Discussion: Not useless, just immature

My experience mapping this spring was that the GPS track in OCAD was pretty darn near spot on provided you were using a good antenna. Problem is, carrying around a PC, even an ultra-portable ruggedized version like mine, is still a greater handicap than what you gain. However, host it on a 2oz PDA and use a heads-up display on your eyeglasses and suddenly you can run your longer legs very loose with impunity. Map reading in the vicinity of the control would still count for a lot, but you sure could eliminate the big mistakes while improving speed in the terrain. It's coming, just not here yet.

I'd say Forerunner 205/305, controls as waypoints, the "map view" on. Navigate with map as usual, but if unsure while approaching control you'll look at the screen, there should be your position as arrow and the control in front of you. Just use them to steer you to control. No need to press buttons or anything. Carrying forerunner isn't much of handicap, but it's nice tool to avoid mistakes.

Or are competitors not allowed to use map at all if they use gps?

I used waypoints in my 205 when putting out controls. Streamers were out already, so if I got confused in the area, I looked at the watch and let it guide me to the correct spot. I would like to try what Peter is setting up sometime.

I recently (last week) started to play around with a GPS/map application [OruxMaps] for my HTC/Android phone.

With a georeferenced map as background (has to be done beforehand*) I suppose I could easily use my phone with waypoints downloaded instead of the map and see my location in real time.

Whether this would give an advantage or not is still debatable - I won´t be able to run faster - but maybe eliminating mistakes saves at least some time.

PS. I think I´ll have to go out tonight and try this out somehow - I already have my neighbourhood O map installed...

*) Found an old version of the Sessions map online so "cheating" that way may be possible but don´t worry - I´m not going ;)

I'm making it as easy to use GPS as possible -- coordinates well in advance and no restrictions. It's just a local meet, so the maps will be available before the start and people can look at the map as much or as little as they want. In this case, given the format, I imagine folks might pick the controls they are going to and the order and even draw lines on the map. That's all fine.

For sure you will want to read the map some, because there are a few, I shouldn't use the word "uncrossable" so let's say there are a few very difficult things to cross -- ponds, dark green vegetation, a few cliffs. Or maybe there is a nice trail just off the beeline.

This is all very low-key. Just to see what might happen. It is National Orienteering Day, so why not try something different. I hope a few people try something, so far I think Clint and Joe are making plans....

Possum Trot hosted a GPS meet a long time ago. We had GPS units with the controls programmed in. We got maps, but the maps didn't have the controls marked. You had two options. You could try to follow the GPS directions as you ran and zero in on the control, or you could get a general direction and distance to the control and use the map to get you to the general area. The second approach worked much better.

The event was a long time ago. The GPS units were big and awkward - more like carrying a hard bound dictionary than wearing a watch. They were expensive, too. I remember running along and worrying that I'd fall and smash the GPS.

The event was put on by Paul Shumaker - a long time orienteer and one of the 4 engineers who founded Garmin. Paul passed away last year.