Using a GPS & Maps Abroad

More and more users wish to use GPS and mapping software on their travels, and whilst most people are comfortable about using GPS at home with OS maps, they are unsure of how to do so abroad. During our training courses we address these concerns, but our experience is that there are still many people who would like to become involved but are unsure of how to take those first steps towards that goal. Here are a few tips and some basic information that might help if you are thinking of using your GPS abroad

Many countries like the UK for instance have their own Grid System - Position Format (British Grid) and Map Datum (OSGB). This makes things easy for the user, as GPS manufacturers like Garmin can offer pre-set options. For instance to set up a GPS for use in the UK if you select Position Format as British Grid then the unit will automatically select OSGB as the Map Datum

Where a country has no commonly used grid system or map datum your options are to use either Lat/Long or UTM.UPS.

Advice on using these two grid systems are available using this links.

GPS is now sold worldwide and manufacturers like Garmin are making units available that can be used on their travels, for instance the Colorado 300 & new Oregon 300 include a worldwide basemap with shaded relief, the Oregon 400 100K Topo mapping for Europe.

The advantage of having a European or Worldwide basemap is that at a basic level you can navigate using Lat/Long worldwide without having to set your GPS to the same projection as the paper map you are using.

However where you do have the correct GPS settings that match the paper map you are using then you will find plotting your position easier. Here is a list of the most commonly used GPS settings.

We have compiled this list with help from GPS users worldwide who like us feel that a comprehensive list of suggested GPS settings would be useful in an age where we travel more.  We hope that over a period of time we can build this list into a free resource that will be available via our website. Help us add to the list

Here are some basic rules for making sure you set up your GPS correctly when using it abroad:

The first and most important rule is that your GPS settings must reflect the map you are using

You will need to check the following areas to ensure this

The Position Format & Map Datum must be the same as your map.

Map units for distance and elevation should be the same as your map

The Time Zone should be the same as your location

The North Reference should reflect the magnetic variation at your international location

 

All this information should be available from the mapmaker and in many cases is in the legend; however our experience is that this is not always the case.

At GPS Training we are building a list of commonly used Grid Co-ordinates, Map Datum’s and Time Zones for use with your (Garmin) GPS - visit list

 

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