+3isamagic# Posted May 9, 2013 Share Posted May 9, 2013 I just got a new gps (explorist 510) and had a horrible time figuring out all the quirks, but finally it is working like I want it to. I have watched just about every youtube video there is on how to use a gps to geocache and most of it I knew. The one thing that surprised me is that some people use the map screen to navigate to the cache and some people use the compass. What do you use and why? Quote Link to comment
+hukilaulau Posted May 9, 2013 Share Posted May 9, 2013 map screen to make sure I'm on the right side of lakes, major highways, etc. Then compass to get to the cache. Quote Link to comment
+Sharks-N-Beans Posted May 9, 2013 Share Posted May 9, 2013 Our Dakota 10 map is pretty crappy so we use the compass. Do do use our nuvi to drive as close as we can. Quote Link to comment
+Sagefox Posted May 9, 2013 Share Posted May 9, 2013 Always maps until we get within a 1/4 mile, or so, and then over to the compass. When navigating with the Nuvi in the car I will put the handheld on compass. Both gps units typically are dash or windshield mounted so I can simply grab the handheld on the way out of the car. The compass almost always works best when on the ground heading to the cache but sometimes, with a difficult cache, I will switch back to the map to see how my tracks relate to the cache. However... in the Pacific Northwest geocacher Moun10bike has a trail map program (Switchbacks.com) that has most the public trails on maps that we can load into our handhelds. So for caches involving trails I will typically use the map to help chose the correct trail. That is a real slick deal when there are multiple trails or when the trail heads off in a different direction from the cache. It eliminates a lot of bushwhacking. Quote Link to comment
+rdtorres3 Posted May 9, 2013 Share Posted May 9, 2013 map screen to make sure I'm on the right side of lakes, major highways, etc. Then compass to get to the cache. Same here ... Quote Link to comment
+The A-Team Posted May 9, 2013 Share Posted May 9, 2013 I have a Garmin Oregon 450, so it's different than what you have, but I use the map with a twist. One of the data fields I can choose to display at the top of the map is called "Pointer". This is essentially a basic compass pointer that points in the direction of your destination. That way I have the map available to see the trails, roads, and other features, as well as an arrow pointing in the direction I need to go, all without needing to change views. I very rarely use the compass screen. Quote Link to comment
+3isamagic# Posted May 9, 2013 Author Share Posted May 9, 2013 nobody uses the map to the cache??!?? I have always mapped.....hmmm Quote Link to comment
+spotter/g Posted May 9, 2013 Share Posted May 9, 2013 Like most things I do, I do them differently. I like to use the map only. Even back with my Sportrak I used the map, and it was just the base map with no topo. I like the map screen because I think it helps me visualize where the cache is. I use it track up, so that I can see where I should try to head towards. I also like to see how I am walking across the ground. Must be the art school in me, It's just more 'visual'. Quote Link to comment
+Gitchee-Gummee Posted May 9, 2013 Share Posted May 9, 2013 With our Delorme, we map all the way, zooming the screen in as necessary to 10 ft. BUT, we always have a N indicator at the top of the screen and since having used maps for better than 50 yrs, it bothers me in the least to function without a GPSr compass. A lensatic compass is in my pocket at all times, anyway. The real key to compass use is knowing HOW to properly use it, WHEN you need to. Just because it points to N doesn't necessarily get you out of the woods. Many think they are following the compass on their GPSr, but they aren't. They aren't truly reading a compass, they are following the Pointer (that just happens to be on the compass dial) which points in the direction of the cache coordinates. That is not reading and using a compass. It is no different than following the arrow on the map screen. Maybe it sounds a bit nit-picky, but there is a difference. It can equate to a major difference upon occasion. If one ventures far enough from their normal realm, they really ought to learn proper use of a compass. Luckily, the majority of cache placements hardly require the use of a compass, a pointer suffices well enough (until you run out of batteries). :lol: :lol: Quote Link to comment
+redwoodkestrel Posted May 9, 2013 Share Posted May 9, 2013 I only use the map. I have a pretty good set of topos with my GPSr so it's generally easy to understand where the cache is relative to where I am. I also use the feature that draws a line between me and the cache, so as long as my arrow is pointing along that line I know I'm heading in the right direction. Quote Link to comment
+gpsblake Posted May 9, 2013 Share Posted May 9, 2013 Compass and map with the Garmin. Most Garmin's made today allow you to have the compass on top (geocaching dashboard) and the map screen below. Even the Etrex 10 now has that feature. Compass with the Magellan's (although they screw up the compass as it always points up in the center) The green arrow is always pointing up no matter what. Quote Link to comment
+Sagefox Posted May 9, 2013 Share Posted May 9, 2013 ...They aren't truly reading a compass, they are following the Pointer (that just happens to be on the compass dial) which points in the direction of the cache coordinates. Yep. The compass is usually just a familiar graphic for me. I seldom pay attention to the actual compass unless it is necessary to calculate bearing to final on a puzzle or multi-cache.. It is the pointer and distance to final that are important. Quote Link to comment
+Team Microdot Posted May 9, 2013 Share Posted May 9, 2013 I flip back and forth between the two really. On occasion, where the topography and features of GZ have the pointer dancing back and forth like a fiddler's elbow, and I really want to try to get to zero, I'll switch to the map screen and gradually 'track in' to the pin that marks the coordinates. This has sometimes helped me find caches that I might not have found otherwise Quote Link to comment
vagabond Posted May 9, 2013 Share Posted May 9, 2013 Always maps until we get within a 1/4 mile, or so, and then over to the compass. When navigating with the Nuvi in the car I will put the handheld on compass. Both gps units typically are dash or windshield mounted so I can simply grab the handheld on the way out of the car. The compass almost always works best when on the ground heading to the cache but sometimes, with a difficult cache, I will switch back to the map to see how my tracks relate to the cache. ^^^^^^ That's about what we do with the Montana 650T Quote Link to comment
+wimseyguy Posted May 9, 2013 Share Posted May 9, 2013 Map view in the car, compass view on the ground. Except when it's a straight shot to the cache, then I use the compass view for the distance countdown. Quote Link to comment
+J Grouchy Posted May 9, 2013 Share Posted May 9, 2013 I use the map view until I get roughly within that 0.1 mile range. I'm one of "those people" that uses a smartphone to cache, though. I can zoom in very easily and go back and forth between views if I'm not certain where I am in relation to it. I don't know how the interface works on the handheld GPS devices, but I imagine it is pretty much the same kind of deal. The compass is not always useful more than 500 feet or so because it obviously just points the straight line to the cache, but in an area with lots of drives or pathways it isn't always obvious which is the best way to access GZ. Quote Link to comment
+BAMBOOZLE Posted May 9, 2013 Share Posted May 9, 2013 While driving I switch from map to compass when I'm about .1 away.....it lets me know what side of the road to park/search. Quote Link to comment
+Heli Leo Posted May 9, 2013 Share Posted May 9, 2013 Nuvii 500 while in car driving to cache area, then the wife or caching buddy use the map in my smart phone and I use the compass in the Garmin 62sc. If I'm by myself I'll use the map in my smart phone to get the general idea of the cache location and the 62sc for the final approach to the cache. Quote Link to comment
+Off Grid Posted May 9, 2013 Share Posted May 9, 2013 I just got a new gps (explorist 510) and had a horrible time figuring out all the quirks, but finally it is working like I want it to. I have watched just about every youtube video there is on how to use a gps to geocache and most of it I knew. The one thing that surprised me is that some people use the map screen to navigate to the cache and some people use the compass. What do you use and why? map first to make sure were on the right side and going along good than the compass later to get the cache Quote Link to comment
Mr.Yuck Posted May 9, 2013 Share Posted May 9, 2013 Map view in the car, compass view on the ground. Except when it's a straight shot to the cache, then I use the compass view for the distance countdown. This is the answer. For me too, at least. Quote Link to comment
tomowens Posted May 9, 2013 Share Posted May 9, 2013 Compass all the way for me including driving from miles away. That, for me, makes figuring out how to get there a lot more fun. It also usually means a few extra miles or circling around a bit until I get close enough to park. I think of the map as 'cheating'. Quote Link to comment
+wimseyguy Posted May 9, 2013 Share Posted May 9, 2013 Compass all the way for me including driving from miles away. That, for me, makes figuring out how to get there a lot more fun. It also usually means a few extra miles or circling around a bit until I get close enough to park. I think of the map as 'cheating'. Dude-are you still using your original Yellow Etrex? That's awesome! Quote Link to comment
+The_Incredibles_ Posted May 9, 2013 Share Posted May 9, 2013 I have an Oregon 550 and I ONLY use the map. I feel it gives me way more information than the compass screen. Quote Link to comment
+JKMonkey Posted May 9, 2013 Share Posted May 9, 2013 map screen, tried the compass once and it jumped around too much for my liking Quote Link to comment
+macatac1961 Posted May 10, 2013 Share Posted May 10, 2013 map screen, tried the compass once and it jumped around too much for my liking I've gotten used to using just the map screen too. Quote Link to comment
+redsox_mark Posted May 10, 2013 Share Posted May 10, 2013 Map then move to compass when close for me. (No combined compass and map view on my Etex Legend HCx). Quote Link to comment
+Spyros P. Posted May 10, 2013 Share Posted May 10, 2013 Map all the way, zooming in as I get closer to the cache. Of course map is always pointing north, not moving. E-trex30 compass will not do it for me. Quote Link to comment
+cwgrizz Posted May 12, 2013 Share Posted May 12, 2013 I have used the map and then the compass when I get closer as others have said, but after seeing A-Team's post I may try the pointer on the map screen as I also have an Oregon 450. I do like the fact that on the Oregon 450 the compass screen allows for more data ie distance to destination, time, cache name, etc to be displayed. This may still be my preference after trying the Pointer on the map screen. Time will tell. I think a lot of the choices are based on what you start doing and become familiar with. Quote Link to comment
+Sagefox Posted May 12, 2013 Share Posted May 12, 2013 Of course map is always pointing north, not moving. You must be an engineering type guy. It takes a bunch of extra brain power to convert North Up to actual direction of travel at close range. Too tough for me. () Quote Link to comment
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