How To Use A GPS: Tracks And Routes
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Use A GPS To Get Where You Want To Go And Return To Where You've Been
This is the fourth article in my "How To Use A GPS" series. Here, I'll briefly cover GPS routes and tracks -- what they are, how they're different, and what you can do with them.
GPS brands and models
Image Credit: Iwona Kellie on Flickr / CC
The Rest of the GPS How-To Series
Parts 1 - 3
How To Use A GPS: The Basics And Background
So, you've decided to purchase a GPS for some reason. You're a backcountry traveler perhaps, who wants another form of navigation. Or maybe you're...
How To Use A GPS: Coordinate Systems and Datums
When you use a GPS, it's important to not only have an understanding of how the unit works and receives the information it provides but also the languages...
How To Use A GPS: Waypoints And Go-Tos
At this point, you know how a GPS works and how to obtain a good signal and the most accurate position information. You also have an understanding of coordinate...
GPS Tracks And Routes: What Are They?
And what's the difference?
Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons / CC 3.0
In How To Use A GPS: Waypoints And Go Tos, we went over traveling from a current position a previously marked waypoint -- a Go To. A Go To is a route.Basically, a route is determined in advance. On a GPS, it is a direct line between two waypoints. A route does not take topography or obstacles into account. For that reason, it may often be impossible to follow a route exactly. And this is one reason not to continuously stare at your GPS while walking ... so you don't accidentally walk right off a cliff!
Where you actually walk, on the other hand, is a track. So a GPS track is created as you go. Using your navigation screens, you can deviate from the predetermined route as necessary and then later return to it. This is why a route (planned) and a track (actual) will often differ as seen in the image here.
Types Of GPS Routes
Image Credit: ChrisGrier on Flickr / CC
As mentioned, a Go To is a route from one point to another, which might be from your current location in the field back to your vehicle or campsite.Routes may also be multi-leg, meaning they can consist of multiple waypoints, which you may have entered by using coordinates from a map, have previously marked from an earlier trip, or were given by someone else. For example, you may want to create a route from a trailhead to a campsite and then to a favorite fishing spot you found years ago and marked at that time.
Man Over Board -- or MOB -- routes are useful when you want to instantly create and activate a route to the last computed coordinates. MOB waypoints will be created by the GPS and titled something like MOB001, MOB002, etc.
A Backtrack Route starts from the last recorded position in your track history and goes to the starting point using saved "bread crumbs." By following this route, you're retracing your steps.
What You Can Do With GPS Tracks
Image Credit: TheLastMinute on Flickr / CC
I'm not referring to the type of GPS tracking used to track cell phones, vehicles or wildlife. You can read more about those and other applications on GPS-Practice-and-Fun.com in "GPS Tracking in Many Different Fields." Rather, I'm talking about what you can later do with the track created by your handheld unit while you're carrying it around.For one, a track can be used to BACKtrack. You may have had to significantly deviate from a predetermined route on your way to a location, due to significant topographic or even man-made obstacles. So rather than do a Go To route back to your starting point, you may use the track you created as your return route.
Tracks are often used in Search & Rescue to determine what areas have been searched. When returning to base, we'll often hand our GPS units to our leader, who will download our tracks onto a laptop computer and then display all searchers' tracks to help plan our next moves.
Similarly, by saving your own tracks, you can plan future trips to an area. Or you can share your track information with someone else who might be going there.
You can also upload your tracks to your computer and map them (or map them by hand on a topographic map, if you prefer) and keep "track" of where you've been.
Use Google Earth To Show GPS Tracks And Routes
"Many GPS devices come with software that lets you upload files from your device to your PC, and display the data in interesting ways. But none have the display power of Google Earth. This software, downloadable for free, lets you import directly from select GPS devices, or from data files you've saved using your GPS software."
Find out how on GPS.About.com
VIDEO: How To Upload Your GPS Tracks To Google Earth
Other Online Mapping Tools, Software and Products
- Esri: A Complete GIS and Mapping Software System
- Including a range of ready-to-use, high-quality data for GIS visualization and analysis projects; a complete system for designing and managing solutions through the application of geographic knowledge; and tools which allow you to add mapping to your web, mobile, and desktop applications using a choice of languages.
- Terrain Navigatgr
- Regional collections of USGS topo maps and Software for 2-D and 3-D viewing, customizing, printing, and GPS.
- AllTopo
- iGage topographic maps, GPS and survey accessories, updates for all topo maps, etc.
- Garmin BaseCamp
- This free download allows you to plan your next hiking, biking, motorcycling, driving or off-roading trip. You can create routes, waypoints and tracks from your computer and then transfer them to your device. The Track Draw feature lets you trace your planned route and view elevation changes, helping you estimate the difficulty of a hike or bike ride. You can plan the perfect scenic route, making sure your navigator takes you through certain waypoints, for your next road trip. Play back your routes and tracks over time and save and share your adventure.
Here's That GPS Navigation Book Again
GPS Land Navigation
List Price: $19.95
This book explains all aspects of the GPS system and related equipment. GPS receivers, compasses, altimeters, maps, coordinate systems, and datums are among the major topics covered. Also included are equipment comparisons, and information on how to select the equipment that is right for you. You are provided with clear and simple descriptions of how the GPS system works, and how to make the GPS system work for you. No prior knowledge of land navigation, map reading, or cartography is assumed. Important information is provided about the limitations of GPS receivers, and how to avoid being mislead by your GPS receiver. As a bonus, thousands of actual coordinates that are ready to enter into your receiver are included in several appendices.
And These Are The GPS Units I've Spotlighted Before
Garmin eTrex H Handheld GPS Navigator
Amazon Price: $89.04 (as of 05/26/2012)
Features include:
* Storage space for 500 waypoints and 20 routes
* Garmin exclusive TrackBack feature to find your way home
* Hunt/fish calculator
* Sun/moon-Rise/set times
* Runs for 17 hours on 2 AA batteries
* 1.1-inch x 2.1-inch display
* Weight: 5.3 oz. with batteries
* Waterproof to survive an accidental dunk
Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Moving On Up The GPS Scale
Comments or Questions About GPS Units?
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squidootime
Apr 14, 2011 @ 7:05 am | delete
- Useful stuff - thanks!
Cheers
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Hiking-Hong-Kong
Jan 2, 2011 @ 1:31 am | delete
- Great stuff. Another favorite, thumbs up and lensroll from me!
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Alisha2010
Sep 29, 2010 @ 7:19 pm | delete
- Wow, learned a lot! Seems like you really enjoy using GPS. Our company is running a contest, winner gets a Garmin Nuvi 1350T. Thought you might be interested, it ends tomorrow, http://wildfireapp.com/website/6/contests/57491.
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andreaberrios
Oct 1, 2009 @ 8:00 pm | delete
- Very interesting and useful! Thanks. 5*
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TrinaSonnenberg
Sep 29, 2009 @ 5:39 pm | delete
- Five Stars from me!
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A Bit About Me
A hiking writer (who now uses a GPS too)
by Ramkitten
I became a Search and Rescue volunteer in 2007 and have learned SO much since then -- so many new skills -- and I like to share a little bit of what my... more »
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- Winner of 21 trophies!
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