GPS Device Question
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Any suggestion on gps device to use for topography exercise? One that will indicate the MGR of my exact position?
Thanks
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Get anything from Garmin or Magellan. Check if you are allowed to use it first.
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Yep was allowed to use for this upcoming exercise.
Any exact models to recommend? -
uh... this isnt very helpful... but since no one is answering... use google?
and read reviews for the devices. always. -
configuration must be correct, v impt
arbo got GPS oso no use...
GPS n compass come hand-in-hand
always use compass to double check bearings of GPS is in the correct direction anot
sometimes GPS got error either due to low batt n no reception
if u r topoing under thick canopy or area with no reception, GPS no use or not much use
good luck
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Garmin is one of the most popular brands.Originally posted by cococomomomo:Any suggestion on gps device to use for topography exercise? One that will indicate the MGR of my exact position?
Thanks
I believe the basic Etrex (yellow colour) will do, but you'll have to double check that. I used the GPSMAP60CSx during my army days, which worked very well.
Where are you having the topo exercise? You'll need to input certain settings to get your MGR, as different maps use different datums. -
Most Garmin models has MGS function.
but please be WARNED that the MGS format displayed on Garmin models is the full MGS as defined.
MGS is a grid system deviced by US Army where the world is divided into 100km squares.
each 100km squares have a alphabetic codes.
the 6 or 8 digit MGS that is normally used in SAF is found in the Garmin's string but you need to know how to interpret it.
SAF MGS is usually simple 5671 2319 or 567 231.
Garmin MGS is up to 16 (maybe more), like A1G35671 B2G12319.
go for the eTrek series. most should have MGS.
But one question.. how come they want you to buy one? -
ya lor...if army wants U to use it...they should provide it...unless U siao on to buy extra equipment to try make sure U dont get lost...Originally posted by Ponders:But one question.. how come they want you to buy one? -
In live combat if you turned ON the GPS device you are giving away your position
Hope you are on some vehicle to run away from artillery fire if there's any
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How are we giving away our position?Originally posted by maggot:In live combat if you turned ON the GPS device you are giving away your position
Hope you are on some vehicle to run away from artillery fire if there's any
The GPS device is a receiver, not transceiver. -
he watch too many movies already.
i bet he thinks that if he presses the transmit button on the walkie talkie/comms set, he is jamming the whole net.
cant stand f---ing stupid american shows. -
A GPS receiver calculates its position by measuring the distance between itself and three or more GPS satellites. Measuring the time delay between transmission and reception of each GPS microwave signal gives the distance to each satellite, since the signal travels at a known speed. The signals also carry information about the satellites' location. By determining the position of, and distance to, at least three satellites, the receiver can compute its position using trilateration.[3] Receivers typically do not have perfectly accurate clocks and therefore track one or more additional satellites to correct the receiver's clock error.Originally posted by ord personnel:How are we giving away our position?
The GPS device is a receiver, not transceiver.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GPS
Now you know why the battery drain is so fast -
I believe this thread to be started in the wrong spirit. A topography/navigation excercise is meant to train one's skills at map reading and navigating with reference to ground objects observed, and relating those objects to the map, and not some GPS famliarization course. Some of us have gone to the extent of navigating without the use of compasses. The learning of such basic skills of "finding your way around" is an integral part of a proficient ground based troop. To the person who started this thread, why don't you consult your instructors or superiors regarding which is the best brand of GPS receivers to purchase, I'm sure they are experienced enough to tell you.
And yes, a GPS device is a passive device. Can't be tracked like a transmitter. -
Originally posted by maggot:
The transmission you highlighted refers to the signal transmitted by the satellites, not the GPS receiver.
A GPS receiver calculates its position by measuring the distance between itself and three or more GPS satellites. Measuring the time delay between [b]transmission and reception of each GPS microwave signal gives the distance to each satellite, since the signal travels at a known speed. The signals also carry information about the satellites' location. By determining the position of, and distance to, at least three satellites, the receiver can compute its position using trilateration.[3] Receivers typically do not have perfectly accurate clocks and therefore track one or more additional satellites to correct the receiver's clock error.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GPS
Now you know why the battery drain is so fast [/b]
This signal transmitted from the satellite contains a timecode. When the GPS receiver receives this signal, it is timecoded too. The time delay is then calculated by your GPS. -
hmm.....ok
Now a brand of Nokia phone got GPS device
Forgot the brand...think of getting it -
You MUST know how to topo without a GPS first before you get down to using one, if you are useless without batteries. Map and compass do not need batteries, and sometimes even good topo skills allow you to work without a compass.
But once that is covered, by all means a GPS is fantastic stuff to use out in the field. I used a lot of my personal Garmin vista while I was outfield, and found it extremely useful. You have a good idea of how far you are from base camp and stuff like that and can plan accordingly. -
Why are you not being issued one if you are allowed to use it? From my understanding, there are standard issue GPS receivers in the army. Which unit are you from?Originally posted by cococomomomo:Yep was allowed to use for this upcoming exercise.
Any exact models to recommend? -
I've tried one olive green Garmin in the army. Really old model. GPS12 if I am not wrong. Does the SAF have newer models available for personnel use?Originally posted by crosshairs:Why are you not being issued one if you are allowed to use it? From my understanding, there are standard issue GPS receivers in the army. Which unit are you from? -
yes. N95 pwnz!Originally posted by maggot:hmm.....ok
Now a brand of Nokia phone got GPS device
Forgot the brand...think of getting it
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and, while we are at the subject of being tracked by the enemy, the use of your handphone can give out your position, if the enemy owns the telco (other countries or we got pwned), accuracy depending on the cell size.
and... by "using hp", i actually meant switching it on. -
Regarding MGR, based on my experience during a topo exercise in Tekong.Originally posted by Ponders:Most Garmin models has MGS function.
but please be WARNED that the MGS format displayed on Garmin models is the full MGS as defined.
MGS is a grid system deviced by US Army where the world is divided into 100km squares.
each 100km squares have a alphabetic codes.
the 6 or 8 digit MGS that is normally used in SAF is found in the Garmin's string but you need to know how to interpret it.
SAF MGS is usually simple 5671 2319 or 567 231.
Garmin MGS is up to 16 (maybe more), like A1G35671 B2G12319.
go for the eTrek series. most should have MGS.
But one question.. how come they want you to buy one?
Example of MGR I saw: CCP 5 is given as 737564 (signboard)
On my GPS, it read 673777 156378. The actual MGR always corresponded to the 2nd,3rd,4th digits. Given, mine were 1m precision whereas the signboard had a 100m precision. Why such low precision, i wonder. Anyone knows what the first digit on my reading represents?
Btw, you will need to set your GPS to West Malayan RSO with datum Kertau 1948. Not the usual lat/long, WGS84. -
if i paid attention in class... they are supposed to be numbers on an even greater scale... and we are supposed to ignore them.
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i thought SAF has their own Garmin models to be TLoaned out? Most Mortar PLTs have 2 or 3..can ask them
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Low precision as you may know its a topo training, so they still want you to search for the checkpoint even you know you are in the correct MSG.Originally posted by ord personnel:Regarding MGR, based on my experience during a topo exercise in Tekong.
Example of MGR I saw: CCP 5 is given as 737564 (signboard)
On my GPS, it read 673777 156378. The actual MGR always corresponded to the 2nd,3rd,4th digits. Given, mine were 1m precision whereas the signboard had a 100m precision. Why such low precision, i wonder. Anyone knows what the first digit on my reading represents?
Btw, you will need to set your GPS to West Malayan RSO with datum Kertau 1948. Not the usual lat/long, WGS84.
Ya, the first digit is maybe like what i mentioned earlier...
the "serial number" of the grid 100km square.
I used to have a website explaining how MGS is tabulated, and what mils (or milli-radians) are actually obtained.
And the interesting fact that SAF's 6400 mils is one of the 3 standards internationally..
If i am not wrong, NATO is 6400 mils, Russia is 6000 mils, and Scandivanian is 6200 mils. for a complete 360 bearing. -
Thank youOriginally posted by Ristar:yes. N95 pwnz!
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and, while we are at the subject of being tracked by the enemy, the use of your handphone can give out your position, if the enemy owns the telco (other countries or we got pwned), accuracy depending on the cell size.
and... by "using hp", i actually meant switching it on.