Gps Drift

[+buck09]

So I've got about 30 finds under my belt, and set off looking for my first micro. I get to where I should be and nothing is in sight. Generally when I'm looking for a cache, I'll walk away and approach from several different directions to zero in on where I need to be. Same thing for this cache, and it kept leading me to the same spot, which was about 25 feet away from where I needed to be.

 

Also worth noting - I was at the top of a high hill, had 18 ft. accuracy and plenty of satellites in view. Now I thought that for accuracy, it could be 18ft on any/all sides of you and that multiple approaches would help you figure out more exactly where the site was.

 

Is it possible for a GPS unit to experience a constant "drift" in one direction or another??

[+Stunod]

You might have ended up right where the coordinates should lead you. Maybe the placer didn't get a good fix.

 

25' off is not bad. If you had 18' accuracy and the placer did too, you could have been 36' off.

 

Just be glad you found it!!

[+fly46]

I agree. It could have been error on the part of the placer, which is why your gpsr was consistantly off from the actual location of the cache. When a cache is placed, the placer is supposed to average multiple attempts at getting the location's cords, and if they don't, that, too could account for the error.

 

Of course, personally, I'm impressed that you actually found a micro. I have so much trouble with finding regular ones, that I've chosen not to look for anything that small! lol.

[Kerry.]

Is it possible for a GPS unit to experience a constant "drift" in one direction or another??

No, but many things cause GPS drift and all combine to account for an unpredictable error rate that is generally less than a specificed value but not predictable in direction.

 

Cheers, Kerry.