Beginner Tips for using a Global Positioning System (GPS)
Karen Chaton

A lot of people have asked me about using a GPS to ride with. Last summer, on the 2001 XP, a lot of riders used GPS units. Waypoints, a specific spot entered into the GPS, were made into 'routes', which were then downloaded into our individual GPS units. We activated these 'routes' and then used the GPS to follow the trail. The riders took to the technology a lot better than one might expect. In addition to the electronic trail markings, we also had written directions, maps, and historical trail markers. A few riders did not use a GPS, but many did and they became converts. There will likely be more rides that will use this technology in addition to traditional trail markings in the future. An electronically marked trail cannot be tampered with, and think of the hours to be saved by not having to put up and take down ribbons! Sure, not everybody will take to this techno-stuff, but there are some riders I know that still haven't figured out how to follow a trail marked with ribbons (author included)!

GPS III+ mounted to saddle pommel

GPS Basics: A constellation of 24 satellites owned and operated by the United States Government orbit the Earth and broadcast data that allows users equipped with GPS receivers to determine their position. The GPS receiver searches the sky for the satellites' signals and once it has locked on to 4 or more satellites, it can compute your position as well as perform a multitude of other functions. GPS satellites carry highly accurate atomic clocks. In order for the system to work, our GPS receivers here on the ground synchronize themselves to these clocks. That means that every GPS receiver is, in essence, an atomic accuracy clock.

A GPS can be useful on training rides in a lot of different ways. Besides telling you your location and how far you've gone, it will also tell you what your rate of speed is. This is a real handy tool when you want to know exactly how fast your horse walks, or trots, and can really help with learning how to ride at a consistent pace.

During an endurance ride, the GPS can also be a very handy thing to have around, probably as useful in some situations (if not more so) than a cell phone. Mainly, because in my experience, the GPS will work when the cell phone does not! A GPS can keep you from getting lost, but if you still manage to do that, you'll be able to find your way safely back to camp. Use the track back feature or GOTO. If you do need help in an emergency situation you can relay your coordinates, or even mark a waypoint on the GPS and send it with another rider so you can be found. It is a good idea at the start of a ride, to mark a waypoint (in most Garmin units, this is as simple as pressing the Enter button twice). That way, should you get turned around or need to get back to camp for some reason you just need to GOTO that one waypoint.

Hint: don't leave your GPS where your horse can slobber on it at a vet check!

I have some of my favorite training rides stored as waypoints in my GPS.  Most critical of these are water locations, starting and stopping points, and turns. If I want to go to a particular location I hit the GOTO button and select the location.  This will give you a straight-line direction from your current location to where you want to go.  The GPS doesn't know about that 300-foot deep ravine between you and the water so you can't blindly follow the GPS arrow.  That's where having routes comes into play.  You can set the GPS to follow a route of waypoints safely around the ravine.  As you move along following the GPS, you'll see each waypoint get closer and closer until you're at it, then it switches to the next waypoint in the route.

Almost all GPS units now also have some form of track screen. This screen shows you the track you have been riding.  It's kind of like looking at a trail of breadcrumbs.  You can set the GPS for how often it will drop a breadcrumb.  Then, you can use this track and follow your way back exactly the way you got there.  Some GPS will stop tracking when they're full, others will erase from the beginning as it fills.  So make sure and clear your track log before starting out on a long ride. I like to start the day with an empty track. This way I can watch where we've been and download the track to my laptop to put it on a map.  The track also comes in handy when you're exploring new areas.  You can use this if you need to backtrack out of a maze of trails or other areas that might not be too easy to see your tracks.

Below are some desirable features of GPS receivers if you are going to use one while riding:

1) 12-channel parallel receiver system:  Needed for best reception in difficult terrain and tree cover.
2) Waterproofness:  Unit should be rated submersible to protect it from getting wet.
3) Long battery life:  Keeps you from having to carry so many batteries.
4) Built in Maps:  Not absolutely essential,  but big help in orientation and estimating distance to nearest roads.
5) Route capability:  Twenty Route capability is pretty standard. Make sure you get one with at least 20 routes.
6) Waypoints:  500+ user entered waypoints are pretty standard. Make sure you get one of these.
7) Multiple Datum capability is pretty standard:  Make sure all the datum's you will want to use are included in the GPS you select.
(if you use topo maps, set your GPS to the same datum as the topo map. Most topo maps use NAD 27- North America Datum-27) 8) Fit nicely in your pocket or pack, and lightweight..
9) Bearing to next waypoint:  Almost universal.
10) Screen Size and your ability to read it are important especially if you have problems with viewing fine detail.

Not absolutely essential features, but nice to have:

1) "Map" screen (as opposed to just a numerical lon/lat position fix):  Makes it much easier to see where you are relative to reference waypoints.
2) Rotatable screen:  Garmin makes a couple of units capable of rotating the screen vertical (handheld use) or horizontal (car dash use).  These are not the handiest for pocket use,  but lots of people like this compromise for joint hiking/car use.
3) UTM (Universal Transverse Mercator—easy to use metric grids that are found on most USGS topographic quadrangle maps) readout may be a consideration for some.  This feature is available on a limited selection of consumer GPS receivers.
4) Topo Maps uploaded into your GPS:  The Garmin USA Topo CD maps contain contour lines and small stream data very helpful in navigating in off-road territory
5) An external amplified antenna for use under heavy tree cover or mountainous terrain (not every unit has an external antenna port)
6) A minimum of 8 megs of map memory is recommended on a mapping GPS though you can get by with 1.4 megs or so.
7) Elevation profiling (only available in 2 Garmin units – eTrex Summit and Vista).

An important thing to remember: GPS systems are susceptible to interference and can be severely and dangerously compromised if affected in critical situations. Users should protect themselves by becoming familiar with interference symptoms and by retaining human skepticism about any navigation system.

Most of us have been using Garmin brand receivers. They have several models to choose from and interface with each other and with the map software that is most popular. I'm not trying to endorse their product, but it's good to know this in case you may want a GPS that will be compatible with what most people are using. For more information on GPS systems:

 Get Navigation Devices At Low Prices! Shop Our Clearance Section Today! 

www.garmin.com
www.advancedgps.com/
http://www.gpsinformation.net/banners.htm 
GPS-Integrated FRS/GMRS Radios