2 25C Horses Posted December 30, 2004 Posted December 30, 2004 I am new to using a GPS for caching, and was wondering if it is best to use True North or Magnetic North. This may be a trivial question but seems a compass works on Magnetic North so I wasn't sure which most folks use. Thanks Quote
+Quoddy Posted December 30, 2004 Posted December 30, 2004 Maps and most other information are based on true north, Ive always used that setting on my 60cs. Occasionally a magnetic north setting is needed to solve a cache compass direction, in which case it's easy enough to switch for that purpose. Quote
+NightPilot Posted December 30, 2004 Posted December 30, 2004 The only time it really makes a difference is if you have to do a projection. For following a route to a cache, it's not really that important. Quote
Alphawolf Posted December 30, 2004 Posted December 30, 2004 It's pretty simple to remember...If you are using your GPS with a compass, then set it to magnetic north, because that's what compasses use. If you are using your GPS with a map, then set it to true north, because that's what maps use. If you are using it without either, then it doesn't make a hill of beans which you use! Hope that helps. Quote
+VisionQuest220 Posted December 30, 2004 Posted December 30, 2004 What if you have a compass that has an adjustment for declination? Should you use True North or Magnetic North? Quote
+Cymbaline Posted December 30, 2004 Posted December 30, 2004 What if you have a compass that has an adjustment for declination? Should you use True North or Magnetic North? If I had that nice a compass, I'd set the delineation on the compass (about 4 degrees in my neck of the woods) to true north, and leave the GPS on true north. All depends on how big a delination you have. Of course, it's all relative - if the cache says "go .3 miles bearing 90 degrees magnetic", then it's time to set the GPS over to magnectic north and leave the compass un-delineated. Quote
+Gonzo-YT Posted December 31, 2004 Posted December 31, 2004 I use true North on the GPS, and set the declination into my compass. I work in UTM and use maps, so that is the best way to go. As others have said, it might or might not matter to you, depending on what you are doing. It can really make a difference though, especially up at my latitude where the declination is 24.5 degrees! Regards, Anthony Quote
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