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Bruce R Leech
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6796
Registered: 9-20-2004
Location: Ensenada formerly Mulege
Member Is Offline
Mood: A lot cooler than Mulege
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no problem Bajaboy
Here in Mulege all the Mexican fisherman are already using GPS
Bruce R Leech
Ensenada
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bajalou
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4459
Registered: 3-11-2004
Location: South of the broder
Member Is Offline
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Don't follow my gps to explore, but sometimes to get back -
No Bad Days
\"Never argue with an idiot. People watching may not be able to tell the difference\"
\"The trouble with doing nothing is - how do I know when I\'m done?\"
Nomad Baja Interactive map
And in the San Felipe area - check out Valle Chico area |
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JZ
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9235
Registered: 10-3-2003
Member Is Online
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Bruce R Leech
but in the bottom of my bag are 2 gps units and extra batteries. |
Yep, you definitely want to have two on the water, one being for backup.
I was out in the Pacific two years ago about 10 miles from the harbor. All of a sudden a wicked fog began to roll in. And almost simultaneously the
swell picked up. It probably grew from 3' to 7', but was spaced pretty wide.
As soon as the fog started coming in we started heading back. By the time we got to the harbor, it was so thick you couldn't see the front of the
bow. The main GPS/radar magically choose not to power up. There was no way at all to see the channel markers, but I sure could hear the surf
crashing big time on the beach (scary as hell!). At the entrance to the harbor the following swell probably gained a few feet to about 9-10'. We
pulled out the backup handheld and cruised right through the channel, albeit very slowly!
I could hear other boats on VHF calling the harbor patrol saying they couldn't see the entrance and asking them to come out and escort them in. I was
damn glad to have taken the wise advice of others to have a backup GPS that day!
[Edited on 6-4-2006 by JZ]
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Bruce R Leech
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6796
Registered: 9-20-2004
Location: Ensenada formerly Mulege
Member Is Offline
Mood: A lot cooler than Mulege
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| Quote: | Originally posted by JZ
| Quote: | Originally posted by Bruce R Leech
but in the bottom of my bag are 2 gps units and extra batteries. |
Yep, you definitely want to have two on the water, one being for backup.
I was out in the Pacific two years ago about 10 miles from the harbor. All of a sudden a wicked fog began to roll in. And almost simultaneously the
swell picked up. It probably grew from 3' to 7', but was spaced pretty wide.
As soon as the fog started coming in we started heading back. By the time we got to the harbor, it was so thick you couldn't see the front of the
bow. The main GPS/radar magically choose not to power up. We pulled out the back up handheld and cruised right through the channel. There was no
way at all to see the channel markers, but I sure could hear the surf crashing big time on the beach (scary as hell!). At the entrance to the harbor
the following swell probably gained a few feet to about 9-10'.
I could hear other boats calling the harbor patrol saying they couldn't see the entrance and asking them to come out and escort them in. I was damn
glad to have taken the wise advice of others to have a back up GPS that day!
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try that with a compass and chart.
Bruce R Leech
Ensenada
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Al G
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2647
Registered: 12-19-2004
Location: Todos Santos/Full time for now...
Member Is Offline
Mood: Wondering what is next???
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| Quote: | I was out in the Pacific two years ago about 10 miles from the harbor. All of a sudden a wicked fog began to roll in. And almost simultaneously the
swell picked up. It probably grew from 3' to 7', but was spaced pretty wide.
As soon as the fog started coming in we started heading back. By the time we got to the harbor, it was so thick you couldn't see the front of the
bow. The main GPS/radar magically choose not to power up. We pulled out the back up handheld and cruised right through the channel. There was no
way at all to see the channel markers, but I sure could hear the surf crashing big time on the beach (scary as hell!). At the entrance to the harbor
the following swell probably gained a few feet to about 9-10'.
I could hear other boats calling the harbor patrol saying they couldn't see the entrance and asking them to come out and escort them in. I was damn
glad to have taken the wise advice of others to have a back up GPS that day!
[Edited on 6-4-2006 by JZ] |
This is way cool, maybe only to us who are lacking the experience to operate a GPS to this level. Some say this is easy, but I disagree.
People who do sailing and a lot fishing and already know longitude and latitude. Maybe trial and error (as was suggested earlier here)is the way to
learn, but I sure wish there was some sort of school.
Maybe my age? I use to have a very high retention level,
but I think someone reversed the numbers on me.
Hey Bruce, how about starting a nautical school on GPS??
Albert G
Remember, if you haven\'t got a smile on your face and laughter in your heart, then you are just a sour old fart!....
The most precious thing we have is life, yet it has absolutely no trade-in value.
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JZ
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9235
Registered: 10-3-2003
Member Is Online
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There was two of us. I let my friend drive while I worked the GPS and gave him directions. In the US, the charts/GPS are super accurate. You
couldn't do this in Mexico, unless you were following a previous track you had set.
It's really not that hard to be able to do this. Just need a good GPS (Garmin is about the best) and some practice.
We had gone out on this route a hundred times, and it was just an ordinary day when everything changed within 30-40 minutes.
[Edited on 6-4-2006 by JZ]
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Al G
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2647
Registered: 12-19-2004
Location: Todos Santos/Full time for now...
Member Is Offline
Mood: Wondering what is next???
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JZ
I have a 376c garmin, but it is very complicated. I got this particular one, because I thought it would be more intuitive. Boy was I wrong.
I will learn, but I wish we had a fourm to ask alot of questions.
Albert G
Remember, if you haven\'t got a smile on your face and laughter in your heart, then you are just a sour old fart!....
The most precious thing we have is life, yet it has absolutely no trade-in value.
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Sharksbaja
Elite Nomad
Posts: 5814
Registered: 9-7-2004
Location: Newport, Mulege B.C.S.
Member Is Offline
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1st of all....
like Bruce implied, as a captain of a large vessel one must be familiar with all facets of seamanship. Knowledge of even RDF(if so equipped) locating
and transection, nav with a sextant and seafloor soundings could prove invaluable in extreme circumstances. Gps is surely the most precise and useful
nav tool available today but the sheer thought of the system crashing and compromising travel will not even cross the minds of most land-based
travelers.. I suppose that's an accepted norm today. I sure hope it doesn't crash, although I feel a competent skipper would know what to do.
A nice amentity for wheeling in Baja tho. Those myriad dirt tracks to a remote destination are tricky without precise knowledge. Of course hit and
miss is fun too!
DON\'T SQUINT! Give yer eyes a break!
Try holding down [control] key and toggle the [+ and -] keys
Viva Mulege!
Nomads\' Sunsets
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turtleandtoad
Senior Nomad
Posts: 730
Registered: 1-20-2005
Location: Wherever I park. See sig for current location.
Member Is Offline
Mood: Good if fishing
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When I first started commercial fishing (salmon trolling) out of Neah Bay, WA, all I had was an RDF, some good charts, a depth finder, and a VHF
radio. And that was all I needed to navigate in and out of the straits at night, in a zero visability fog, or driving rain/snow storm. The RDF, charts
and depth finder got me in and out, and the radio was used to call the CG and ask them to keep an me informed on the other traffic around me. A very
high "pucker factor" but it worked. When I had to, I used a sextant (but was always mildly surprised when I ended up where I wanted).
When I got radar, I thought that it was the greatest thing since sliced bread. Then I got Loran, and the RDF started gathering dust. Finally I got an
ECDIS suite (everything displayed on a single screen) and even the charts got dusty.
Now the Coast Guard won't even let you move to the fuel dock without a complete suite of electronics, including satellite and digital radio. And I
don't miss the "good old days" one little bit.
Mike & Robin; Full-Time RV\'ers
37\' Georgetown w/3 slides & 275 Watts of Solar Power
06 Taco TRD
www.turtleandtoad.com
I am here
To paraphrase Frank Lloyd Wright; I\'m all in favor of keeping dangerous weapons out of the hands of fools. Let\'s start with keyboards. --
Mike Dean |
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Bruce R Leech
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6796
Registered: 9-20-2004
Location: Ensenada formerly Mulege
Member Is Offline
Mood: A lot cooler than Mulege
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Al G said Hey Bruce, how about starting a nautical school on GPS??
get one and bring it here and when you leave you will know how to work it.
What do I get out of it ?
I get to meet another Nomad
Bruce R Leech
Ensenada
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bajalera
Super Nomad
Posts: 1875
Registered: 10-15-2003
Location: Santa Maria CA
Member Is Offline
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Okay, GPS is essential for boaters. And for caching, of course, as well as getting to some particular spot.
As for needing to know exactly where we are while traveling down some backroad, to me this would definitely put a muffler on the kind of
let's-see-where-this-goes adventure that's still possible in Baja and practically nowhere else.
I'll go along with whoever said GPS is great for finding your way BACK.
\"Very few things happen at the right time, and the rest never happen at all. The conscientious historian will correct these defects.\" -
Mark Twain
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Bruce R Leech
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6796
Registered: 9-20-2004
Location: Ensenada formerly Mulege
Member Is Offline
Mood: A lot cooler than Mulege
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If you are the kind of traveler that likes the adventure of getting lost then it is not for you nor is the map and compass. and there is a lot to-be
sed for your way. some of my best discoveries have been while lost . and some of the best times I have had in Baja Ca. have also been that way.
Bruce R Leech
Ensenada
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Al G
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2647
Registered: 12-19-2004
Location: Todos Santos/Full time for now...
Member Is Offline
Mood: Wondering what is next???
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| Quote: | "What do I get out of it ?"
I get to meet another Nomad |
Yes you will! I owe Pompano alot now (they may get me for smuggling Jack Daniels.) may as well owe you Dinner for you and Wife?
I have to be in Todos Santos Feb 20th., but want to spend a couple months in Mulege' before then. I missed last year, but I just got the word I only
have a small blockage lower right artery, so some pills and I'm good to go this year. I will ask some questions as I read this manual.
Thanks for the lesson offer Bruce.
Albert G
Remember, if you haven\'t got a smile on your face and laughter in your heart, then you are just a sour old fart!....
The most precious thing we have is life, yet it has absolutely no trade-in value.
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Bruce R Leech
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6796
Registered: 9-20-2004
Location: Ensenada formerly Mulege
Member Is Offline
Mood: A lot cooler than Mulege
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we will have you operating a GPS like a pro Albert G 
Bruce R Leech
Ensenada
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