Has GPS dumbed down your bushwalking experience?

[mrpotter]

I've got a nice collection of photos of the National Parks info boards. They're a pretty good resource. Every time I see one I photo it. Finding them on Google Images is also more informative and easier than looking for comprehensive web pages on the topic. Who needs books?

[Clusterpod]

I don't understand that emoticon. Is it an eyeroll? Are you suggesting my statement is stupid? Oh dear. My opinion is a stupid one

Ah, how non-verbal can be mis-interpreted! I apologise. I was barely expressing my curiosity with that emoticon.

A mapping GPS allows me to navigate and return to areas that are lacking in landmarks and contour. The Great Western Woodland springs to mind, say the bush up above Jaurdi station, or out east of Lake Ballard. Its flat flat flat, and the scrub is sparse and above head height. Not much fun finding where you are if you even a bit lost.

I can mark and return to individual flora of interest quickly and easily.
I can accurately plot fauna sightings quickly and easily and map out distribution.
I can explore places without water for longer, and with greater confidence.

Good use of GPS! Biologist?

Ah I apologise. I was temporarily struck dumb by the use of GPS making people "douchebags" and "idiots" and didn't think it through before typing.

No, I'm no biologist, just a keen amateur naturalist and photographer! ( http://www.clusterpod.com )

My Mum is a wildlife artist with an almost photographic memory, and she can return to a particular tree ten years later! Not me, I need electronic aid.

[Son of a Beach]

That's an unusual statement. Could you please elaborate?

Trails aren't correctly aligned to their real locations. Many trails aren't mapped at all. At least thats the case here in the Blue Mountains

Oh, I see. I thought that you were implying that it's impossible to find maps for a mapping GPS device that are as accurate as paper maps. Sorry for the misunderstanding.

I have all my paper maps scanned, georeferenced (calibrated) and on my handheld device, so they are just as accurate as on paper. In fact, I consider them to be more accurate, because if I choose to use it to double-check where I am, it pin-points my current location precisely on the map, whereas with my paper map and compass (I which I do still use a lot), I'm sometimes not as certain - particularly when visibility is poor.

[GPSGuided]

No, I'm no biologist, just a keen amateur naturalist and photographer! ( http://www.clusterpod.com )
My Mum is a wildlife artist with an almost photographic memory, and she can return to a particular tree ten years later! Not me, I need electronic aid.

Very nice photos! I have to say, I have never had the patience to do a proper macro/micro whilst on a walk. Love them when they are done properly. Very interesting to hear how you are using a GPS to better your pursuit.

[nq111]

How are you finding the use of GPS in dense rain forests? Have you had trouble with signal acquisition?

No problems as yet actually.

The only place i have ever lost signal out in the bush was under a big, overhanging cliff. But only one, other cliffs have been ok.

[Ent]

Sounds like a case to become an OSM mapper.

Considered doing this, but the plots I get from Endomondo are a good illustration of how inaccurate GPS can be. Particularly in canyons etc. where GPS signal can be lost entirely. I can get my hands on a differential GPS with centimetre accuracy (surveyors use them), but then the problem is loss of realtime Internet required for the NTRIP signal. They're also a weighty bit of kit. So I'm not all that sure any map I make would be any better than whats already available.

While a GPS is no way as accurate as the indicated accuracy would lead you to believe. plus how it is carried makes a huge difference I am however often amazed how good it is when following my own GPX traces uploaded to OSM. I find five metre precision rather common and never had a problem finding the missing track. A Garmin 62S is remarkably good providing it gets a clear view of the sky. I carry it in the top pack pocket or high on the shoulder strap and it does a good job. Steep sided canyons can cause it to jump about with my favorite testing ground the Launceston George. The traces will jump around a bit and the better the GPS and better placed the less it will jump around. Still when walking in such a canyon generally you are on the path. One thing is certain it is far more accurate than working from paper maps. We went cross country in snow to the Moses Creek Track dear old Tasmap had the track running down the bottom of the valley. I had uploaded on OSM a rather dodgy GPX track but when we abandoned Tasmap and went with that we found the track quick smart.

There is a bit of technique to setup a GPS to record the best accuracy and simple placement makes a huge difference. Also the model. My 62S can find a signal quickly and even a much cheaper Extrex 10 does ok but my Garmin Fenix is terrible finding a signal but once locked on is not too bad. While smartphones do an impressive job a dedicated GPS like the 62S shines in challenging conditions.

Cheers

[sthughes]

I've also found the latest GPS with GLONASS support much better in canyons etc.

[greyim]

635m to the next waypoint
Aggghhh #@!%$

[mikethepike]

Ahhh here we go.. I have walked with a couple of annoying douchebags that walk with their faces locked onto the GPS, SO annoying!

Pardon your French please ILT!!

I often tend to walk between major land marks which could be a days walking apart and without paying much attention to the detail of where I am> In the meantime however, If I come to some interesting terrain feature and want to mark its location on the map, it's only since I've carried a GPS that I've been able to accurately do this. I also had a 'Rum Doodle' incident last year when I topped a jumbly range expecting to be at its named high point only to find i was nearly a km too far north. While I was suspicious that I might not be at the right location, having the GPS confirmed it. Also, where I often walk, GPSing the location of outlying cactus and passing on the coordinates to the Control Board helps in its control or eradication.

[Taurë-rana]

For me a GPS provides the security that a) I can find my way back to the car! b) I am where I think I am (or not) on the map, and c) I'm really at the highest point for peak bagging purposes. I can get a bit panicky in the middle of the bush in heavy going or in fog so the GPS is very reassuring. I wandered about all over the top of Mt Tyndall by myself one day in the fog/rain with no concern because I marked the start of the track down on the GPS. Makes for a much more relaxed walk.

I don't have maps on my GPS, prefer to read a paper map, and plot my position from the GPS on to the map.

[TerraMer]

However, I always carry my ancient GPSr along if there are geocaches along the way. Even then, I only turn it on when I'm close to the cache.

Soon, there'll be a movement for geocaching san-GPS. Let's get serious and hard core on this!

No! Not a muggle!

[akl168]

However, I always carry my ancient GPSr along if there are geocaches along the way. Even then, I only turn it on when I'm close to the cache.

Soon, there'll be a movement for geocaching san-GPS. Let's get serious and hard core on this!

It's funny you should mention this. We were having a leisurely lunch on top of Boronia Peak (Grampians) a few weeks ago, when I spied something odd in one of the cracks. I had not planned on caching at all, so I was GPSr-less. Thinking someone had stuffed trash in there, I reached in and pulled it out. It was a micro sized container - we had found a cache without even trying! The best part of it all, it was my first FTF...

[GPSGuided]

It's funny you should mention this. We were having a leisurely lunch on top of Boronia Peak (Grampians) a few weeks ago, when I spied something odd in one of the cracks. I had not planned on caching at all, so I was GPSr-less. Thinking someone had stuffed trash in there, I reached in and pulled it out. It was a micro sized container - we had found a cache without even trying! The best part of it all, it was my first FTF...

Are you sure it wasn't planted there by one out of your group just 3mins before? Good one!

[dugsuth]

A GPS is a tool, not the work of the devil, and it is up to each individual to use, or not use, in what every way they see fit.

+1

I am always amused by people being offended when someone else wants to use something they are opposed to or dislike.

[photohiker]

A GPS is a tool, not the work of the devil, and it is up to each individual to use, or not use, in what every way they see fit.

+1

I am always amused by people being offended when someone else wants to use something they are opposed to or dislike.

+2

Or something they simply have never experienced and/or don't understand.

[stepbystep]

I find I'm using it less and less. I let it track my route from inside the top of my pack and I mark waypoints such as the track head, access gullies for high plateau and camp sites. I much prefer to not look at the device but the terrain. If I make a mistake so-be-it.

I do like to check out the data when back at home, and it's a get out of jail if things get a bit dicey navigation wise especially in foul weather.

[roysta]

How simple is Memory Maps making it these days.
My god, I like the map and compass but really, when someone in the party brings out the mobile with MM and says " look" , you kind of have to think about it.

[Lindsay]

Mine remains switched off. I use it occasionally only as a check of my map reading. On at least one occasion it has made me rethink my position before I became navigationally embarrassed.

[Happy Pirate]

Curious. Do people find that handheld GPS mapping devices (Garmin to iPhone etc) have dumbed down their bushwalking experiences? With just a map and compass, it's not uncommon to mis-places oneself and get lost here and there. With a high resolution GPS/GLONASS device, one pretty much always know where one is precisely. Does this take away some of the fun of that "lost in the bush" experience?

Discuss.

Personally, I have mixed feeling about it. I like playing with gadgets and it's another thing to do before, during and after the walk/s. I do miss that occasional "lost in space" feel and the fun it brings.

G P what ??? ...*ahem*
Seriously..
I was once at the car park at Wallaman Falls in FNQ. And for those that don't know it's a grueling 50m wander from the car park to the paved and fenced lookout. And if you had problems with the distance you could halve it by cutting across the picnic ground.
last time I was at 'da Falls I watched in anthropological bemusement as a group of backpackers emerged from a rented 4wd, bedecked in appropriate khaki with hunting knives strapped to thighs and congregated around a GPS , waiting for a fix before setting off for the challenging 50m wander along the paved path to the fenced lookout.

[Happy Pirate]

Curious. Do people find that handheld GPS mapping devices (Garmin to iPhone etc) have dumbed down their bushwalking experiences? With just a map and compass, it's not uncommon to mis-places oneself and get lost here and there. With a high resolution GPS/GLONASS device, one pretty much always know where one is precisely. Does this take away some of the fun of that "lost in the bush" experience?

Discuss.

Personally, I have mixed feeling about it. I like playing with gadgets and it's another thing to do before, during and after the walk/s. I do miss that occasional "lost in space" feel and the fun it brings.

G P what ??? ...*ahem*
Seriously..
I was once at the car park at Wallaman Falls in FNQ. And for those that don't know it's a grueling 50m wander from the car park to the paved and fenced lookout. And if you had problems with the distance you could halve it by cutting across the picnic ground.
last time I was at 'da Falls I watched in anthropological bemusement as a group of backpackers emerged from a rented 4wd, bedecked in appropriate khaki with hunting knives strapped to thighs and congregated around a GPS , waiting for a fix before setting off for the challenging 50m wander along the paved path to the fenced lookout.

That being said I regularly use GPS to plot where I've been and overlay on a map.
There's a HUGE difference between relying on GPS for navigation and utilising GPS for retrospective mapping.
Steve

[GPSGuided]

That being said I regularly use GPS to plot where I've been and overlay on a map.
There's a HUGE difference between relying on GPS for navigation and utilising GPS for retrospective mapping.

Yes Steve, that's like flipping through one's photo album (or iPhoto these days). Keeps the memory and inciting more ideas for future walks. I like it too.

[michael_p]

Soon, there'll be a movement for geocaching san-GPS. Let's get serious and hard core on this!

There are cachers who find geocaches by map and compass.

[GPSGuided]

There are cachers who find geocaches by map and compass.

Hats off to them in their micro-cache hunts!

[Happy Pirate]

Soon, there'll be a movement for geocaching san-GPS. Let's get serious and hard core on this!

There are cachers who find geocaches by map and compass.

All Hail Those followers of M&C!

That being said I regularly use GPS to plot where I've been and overlay on a map.
There's a HUGE difference between relying on GPS for navigation and utilising GPS for retrospective mapping.

Yes Steve, that's like flipping through one's photo album (or iPhoto these days). Keeps the memory and inciting more ideas for future walks. I like it too.

Exactly!
Although I usually Geek-out with a GIS program and some aerial imagery and imagine where I could extend a future walk.

Steve

[GPSGuided]

Although I usually Geek-out with a GIS program and some aerial imagery and imagine where I could extend a future walk.

The day of virtual bushwalking is coming!

[Happy Pirate]

Nooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!
(There's No Place Like Home, There's No Place Like Home, There's No Place Like Home, There's No Place Like Home.........)
S

[Happy Pirate]

Although I usually Geek-out with a GIS program and some aerial imagery and imagine where I could extend a future walk.

The day of virtual bushwalking is coming!

Google Trekker camera is available to hire so you can map your local trail like in Google Street view:
https://docs.google.com/a/google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dGdFd053cU9wdXVOMjJuRHdzZnVkcEE6MQ#gid=0

[Happy Pirate]

Soon you'll be able to hike the Overland Track in the safe virtual environment without ever leaving the safety of your Vat (of embrionic fluid)!

[GPSGuided]

Yes, I had that Google project in mind. It's going to amazing from a technological point of view but again I'll miss the mystery aspect of walks should I use that service. Otherwise it'll keep many outdoors type occupied and fit... Maybe we should introduce Google to Dave's New River to Federation expedition as quite a few of us are very interested in seeing the challenges faced and the sceneries of course.

[GPSGuided]

Soon you'll be able to hike the Overland Track in the safe virtual environment without ever leaving the safety of your Vat (of embrionic fluid)!

Yes, I did OLT virtually!