Product Description

When GPSs first went on sale to an expectant outdoor market, many commentators were gleefully signaling the demise of traditional map and compass skills on the hill. Wild claims were made by manufacturers and early adopters alike which were vigorously rebutted by the traditionalists. Since then the units have dropped dramatically in price whilst the range of functions they offer have increased. Some units can now display proper mapping for example, and with the ability to link your GPS to your computer's mapping software, you could be easily persuaded that these siren calls have been proved right - traditional navigation has died. However don't write the obituary yet. Having good map and compass skills is essential for getting the best out of your GPS and as an essential back-up if the unit fails. Alongside the rapid development of the GPS has come the ready availability of digital mapping software and other technological gizmos to tempt the techie walker.In this practical guide to navigating with a GPS, navigation expert Pete Hawkins explains how to get the best from your GPS. He breaks down the jargon into understandable English and takes you through GPS navigation in a clear and structured way. He also recognizes that strong traditional navigational skills are the basis for effective GPS navigation, and gives a potted summary of how to navigate with a map and compass. He also takes a look at digital mapping and how that can benefit the outdoor user and how GPSs and mapping software can be used positively together.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #25465 in Books
• Published on: 2008-06-24
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 107 pages

About the Author
Pete trained as a geography teacher and taught in schools for a year before escaping to the Peak National Park's Environmental Centre for an outside job. He took over map and compass training by default and over the years has taught more beginners how to read a map and compass than there are hairs on his head.He has written for a variety of outdoor magazines, has worked for the BBC as a local radio reporter and leads walking holidays around the world for his own company, Peakland Walking Holidays and others. He has a cat, two children, a big motorbike and a wife, although not necessarily in that order.

Customer Reviews

A good guide to effective skills for the outdoors
Before giving this book a five-star rating, I tried to find fault with it. I could not. It is just what I need.

Clearly and precisely, with plenty of illustrations from Ordnance Survey maps, the book teaches the skills of navigating with a map and compass, including more advanced techniques such as aiming off and using back bearings, and then shows how a GPS can be used to make navigation more effective, whether or not you have a mapping receiver. If you do have one, a chapter on mapping software shows how your GPS can communicate with your computer. Finally, it teaches you how to get out of trouble -- even if your batteries go flat or the Americans switch the satellites off.

The book is small and light enough to fit into a rucksack and has a plastic cover which should help to protect it from the elements. It also comes with a bonus: a transparent plastic "navigation aid" on which is a compass rose, a couple of romer scales, and a list of things to do if your GPS fails .

Highly recommended.