When using a GPS, are folks using it with UTM or latitude/longitude mode?

Thanks
Dan

Definitely UTM over Lat/Lon any day. UTM is so much easier for (me) to use with use with a map. I can look at a Topo map and do the math in my head for locations. They both will get you to a point the same. Lat/Lon is more for Marine water travel because that is what the charts and maps are drawn with. Land maps, or military maps that is USGS Topographic maps use UTM/UPS. All the land maps that we use today were drawn off of the USGS Topo maps. So I see no reason to use Lat/Lon on land when the maps I use reference UTM. It’s how I learned to read land maps, others might disagree.

Does anyone know if the Minnesota map from terrain Navigator has the campsites entry points On it? I assume you can add UTM lines on the map as well? I had Garmin software a while back, and now looking to update

Lat-Lon for me over UTM. Neither used much for map reading by me.
UTM is a grid on a flat map projection, Lat-Lon represent 3 dimensional positioning.
As the GPS system is a 3 dimensional system to begin with I just stay with that, I also learned Geometry in high school and have been exposed to the concept longer (arc/radian measurements minutes degrees seconds). Been working with maps basically by intuitive learning, and simply visualize locations fairly well. UTM is best for flat map representations of location mostly due to simplicity, kind of the metric system for location.
UTM's inaccuracy depends on distance from the equator and certain areas where the system overlaps itself, on a 7.5 USGS map the effect is all but eliminated.
I print my own maps at home in various scales and tend to remove grid lines in process or mostly ignore them for lake to lake and forest travel.
No real preference for me, but I do have a developed sense of direction and rely more on deduction and observation.

butthead

I agree with SV that UTM is much easier to use than Lat-Lon. The maps I use in the BWCA and Canada all have UTM, so a GPS unit set to UTM makes the back-and-forth much easier for travel referencing.

Way back when I was a young naval officer, we used charts with Lat/Lon, but I am glad that I don't have to do that now!

The Trails Illustrated maps have both reference systems, but the grid system on the maps are for UTM.

Thanks! I had a 3 day land navigation class where the terrain was in the mountains, so there we used the UTM, but didn't know if there was a reason unknown to me why lat/lon might be the answer for BWCA.

Hey Butthead, does terrain Navigator let you add UTM Lines?

Can anyone tell me why choosing one over the other really makes a difference? I just follow the arrow while I keep Red Fred in the Shed...

schweady: "Can anyone tell me why choosing one over the other really makes a difference? I just follow the arrow while I keep Red Fred in the Shed...
"

Right you are, “Red Fred in the Shed”, it’s been a while since I’ve heard that. Not much difference to us canoeists. I hardly ever use a map and compass anymore, 99% of the time I just follow the moving map on my GPS.

DanC333: "Hey Butthead, does terrain Navigator let you add UTM Lines? "

Sold my Terrain Navigator Pro program years ago. Switched to Delorme then BaseCamp for simpler drawing tools. But figure it has UTM displayed as all USGS maps since the 2000"s have UTM grid marks and ticks.

butthead

Figured I'd put up images of both printed from my BaseCamp files. Basic map is USGS 25K POI's, trails my files added. Thick lines are Sundial and Tick Lake PMA's.
LAT/LON WGS84,


UTM WGS84,


And yes schweady either system works but is not needed for navigating the BWCA/Quetico.

butthead

PS: Notice the shift to the west for added map markings, this only shows when switching between data display's between LAT/LON and UTM. Went back and now the shift is back to normal. That happens when GPS co-ordinates and drawing programs miss-match data. bh

Hi Butthead( I do feel bad starting off that way)
So you now use Basecamp? Did it have camp sites and portages preloaded or did you have to add?

butthead's my name here, real name Ken M. But I prefer a sense of humor!
Yes BaseCamp now still have Delorme Topo 10. All points/track/trails are in my add on .gpx files and posted/updated it the GPS forum here.

butthead

That's awesome. I didn't realize we had a GPS forum!

DanC333: "That's awesome. I didn't realize we had a GPS forum! "

Yeah, it's been pretty quiet over there for a while, but a really excellent resource for just about any navigation-by-electronics question.