Thread: GPS noob questions!

Outside of the car navigation or Google Maps, I've never owned an "outdoor" GPS device. I have a couple of questions which I've always wondered:

1. Automatic route marking - as I walk do GPS systems automatically track the route so that I can back exactly the way I came in? Does this chew up the battery life? Or do you set them to automatically drop a way point every 100m or something like that to conserve battery life?

2. Getting back to camp efficiently - can devices create an automatic efficient route from the current location back to camp (assuming I dropped a pin there). i.e. fastest route, not necessarily shortest as the crow flies

3. Planning on a computer to mark pins - what's the recommended software these days that will sync things I've planned/marked on the PC back to the GPS device? Or is manually by co-ordinates?

Many thanks!

It sounds like what you want is a smart phone more than a dedicated GPS/GNSS unit.

1. Some units will, but not all. Battery drain should not be significant but it can vary massively based on the device you buy, for example some GNSS chips will do this on chip (so the rest of the device is not using power) by default and could run for months off a battery. Others devices are highly ineffecent and would drain batteries in a few hours.

2. I've never seen that for use in the bush etc... Google maps etc can do this because the walking tracks/roads etc are all marked. In the bush/mountains thats not true. Straight line is easy, but after that it would need to take into account contours so you don't fall off/climb a cliff, rivers and other barriers, unstable ground, foilage and thick ground cover etc etc etc...

3. Again this depends completely on the device you buy.

2. The GPS will never be able to give the most efficient route. Often what looks easiest on a topo map is not the best option when you actually look at the ground/vegetation around you.

All units will give you a direct route (straight line) to the point you want to go and you can modify this by entering waypoints along the way.

If you are sticking to marked tracks the newer gps units like the inreach will lead you home via roads/established tracks.

I have used several different models of Garmin GPS over the last 20 years. Currently using a Rino 750 for work and an Etrex for weekends. Mrs longshot uses a Garmin Instinct for everything.

First answer is yes you can generally set the unit up to drop a breadcrumb trail or track your route, there is usually an option in advanced settings to set the interval. As Mike548141 states, battery drain is device dependent. On the 750 that I use at work, the low power consumption options from memory do not switch off the activity log.
The primary causation I have had for battery drain is screen backlight and use of the built in radio.

Second answer is no. GPS, satellites and mapping software can’t account for supplejack, blackberry and gorse.
In theory a device could be made that could factor in landforms and ‘help’ to plan a route, but in practice the device would not be able to compete with eyes on the ground.
The two day navigation course that MSC offers can provide you with this ability. If you’re not already familiar with navigation in the bush.

Third answer is as per mike548141, it depends on the device you buy, but also how deep you want to go. The almost industry standard for geo-spatial recording and analysis is GIS Arc Map. This software has features way beyond what you want as a hunter. Garmin has a free software package called Basecamp which is a bit clunky but useable if your just syncing and editing waypoints and tracks.

3 depends on what computer you have too. Windows, Mac, Linux or Android.

On Windows I use Memory Map which I prefer to Map Toaster (have used both), I tried to get it onto Linux but it was a no go.

Even Google Earth can get stuff from a GPS. There is also the Open GPS Forum with Garmin Basecamp but it is clunky and I find the desktop maps to be crap at best.

1. What I refer to as a "snail trail". I don't know about other devices but my Garmin 64S does. Extremely useful for me.

2. Not that I'm aware of. Will cetainly give a straight line from position to any spot you choose, sight and go. Not recommended to follow though, guaranteed grief for user.

3. Probably, but I'm not that clever. I'm old skool, I use an enlarged topo 50, laminated, for where ever I'm going and use in conjunction with GPS. It works for me. That practise also allows me to use a compass should my GPS shit itself. It hasn't yet, but I'm a conservative, better safe than sorry type of bloke

1. Yes, the main reason I use a GPS, I record all my trails. Most units you can set how often/far it records a breadcrumb based on time or distance. I usually get a day and a bit out of a pair of AA batteries (~8hr days, Garmin Oregon). Pairing to my phone so people can get live updates of where I am really sucks the battery juice though of both phone and GPS (only on some models and only works if you have phone reception anyway).

2. No.

3. Depends on the brand of GPS. I find Garmin Mapsource easier to use than Basecamp. Uploading waypoints is a simple click of the button, even if you are manually entering spots its easiest to do it on the computer then upload to the GPS.

You will be able to buy a secondhand basic gps eg garmin 64 or similar for several hundred less than the newer units.

The sense of security of marking where your vehicle is, then simply follow your nose/anal is exhilarating. Very easy to track back.

Of course you should always carry a functional compass. Silva or the like. GPS satellites do drop off. I lost all satellite navigation briefly on the day the US took out Bin Laden for example.

Unfortunately for handheld unit I think we only have Garmin? Who’s after sale service is terrible same for the nz agent for them I’m currently paying a subscription for a inreach that was faulty out of the box being gone 5 weeks now and the retailer has said expect that again as the agent is still waiting for approval for a warranty claim from Garmin even though they admit yet it’s faulty (won’t charge)

Be a squeaky wheel. Keep asking when. Ask for specific day. @Kelton

Originally Posted by Daniel L

Outside of the car navigation or Google Maps, I've never owned an "outdoor" GPS device. I have a couple of questions which I've always wondered:

1. Automatic route marking - as I walk do GPS systems automatically track the route so that I can back exactly the way I came in? Does this chew up the battery life? Or do you set them to automatically drop a way point every 100m or something like that to conserve battery life?

2. Getting back to camp efficiently - can devices create an automatic efficient route from the current location back to camp (assuming I dropped a pin there). i.e. fastest route, not necessarily shortest as the crow flies

3. Planning on a computer to mark pins - what's the recommended software these days that will sync things I've planned/marked on the PC back to the GPS device? Or is manually by co-ordinates?

Many thanks!

First question to be asked/answered is: can you navigate/route find/plot current position, without GPS, using map and compass? If you can't, you are starting at the wrong knowledge end of the equation.

I'm confident with compass and map and would never have GPS as the sole navigation - just wanting to take advantage of things like breadcrumbs and waypoints. And reducing those moments of being temporarily geographically confused. Modern conveniences

I did realise afterwards that topo maps don't plot gorse or thick scrub so there's no "routing" other than track back or straight line.

But overall seems the main purpose (breadcrumb / trackback) is pretty standard, so all good.

one of the most useful features for me on a gps...is marking points of interest...where Ive shot/spooked deer...big wallows,lookout clearings,bush clearings,creek clearings...when in area I can then look at enlarged map and see where the heck I AM....even using old yellow etrex I could do this by asking for nearest way points and dead reckoning it from there. one simple trick I would never of thought of...when way point is say 200mtrs in west direction...use your COMPASS to head off in west direction as if travelling slowly through thick crappy bush your speed isnt always enough to give gps your direction of travel so arrow points all over the show,not necessarily where you should be going.
snail trail is good to proove where you have been.but gps needs to stay on top if not out of pack to be able to get enough signal to keep plotting or you will just get a straight line from last point of signal....

Originally Posted by Daniel L

1. Automatic route marking - as I walk do GPS systems automatically track the route so that I can back exactly the way I came in? Does this chew up the battery life? Or do you set them to automatically drop a way point every 100m or something like that to conserve battery life?

Called a "track" on most devices (I think). It's a continuous recording. Very useful. Battery life on my phone seems fine when I use it. Keep phone in flight mode.

Originally Posted by Daniel L

2. Getting back to camp efficiently - can devices create an automatic efficient route from the current location back to camp (assuming I dropped a pin there). i.e. fastest route, not necessarily shortest as the crow flies

I don't think so, that's a pretty tall order.

Originally Posted by Daniel L

3. Planning on a computer to mark pins - what's the recommended software these days that will sync things I've planned/marked on the PC back to the GPS device? Or is manually by co-ordinates?

It's easy to transfer from phone to Google Earth or other software. Haven't done it the other way myself, but imagine it would be fairly straightforward. I'll often find places of interest on satellite maps on PC and then manually mark them on my phone app. Sounds like a hassle, but for me, it's only usually one or two spots in a new location.

Just turn your GPS on and off when you stop for a breather or a looksee.
Will give you enough spots to track back on.
Battery lasts forever you don't need a line just join the dots.
Mark as said previously points of interest such as wallows or good slips etc to sit on.
Compare what you record with Google Earth as some open stuff on earth isn't that flash when you "find" it.