Old School ?

MtnManLeap · 02-10-2010, 03:28 PM

What I wanna know is ............ GPS or Old School Land Navigation ?
I love my maps! I was given my first compass at age 7, and got lost the next day......... someone forgot to explain the magic. The good news is I have figured it out.
Just picked up a new altimeter, and my Osprey map case is on the way.

woodzman · 02-11-2010, 08:22 AM

I'm old school. If I'm in an area that I'm not familiar with, or when I'm in big woods, I carry a compass. The only time I ever had a problem, was once in the Adirondacks. Due to iron deposits in the ground, my compass said north was south, but after walking a short ways, the needle swung back around to where it should have been. Other than that, I've never had a problem and trust my compass 100%.

BigBackyard · 02-12-2010, 08:40 AM

I don't own a GPS system and I don't like them. Sat nav causes a lot of accidents on the roads, people get distracted. I don't like them. At least your map doesn't argue with you

looey · 02-12-2010, 12:07 PM

A little of both to keep things spicy. GPS it cool but its for backup as sometimes we all need to get a little lost before we get found (or before we find ourselves in the process).

failghe · 02-17-2010, 08:25 PM

Map and compass is fun to use and should not lead you down the wrong path as long as you read them correctly.
GPS also should lead you down the correct path as long as you can get sat. signal through trees and such. It also has fun gadgets on mine such as good fishing and hunting times according to moon phase and time of year, it tells me average walking speed and tracks me on map, etc.
Both are fun to use. I like them both.

Dreamer · 02-21-2010, 12:47 PM

I don't have a GPS either but I do get lost easily so if I am going somewhere unfamiliar I either get directions or have to print off a map. Once I have been somewhere I don't have a problem finding it though.

Lightfoot · 02-21-2010, 08:48 PM

I use both. A GPS isn't always reliable because it can't pick up in every area, but it is great when it works.

Newanderthal · 03-02-2010, 04:07 PM

GPS's are great, but using them too often creates a dependance on them. One should always know how to use a map, compass and basic land navigation. If you're dependant on the GPS, what do you do when the batteries go out?

HappyFeet · 03-12-2010, 07:24 AM

I always have a GPS in my backpack in case I need to get home immediately. I use the old techniques of following trails and rivers for me not to get lost. Make sure that you know where you are heading by looking at the position of the sun.

2coastcamper · 03-13-2010, 02:56 PM

I'll admit I've never actually used my GPS to find out where I'm going when I'm on the trails. I do love it, however, to find out where I've been. My absolute favorite thing about my GPS is being able to hook it up to the computer and download the tracks. It gives you all kinds of neat information, like total climb, the exact miles you traveled, total time, average speed. It's pretty cool. Whenever I go into a new area, I usually mark my car as a waypoint, to have the GPS lead me back if I need to, but I've never even used it for that.

Basically, I use mine as a grown-up toy. I don't think I'd trust it with my life.