Co-ordinate trouble

[+UncleMalcy]

I'm sure this will have been covered before, but I'm after a quick answer if possible.

 

I've found a couple of places I want to place a cache, and whilst stood at GZ I have very carefully noted the co-ordinates from my iPhone 6 (using the built in compass app).

I have then double checked the co-ordinates at home using Google Earth.

 

BOTH SETS OF CO-ORDINATES ARE IDENTICAL (Hurrah!)

 

I then fire up Geocaching and begin to register my new cache. When I enter my double checked co-ordinates, the place on the map is about 400 yard off - totally incorrect. WHY?

 

So, my questions are

1. Why is this happening?

2. Is there a better way (with my iPhone)?

3. Am I doing something daft?

4. How do you do it??

 

I am considering changing my name to Uncle Frustrated !!!

 

Thank you in advance.

 

Uncle Malcs

[+Touchstone]

The most obvious question would be what coordinate format are you using. The acceptable formats on the submission forms are:

 

Coordinate Formats

 

Coordinates can be entered in any of the formats below (degree, minute and second symbols are optional):

 

N 39 03.857 W 145 12.263

N 26 42.773 E 174 32.406

N 39° 03' 51.420" W 145° 12' 15.780"

39.064280, -145.204380

S 48.8690° E 003.8225°

 

I just tried it out on my home location using the compass app, and it looked pretty close on the Preview Map on the submission page.

[+UncleMalcy]

I can get the co-ordinates in (I understand the format requirements) .... they are just not the same location. The iPhone co-ords match GoogleEarth, but they appear a few hundred yards off when I enter them into Geocaching.

 

HELP !!

[+Gitchee-Gummee]

400 yards off usually means that you are trying to mix differing formats.

 

My iPhone (5) compass uses Degree-Minutes-Seconds and I have not found it to be switchable.

Google Earth (default) is Degree-Minutes-Seconds, but is switchable.

Geocaching.com (default) uses Degree Decimal-Minutes... that too, is switchable.

 

I see that you have found six caches. Did you find them with your phone? If so, which app are you using?

You can obtain proper coordinates easily from most any (geocaching) app -- on both of the Groundspeak apps, your current position is always displayed in the compass window.

 

Giving us an example of BOTH sets of coordinates may help to ID the problem.

[+Bear and Ragged]

Datum.

Co-ordinate format.

 

Worth a read, written by one of the UK Reviewers.

Coordinates and Map Datums

[+UncleMalcy]

As I suspected, the young, dynamic and good-looking Geocaching fraternity have nailed it.

Thank you.

The answers were all there if I had looked properly, but I have to say that it isn't entirely clear to the newbie...

 

Thanks again, you lovely people. *raises his first beer of the evening (5.30pm lol) in salute*

[BOBBLES WORLD TOUR]

Now all you need to do is get past the reviewers!

Bon Chance mon ami!

I'll savour a "screwdriver" for you!

Edited June 20, 2015 by Joluc