True Accuracy Of The Gps

[+Patuxent Pirates]

I really would like to know what the accuracy is of my GPS. It seems that even with WAAS, the GPS is only good to maybe 25ft or so. I am not complaining though, if it were as easy as following the GPS right to the cache that wouldn't be as fun. However, there are times when I wish it were just a little better at pointing me in the right direction. That 100ft scale doesn't help when you get to the spot and it turns out that the cache is 50ft away in a target rich environment with lots of downed & hollow trees, debris, etc. If it’s not WAAS then I have noticed that your "on target" probability goes down considerably but is WAAS really that much better?

 

Edited December 2, 2003 by SoMDCacherz

[+Prime Suspect]

You're usually better off with WAAS turned off. See this thread.

[+apersson850]

Also, accuray varies from time to time, even at the same location.

[+Renegade Knight]

A year ago WAAS seemed to make my GPS worse off for its reported accuracy. A year later I turned it on and forgot that I had it on. Over time I started to notice that my EPE was lower than I normally see. When I turned off WAAS my EPE was back to the normal 20-25'. With WAAS after running it for awhile I was used to seeing 8-15'.

[+Scott Johnson]

WAAS on? WAAS off?

 

Mine is always on, there is no way to turn it off. My EPE varies from 7-13 usually, and on a bad day 20 feet. We have the technology...why would we not use it?

 

I find that if I get a good Satelite lock... and let it sit (i.e. on a stump) for a couple minutes WAAS averaging, as Magellan calls it, puts me pretty close to target.

[Kerry.]

True accuracy? is not as good as what many would have one (or like to) believe. Still many misconceptions with regards accuracy in general let alone true accuracy.

 

Cheers, Kerry.