Pick one - Map and compass or GPS

[GPSGuided]

The earlier thread on Apple's highlight of iPads being used in the great outdoors have got me thinking...
viewtopic.php?f=5&t=16383

Out on a featureless plain/desert or snow field, one that's rich with underground iron deposits, which single equipment would you select to help you navigate out? Map and compass combo or a GPS? Of course, we are talking about a highly durable map and quality compass along with a dependable GPS with a good supply of battery power by whatever means.

[Moondog55]

Sorry but 1 option isn't enough as given a reasonable budget I'd be carrying all 3 [ I don't at the moment own an analogue watch] so at the moment i only have the cheap compass and what-ever maps I think I need.
Antarctica or the high Arctic I'd actually pick a sextant first and learn how to use it

[Bubbalouie]

Based on your pseudonym and criteria... I get the feeling your setting up for a specific answer here :p

Given the criteria you'd be best to be GPS guided right...?

More seriously I prefer to use a GPS, but, depending where we're going we will take a compass and map as backup. I find a large map is hard to beat when you want to get a feel for the bigger picture. We have in the past busted out the backup map at night or in the morning just to get an overview of what's happening the next day, a good too map is often nice to have even if you never "need" it.

[GPSGuided]

Sorry but 1 option isn't enough as given a reasonable budget I'd be carrying all 3 [ I don't at the moment own an analogue watch] so at the moment i only have the cheap compass and what-ever maps I think I need.
Antarctica or the high Arctic I'd actually pick a sextant first and learn how to use it

Moondog55, obviously it's a deliberate plot to force people to take the best bet. So which would you take, pick one. All three is not an option.

[Mechanic-AL]

No mention of weather conditions . If it is clouded in or worse the good old sun and stars are going to be pretty worthless. Since this seems to be a set up we should have a few more details on the prevailing conditions!

[Moondog55]

OK I'm sprung

I'd pick the GPS of course; PROVIDED it was a strong, accurate, robust, easy to read unit with Massive duplicate / redundant memory for maps in 1:25000 and exceptional battery life.

[wayno]

you missed out the ipad option....

[GPSGuided]

Based on your pseudonym and criteria... I get the feeling your setting up for a specific answer here :p

LOL! My forum ID has nothing to do with my personal use of the tool. Whilst I can appreciate why there are hard core map/compass advocates and technology bashers here, I think we should keep an open mind that all tools have limitations. Redundancy is good but no tool is perfect. Assuming a good view of the sky, star and sun is not unreasonable I guess.

[GPSGuided]

No mention of weather conditions . If it is clouded in or worse the good old sun and stars are going to be pretty worthless. Since this seems to be a set up we should have a few more details on the prevailing conditions!

Yes and no to a setup. Out in the Australian outback, mineral deposit is not an unknown. Quite realistic I'd say. Ok, even without that iron deposit, on a completely featureless flat plain, a compass and a map may not be enough. A sextant maybe? I guess my angle is, map and compass also have their limits, and potentially quite significant limits. Similar in a dense jungle, finding that land feature may not be that easy nor precise.

[GPSGuided]

OK I'm sprung
I'd pick the GPS of course; PROVIDED it was a strong, accurate, robust, easy to read unit with Massive duplicate / redundant memory for maps in 1:25000 and exceptional battery life.

You wish and you receive. Good one MD55!

[GPSGuided]

you missed out the ipad option....

iPad is but a subcategory of GPS devices, but with a large screen for user interface conveniences.

Early results, 4/7 elected map and compass option. It would be interesting to hear why and how to navigate on such a terrain reliably. Or are people being deliberate and not being objective to the hypothetical scenario?

[sthughes]

I chose GPS. But honestly no matter how reliable and accurate your GPS is, it's still worthless without decent maps. Having a position fix accurate to 3m is little use when you have no idea of your relative position to where you are heading to. GPS AND Map would be my first pick, compass AND map second. In order of reliability of navigation (inc. accuracy and potential for user error) I have found good GPS best, good compass second and "smart" device way, way, way distant 3rd. Hence for me compass backs up gps and iPhone is last resort. Actually waterproof GPS equipped camera would slot in above "smart device" for reliability!

[wayno]

yeah i'm not a fan of the default maps that come with magellans

[GPSGuided]

I think in 2014, one can assume GPS refers to mapping GPS, with good maps installed. The description should have been clearer.

[photohiker]

You forgot to mention the massive EMP that wipes out electronics 10 minutes into the walk.

I'll take my map, dog and carrier pigeon, thanks

[icefest]

You forgot to mention the massive EMP that wipes out electronics 10 minutes into the walk.

I'll take my map, dog and carrier pigeon, thanks

...and the magnetic field reversal due tomorrow.

[sthughes]

I think in 2014, one can assume GPS refers to mapping GPS, with good maps installed. The description should have been clearer.

I still see plenty of people with their flash new etrex 10 asking how to make the maps work! I suspect even in 2014 that is probably Garmin's no. 1 selling GPS?

[neilmny]

Can't pick one option as I always carry a quality topo map and GPS minimum.
I've always got a watch on so regardless if it's digital or analogue, I know the time , I can see the sun
then I can get a rough bearing on where I'm going.

[icefest]

I think in 2014, one can assume GPS refers to mapping GPS, with good maps installed. The description should have been clearer.

I still see plenty of people with their flash new etrex 10 asking how to make the maps work! I suspect even in 2014 that is probably Garmin's no. 1 selling GPS?

Well they are nice and cheap and have an incredible battery life. AFAIR they have the old generation antenna and processor though

[Lindsay]

I use a basic GPS as a cross reference to a map. Don't bother about waypoints, distance run etc. just a grid reference I can relate to my trusty topo.

[icefest]

What do people do when the wind is blowing at over 100km? Do you still use a map?

[GPSGuided]

You forgot to mention the massive EMP that wipes out electronics 10 minutes into the walk.
I'll take my map, dog and carrier pigeon, thanks

LOL! That massive EMP also reconfigured the genetic make up of the individual and mutates into "The One". An all knowing being! No more need for compass, map, GPS and crosses b/n reality and the Matrix... The pigeon then got taken out by a dingo.

[GPSGuided]

What do people do when the wind is blowing at over 100km? Do you still use a map?

Stop, dig and bunk down until the wind dies down. X marks the spot... Don't move.

Still, the map/compass electors still haven't come out to explain how they are going to navigate on this iron rich flat land. In the meantime, I'd be so glad I didn't choose the GPS or the stars. I would have just sat down and put up a stake for a mining lease and started ringing for potential buyers.

[radson]

Back in 2012, we cached a tent and used a GPS to mark the location. We returned to that location and soooo glad that we marked the spot with a GPS. Never could have found it with a map. Well, to be fair, not with my skills anyways.


Can you spot Camp 3? by radson1, on Flickr

[walkon]

Map and compass for me. As long as the sun is out I have a fair idea of where north is, by this I mean shadows and marking them. So unless there's a CAT 3 cyclone that blows my map away, the mag field turns and I hit my head losing memory of the landmarks around me I'm good. But then if I lost my memory I'd be good anyway

[perfectlydark]

Id prefer gps in most situations and happy to admit it. Most of my walks are pretty simple on track though and dont usually require it. I also bring out a printed map of the track and use it more than gps. So I guess I dont really have 1 method. All have benefits depending on location, trip length and conditions

[nq111]

GPS all the way.

Still useful in thick forest, whiteout, whatever.

Redundancy is my mates GPS

Redundancy after that is the route and topo maps printed onto waterproof paper tucked away in the pack. Yes, still carry a compass as well.

[GPSGuided]

Map and compass for me. As long as the sun is out I have a fair idea of where north is, by this I mean shadows and marking them. So unless there's a CAT 3 cyclone that blows my map away, the mag field turns and I hit my head losing memory of the landmarks around me I'm good. But then if I lost my memory I'd be good anyway

Errr... There's a large iron deposit under you.

[walkon]

Thats why I said if the sun was out I'd know where north roughly is, sticks and shadows mark wait abit mark again. That or look at vegetation, look around at nature and it tells you where north is usually. Cant use that on the ocean so no one method is good for everything. Interesting discussion point as there are plenty of pitfalls to contradict all points.

[GPSGuided]

Smart Walkon. I'll follow your trail.