Pick one - Map and compass or GPS

[icefest]

I think there is a large disparity in between generations in what they class as more reliable.

[perfectlydark]

To some extent but you will find people at either end have different preferences. Who knows what advances will be in say 50 years (my money is on implanted durable computer chips powered through our own bodies)

[Orion]

A troll of course. I mean, who would choose to walk there? And if you were somehow forced into a survival situation there how likely is it that you'd also happen to have your choice of navigational aid with you?

I have a different question. A GPS is a great tool but I normally have no need for one. On one occasion when I needed to take a GPS I found that it was unreliable in a deep forested valley, precisely where I needed it most in order to figure out which of the many similar ridges I should climb. A GPS would have been the ticket there had it worked. Instead we had to guess.

So what is the best navigational tool under those conditions: thick forest in a deep valley ?

[jjoz58]

"Errr... There's a large iron deposit under you" Not a problem. Except between 11am and 1pm, use your watch and point the 12 at the sun. North is halfway between the 12 and the hour hand. It's not rocket science.

I carry and use both, but usually I just use a map and work map to ground. If I must choose one it's map and compass. Just a side bar, after 20 years in the infantry, all sorts of terrain, 49 odd countries, I've never been in featureless terrain. There is always some features there, if you're good enough at reading a map.

[jjoz58]

Orion - map compass and paces. Only way to go in the J.

[GPSGuided]

A troll of course. I mean, who would choose to walk there? And if you were somehow forced into a survival situation there how likely is it that you'd also happen to have your choice of navigational aid with you?

I have a different question. A GPS is a great tool but I normally have no need for one. On one occasion when I needed to take a GPS I found that it was unreliable in a deep forested valley, precisely where I needed it most in order to figure out which of the many similar ridges I should climb. A GPS would have been the ticket there had it worked. Instead we had to guess.

So what is the best navigational tool under those conditions: thick forest in a deep valley ?

It's called a hypothetical! Don't get it?

In a thick forest? Guess that also depends on what other land features one can see. In a dense jungle without adequate visual for ground features, mapping will be just as difficult. But if a clearing could be found, then the mapping GPS may be more useful than a map+compass. Don't forget also, a standard handheld mapping GPS unit also has an electronic compass.

[walkon]

hey Gpsguided

I was up on the Wellington plains over the weekend and on Saturday it was thick low cloud cover. At one stage when I pulled out the compass where ever I pointed was north. I had a laugh thinking about this post at the time. No sun, 3 meter vis, bad ground (compass was working earlier) I certainly had to put my words into use; re bush will give you north. I got to where I wanted to go with no use of a GPS, though one would have made it quicker. I still would have ticked the map and compass option if I were to do it again though.

[GPSGuided]

I was up on the Wellington plains over the weekend and on Saturday it was thick low cloud cover. At one stage when I pulled out the compass where ever I pointed was north. I had a laugh thinking about this post at the time. No sun, 3 meter vis, bad ground (compass was working earlier) I certainly had to put my words into use; re bush will give you north. I got to where I wanted to go with no use of a GPS, though one would have made it quicker. I still would have ticked the map and compass option if I were to do it again though.

LOL! Not so hypothetical after all. But logic, logic in the choice of tools...

[greyhairwalker]

I would pick map & compass. At the age of 70, having been hiking long before GPS, am used to taking bearings with compass, reading maps and having a good idea of the lie of the land from the maps. Picking out various landmarks etc to walk towards becomes 2nd nature after years of experience of map reading, compass bearings etc.
I'm not to sure about completely trusting an electronic device and not having map & compass. I like the GPS in the car though.

[Empty]

I don't own a GPS and would like to think I never will. If they ever stop printing topos though that decision my be taken out of my hands.

Not that I have anything against technology it's just that I love maps - would read them for fun. Not having to carry around a lumpy bit of battery guzzling weight is appealing as well.

When I am orienteering or rogaining a map and compass go hand in hand but for bush walking it is all about the map. I carry a compass but it rarely sees the light of day. In fact I can only remember one occasion where I have had to use a compass bush walking.

Knowing how to tell your position on a map from the surrounding landscape is very satisfying as well as very assuring.

[Bluegum Mic]

I must admit I carry all 3. I love nothing more than when I sit down at lunch or at the end of the day to ponder over my map. As for navigation I must say it depends on the walk but I'll be the first to admit I'm not the supreme godess of map n compass use. I can use them but if in really tricky terrain I'll happily admit I'm not the greatest. For quick reference I'll grab the gps for sure. I do tend to usually always walk with someone though if off track so the navigation is usually shared/consensus. I really should get better at it though as I'd love to able to more ski touring once the kidlettes are older.

[pugwombat]

I'm with you Mic. You would have all three. They are all useful for different aspects of enjoying being away from civilization. I remember a bushwalk we did in the Snowy Mountains, where we had to intersect a rough (concealed) track heading off to the north. We strode past it to a creek in a deeply incised valley and the map users got their maps and compasses out and waved them around. "We need to go further", they said. I got my GPS out and said, we've already gone too far. They preferred their maps. I pointed out that the creek they thought we had reached was flowing the wrong way on the map. They reluctantly agreed and we went back up the hill and using the GPS found the track (marked on the map but not on the GPS). No iron deposit to confuse the map users, just a lack of landmarks.