Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > All Miscellaneous questions > Travellers' questions that don't fit anywhere else
Navigation question Lat/Long and GPS Navigation question Lat/Long and GPS
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Travellers' questions that don't fit anywhere else This is an opportunity to ask any question, and post any notice you wish that doesn't fit into one of the other sections.
Photo by George Guille, It's going to be a long 300km... Bolivian Amazon

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by George Guille
It's going to be a long 300km...
Bolivian Amazon



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 16 Feb 2013
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: NW England
Posts: 18
Navigation question Lat/Long and GPS
Can somebody explain the difference between Lat/ Long and GPS coordinates and why are they written differently?:confused1:
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 16 Feb 2013
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Dorset, UK
Posts: 339
The three main ways of quoting a way point (as I understand it )
I don't know why are they written differently though.

This is the same spot.

Decimal Degrees (hddd.ddddd°)

This can be quoted in two way, if before the first number nothing is written then it's North,
if a minus sign then its South, same goes for the second number except nothing means East, minus West.

51.178892 -1.82623 becomes N51.178892 W1.82623

Degrees Minutes Seconds (hddd°mm'ss.s")

N51 10 44.0 W1 49 34.4 or N51°10' 44.0" W1°49' 34.4"

Degrees Minutes Decimal Seconds(hddd°mm.mmm')

This is the way I set up my GPS's

N51 10.734 W1 49.574
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 16 Feb 2013
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: San Diego, CA, USA
Posts: 92
My Garmin Zumo allows me to use either/or as well as convert.

Look in the GPS settings area and choose the one you want.

Good question and response.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 16 Feb 2013
palace15's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: LONDONISTAN, England
Posts: 1,034
I asked about coordinates back in 2011, got answers but still none the wiser!
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...rdinates-56891
__________________
'He who laughs last, was too slow to get the joke'
Never confuse the map with the journey.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 16 Feb 2013
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: NW England
Posts: 18
Thanks chaps
Thats alot clearer. In the Boy Scouts in the 1960's when using grid refs: It was 'along the corridoor and up the stairs for a six fig ref:

How I found my way RTW I will never know
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 16 Feb 2013
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: NW England
Posts: 18
By the way how do I print 'Twenty fourseven's' reply for future ref: all I get is the heading
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 16 Feb 2013
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Rockhampton, Australia
Posts: 868
A Lat Long set up in Degrees Minutes Seconds will translate straight to a map.

A hdd.ddd is what most Co-ordinates are given in Way points and is pretty much a standard for travellers, it is easier to understand

There can be a lot of confusion especially as Google Maps only works in DMS, so you need to convert using a program. Your mapping program may help, or you can use Mapsource or Basecamp from Garmin

Of course your GPS itself most likely has different formats, but when people pass out information, unless they know what system it has been set up with, then the information may be useless.

For example, the GPS in the internal settings needs to be set to WGS84 which is the World Grid System 84

If your GPS is set up as anything else, then the info will be incorrect if you pass on a co-ordinate to somebody

Probably clear as mud, but hopefully helpful

Try
__________________
www.travellingstrom.com
Last edited by TravellingStrom; 16 Feb 2013 at 21:45. Reason: spelling
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 16 Feb 2013
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Australia
Posts: 1,131
Lat + Lon - Datum
The other problem with co ordinates is the 'datum'.

There are different datums, most people forget about it .. but it can lead to differences of over 100 meters. If you are giving out Lat/lon you should also give out the datum used.

What ever program/GPS (electronic device) you are using it should have some setting for the format of Lat/Lon and the datum used. That way you can set it to suit the paper map you are using and/or the other persons reference, saves doing calculations elsewhere.

--------------------------
To print out what you want...

Left click on your mouse and then drag it over the text ... best to start with the mouse pointer either at the start or end... when finished press the control key and the key C ... for copy ... then open up a text editor (wordpad for example) and press control and V keys together to insert the text (or photo) where you want. Then print from that. This way you can join up lots of stuff into one document too.

[travelling strom - your typing faster than me ... may be I'm doing other stuff at the same time? ]
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 16 Feb 2013
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Rockhampton, Australia
Posts: 868
Quote:
Originally Posted by Crashbox View Post
By the way how do I print 'Twenty fourseven's' reply for future ref: all I get is the heading

Depends on your computer

But, just copy and paste it into notebook or something then print that
__________________
www.travellingstrom.com
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 16 Feb 2013
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: NW England
Posts: 18
That's really informative and important. It would be better if everybody used the same format. I can remember using a lat/long ref: and trying to put it into my GPS by moving the dec point just to make it fit.
Good job I ignored it and followed the guy infront!!
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 17 Feb 2013
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Rockhampton, Australia
Posts: 868
Navigation question Lat/Long and GPS
Quote:
Originally Posted by Crashbox View Post
That's really informative and important. It would be better if everybody used the same format. I can remember using a lat/long ref: and trying to put it into my GPS by moving the dec point just to make it fit.
Good job I ignored it and followed the guy infront!!
That would never work, sometimes you could be out by miles
__________________
www.travellingstrom.com
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Best VFM Garmin GPS Walkabout Navigation - Maps, Compass, GPS 41 22 Apr 2013 14:28
New GPS or New Mount? JesseH Navigation - Maps, Compass, GPS 2 1 Apr 2012 19:29
Cheap GPS for ride through Europe sahtt Navigation - Maps, Compass, GPS 12 15 Mar 2012 01:31
Numpty Garmin GPS SD card question Matt Cartney Navigation - Maps, Compass, GPS 7 19 Feb 2012 15:37
Zimbabwe: Visas, borders and miscellaneous info MovingHouse sub-Saharan Africa 1 26 Jan 2012 15:13

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

HU Event and other updates on the HUBB Forum "Traveller's Advisories" thread.
ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 07:15.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top