GPS-Go Play in the Snow?

**Asiel** · 12-30-2009, 02:29 PM

I find it handy since I'm very directionally challenged. I have to adapt my left for my right and vice versa which gets me lost many timmes . The GSP has gotten me out of many situations but if I were to drive totally unknown territory I'm not sure I would trust it, probably would follow up with the good old fashioned road maps.

**DJFyrewolf36** · 12-30-2009, 05:53 PM

My mom worked as a surveyor and map maker for many years...I grew up knowing my arse from true north lol. I also competed in orentering (sp?) in high school so I can has read a map!

I don't trust home GPS units any more than I can throw them because the civilian GPS satalites are NOT the same as the ones the government uses and the accuracy isn't verified nearly as well.
Google Maps on my phone works well...even when I know the directions are bogus I can look at the provided map and figure my way out of most situations. If Im in a remote area that Google doesn't cover, Ill trust a good paper map.

If a paper map fails there is always bread crumbs!

**Lady's Human** · 12-30-2009, 06:43 PM

Originally Posted by DJFyrewolf36

I don't trust home GPS units any more than I can throw them because the civilian GPS satalites are NOT the same as the ones the government uses and the accuracy isn't verified nearly as well.

Same satellite cluster, different signal with that used to be munged, but the built in accuracy error was removed by executive order during the Clinton administration.

**DJFyrewolf36** · 12-30-2009, 07:07 PM

Originally Posted by Lady's Human

Same satellite cluster, different signal with that used to be munged, but the built in accuracy error was removed by executive order during the Clinton administration.

Good to know! Satelites aren't perfect though and it would be just my luck to get one with some sort of janky error...

**Lady's Human** · 12-31-2009, 09:38 AM

Originally Posted by DJFyrewolf36

Good to know! Satelites aren't perfect though and it would be just my luck to get one with some sort of janky error...

That's one reason why GPS is so reliable.

To get an accurate 3D location, you need known distance and angle from three points. When I've used my GPS I've rarely had fewer than 7 satellites in "view", which means even if one or two are flaky, there are 5 others that it can use.

**RICHARD** · 12-31-2009, 09:47 AM

Originally Posted by Lady's Human

That's one reason why GPS is so reliable.

Saddam got to see how accurate they were first hand.

Great to know exactly where you are. Getting there is half the problem?

**Lady's Human** · 12-31-2009, 09:52 AM

Originally Posted by RICHARD

Saddam got to see how accurate they were first hand.

I'm still mildly amused that the USAF took out his GPS jamming equipment with a JDAM..........which is a GPS guided bomb.

**RICHARD** · 12-31-2009, 09:32 AM

Originally Posted by DJFyrewolf36

My mom worked as a surveyor and map maker for many years...I grew up knowing my arse from true north lol.

Do you remember the movie, "The Jerk"?

I always think of the scene where Steve Martin's brother pulls out the can of Shinola from his pocket.

A few years back some guy got lost with his daughter on the way back from Lost Vegas. because his GPS gave him directions down a dirt road. He got stuck in some dirt and waited hours for a tow truck.

Morons.