Getting Started with GPS and Digital Maps

One Day Course:
£65 per person per day

This one day course is an easy-to-understand introduction to using GPS and digital maps. The day is a mixture of classroom activity and practical exercises using GPS with waypoints and routes downloaded from a digital map system. Basic GPS safety techniques will also be considered as well as how to choose a GPS that is right for your needs.

Is this course right for you?

You do not have to own a GPS or have any experience of using one. All the jargon and technical features will be explained as we go along and you'll get handouts to refer to when you get home.

Our courses will cover both Magellan® and Garmin® GPS systems. If you do not already own a GPS, we will have a choice of GPS for you to use on the day. Although most of the learning points of the course are easily transferable to other products and brands, please note that there is usually not enough time to address specific product-related questions that are outside the scope of the course.

This is not a basic navigation training course. If you join this course it is assumed that you can use a map and compass for basic navigation. We do run a series of Map & Compass days sponsored by Silva™ that will provide you with a excellent set of basic map and compass skills.

What's the course designed to achieve?

The aim of the day is that you will leave the course with the skills to use a GPS confidently and safely at a basic level and understand the advantages of linking it to a digital mapping system.

What will I learn?

By the end of the day you should be able to:

•recognize what a GPS and a digital map can and cannot do to help you stay safe outdoors

•set up the GPS so it will function properly in the UK

•understand the meaning of basic GPS & digital map terms. Eg. waypoint, track, route, goto, tracback etc.

•mark current position and enter a waypoint and a goto into the GPS

•appreciate the advantages of using digital maps with your GPS

•confidently use a GPS by navigating a simple route to locate real waypoints on the ground

• take appropriate safeguards to ensure your own safety on the fells when using a GPS

•Understand the use of a GPS in the new leisure sports of Geocaching and Geotrailing.

What's in the course?

• What is a GPS?: how does it work?; how accurate is it? WAAS and EGNOS enabling

• Ordnance Survey National Grid and grid references; GPS 10 digit references

• GPS - buttons & main pages; battery; power; display; etc.

• Setting up the GPS - position format; map datum; north reference; etc.

• Finding your position: GPS vs map & compass

• Waypoints: mark; manually enter; download

• Finding your destination: Navigating using a GPS ; Goto - get 'lost' and find destination exercise

• Routes: manually create and delete; navigating a route exercise; creating a tracklog

• Digital maps: what's available; what they will do; different map views

• Choosing a GPS to fit user needs

• Introduction to safety issues when using a GPS

• Future trends in GPS & digital maps including their use in Geocaching and Geotrailing.

Special Offer:

Book this course with its partner course Going Further with GPS and Digital Maps and save £10.