GPS coordinates question

Post by **MuskieWannabe** » Fri Dec 21, 2007 8:37 am

Hey there,

just a quick question. I have a Lowrance H2O GPS and it shows the coordinates like the following...75degrees(can't find the circle symbol) 15.029 for example. But when I look onto a Map I see 17degrees15'29".

It's the 15.029 vs 15'29" that I'm not sure about. Mt GPS shows a decimal whereas other places, such as on hard copy maps, it doesn't. I'm going to try to find my manual tonight to see but figured I'd ask to see if someone knew what I was talkign about and if so could explain the transition from decimal to other, and vice versa.

Thanks a lot and Merry Christmas,

MW

Oh yeah, new fishfinder and trolling motor for Christmas!!!

Post by **Todd B.** » Fri Dec 21, 2007 9:00 am

The hard copy maps are using DD MM SS format rather than decimal degrees. Here's a converter you can use.

http://www.fcc.gov/mb/audio/bickel/DDDMMSS-decimal.html

Post by **Pints** » Fri Dec 21, 2007 9:10 am

There is also a big difference between 29" and .029. The decimal translates into 1.74" as opposed to the 29" from the map. That is almost a half minute difference in location. Maybe not a lot in the grand scheme of things, but on a long run up a lake it just might not put you over your hotspot!

Post by **Wallyboss** » Fri Dec 21, 2007 9:12 am

I am pretty sure that you can change that in the menu.

Post by **JayB** » Fri Dec 21, 2007 10:02 am

Turn your unit on.

Press: MENU ---> MENU ---> GPS SETUP ---> COORDINATE SYSTEM

Scroll up or down to select the system you want to use.

Press: ENTER

OR

Go to this link for the H2O Manual from Lowrance:

http://www.lowrance.com/upload/Lowrance ... -21-04.pdf

Go to page 71 in the Adobe File, 'Coordinate System Selection'. You can read how to change the settings.

Quite often I toggle through these settings depending on the coordinates I get from different people. I share GPS files between contacts from time to time. Many guys can use many different coordinate systems.

DD.DDDDD
DD MM.MMM
DD MM SS
UTM

The machine can convert coordinates easily. Just make sure you are entering them correctly. If you are reading a map the the coordinates are: 17D 15M 29S, you want your coordinate system set to DD MM SS.

Hope this helps?

Post by **MuskieWannabe** » Fri Dec 21, 2007 10:03 am

thanks a bunch! I like the converter but will be checking out my manual when I get home.

Post by **Fry Flier** » Fri Dec 21, 2007 10:06 am

You may want to check which mapset you are using. There are many scales used in the mapping industry and they will very quite a bit. For example the mapset for a lot of the older MNR maps are done to a NAD27 or NAD83 while my garmin is set to WGS84 for my usage.
Most GPS's will let you select which map datum you wish to use, with the Garmins it falls under the Setup............Units.........Map Datum.

Post by **Tomcat** » Fri Dec 21, 2007 10:12 am

I find it far easier to work with the Universal Transverse Mercator grid system when using maps and my GPS. Here's a web reference that might take a look at: http://www.gpsnuts.com/myGPS/GPS/Tutori ... s/maps.htm