Co-ordinate Formats

[+bear&fox]

Good day geocachers,

 

I'm fairly new to this business, but so far I have a query regarding the co-ordinate formats in use. Back in the day when I first learnt to navigate, we used a .XX second system (i.e. 33°50.45S), whereas nowadays I see that part contains three digits.

 

How does this relate to the older system?

 

Thanks,

Bernard

[WH]

The most common format for geocaching is DD MM.MMM

 

Instead of using seconds, we use decimal minutes:

 

If you take the seconds portion and divide it by 60, you will get decimal minutes

 

45/60 = .75

 

33°50.45S = 33°50.750

 

Hope this helps.

[+bear&fox]

That makes perfectly good sense, thank you kindly.

 

Bernard