+hybridgeek Posted October 27, 2006 Share Posted October 27, 2006 Hey folks, I recently got accepted to The National Map Corps, and I noticed they say I should have my GPS set to NAD83. This made me think, "is my gps set to NAD83?" I found out mine is set to WGS84, which should theoretically be newer (by theory they actually number them by the year as with NAD23 and 83). Which one is better to use? I often find myself using hints for caches, and realize, "what if everyone else is marking coordinates using NAD83, and so maybe this is why I'm always off slightly..." Could this be? I wouldn't expect it to be that far off, but should I be using NAD83 for Geocaching, or WGS84 better? What is the difference? I'm taking a cartography class at my community college and we learned NAD83 was the latest, WGS84 wasn't even mentioned. Thanks in advance for the help as always! Hybridgeek Quote Link to comment
+Cardinal Red Posted October 27, 2006 Share Posted October 27, 2006 This is not a new question. The Geocaching standard is WGS84. The National Map Corps standard is NAD83. Good quality maps will generally be in NAD83. Thus the reason a cartography class would consider NAD83 "the latest". There was a time when WGS84 and NAD83 were very nearly identical (within a centimeter or two). Since then, they have both been redefined and can now vary by as much as a meter or two. To your consumer grade GPS, a meter or two is still nearly identical. Your consumer grade GPS can not tell the difference. I have reason to believe that Garmin GPS units (only brand I have ever owned) actually treat them as EXACTLY the same. So use what ever setting makes you feel good. You have to spend several thousand dollars minimum on a Surveyor grade GPS unit before it makes any difference. Quote Link to comment
+hybridgeek Posted October 28, 2006 Author Share Posted October 28, 2006 Thanks! Good to know. I hope the map corps doesn't have a problem with me using an Explorist 600. Hybridgeek Quote Link to comment
+Cardinal Red Posted October 28, 2006 Share Posted October 28, 2006 They realize they are going to get these coords from consumer grade hand held GPS units. Your Explorist will be fine. Quote Link to comment
+Lil Devil Posted October 28, 2006 Share Posted October 28, 2006 Most (all?) consumer GPS units are set to WGS84 out of the box which is why the geocaching standard is WGS84. One less thing for a newbie to worry about. Quote Link to comment
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.