robotneil Posted March 2, 2006 Share Posted March 2, 2006 Which one should I use and what is the difference? Quote Link to comment
CenTexDodger Posted March 2, 2006 Share Posted March 2, 2006 (edited) It depends. if you are referencing with a map that points to magnetic, then you should set to magnetic, if not then set to true. AFAIK the difference depends on where you are. The magnetic north pole is not at the same spot as the north pole. in some parts of the world the north pole will be aligned with the magnetic north pole, so there will be no deviation. in other area it can be as much as 7 or 8 degrees off true north. Edited March 2, 2006 by CenTexDodger Quote Link to comment
robotneil Posted March 2, 2006 Author Share Posted March 2, 2006 It depends. if you are referencing with a map that points to magnetic, then you should set to magnetic, if not then set to true. AFAIK the difference depends on where you are. The magnetic north pole is not at the same spot as the north pole. in some parts of the world the north pole will be aligned with the magnetic north pole, so there will be no deviation. in other area it can be as much as 7 or 8 degrees off true north. My GPS unit says it is 3 degrees off with magnetic. So I just set it back to true north. Thank You. Quote Link to comment
+bob393 Posted March 2, 2006 Share Posted March 2, 2006 It all depends on what you are doing. Hiking, magnetic. Maps true. At least that is what I do. Quote Link to comment
rmm200 Posted March 2, 2006 Share Posted March 2, 2006 7 or 8 degrees - I wish... Today in San Jose the magnetic declination is 14' 34" E. If I followed the compass North to San Francisco I would probably wind up in Fresno. (exageration for effect). Robert Quote Link to comment
Neo_Geo Posted March 3, 2006 Share Posted March 3, 2006 In Washington state, it's between 18º and 20º. Quote Link to comment
planewood Posted March 3, 2006 Share Posted March 3, 2006 Which one should I use and what is the difference? Generally you use true north. Magnetic north changes with time. In eastern OKLA the magnetic declination is +3.5 degrees, today. It is changing at about 7 seconds per year. If someone made a map referenced to magnetic north, then they would also have to put a date on the map. The viewer would then have to figure out what the magnetic declination was at the time the map was drafted and work accordingly. You can get an estimate of magnetic declination by pointing N on a compass at the north star and then seeing where the needle settles. Although the north pole is wobbling so in 10,000 years that might not be true! Quote Link to comment
CenTexDodger Posted March 3, 2006 Share Posted March 3, 2006 That is why I disclaimered it with an "AFAIK" Quote Link to comment
+EScout Posted March 3, 2006 Share Posted March 3, 2006 I use True North for everything. Maps use true, and it keeps everything consistent. My compass has a declination adjustment so it gives true also. 3 of my placed caches involve projections and/or triangulation. I used True North because I do not want to update my cache instructions every 10 to 20 years.................... Quote Link to comment
+Freebee & 007 Posted March 3, 2006 Share Posted March 3, 2006 I do not want to update my cache instructions every 10 to 20 years.................... Lazy! Quote Link to comment
robotneil Posted March 3, 2006 Author Share Posted March 3, 2006 I do not want to update my cache instructions every 10 to 20 years.................... Lazy! Wow, when I got my Explorist 300, it was defaulted for magnetic? Is that because it has an electronic compass? If so should I leave the default of should I turn the magnetic compass off and use true? Or any combination of the above? What would you do for geocaching? Quote Link to comment
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