Outdoor Navigation with GPS: Hiking, Geocaching, Canoeing, Fishing & More

by Stephen W. Hinch

For outdoor adventurers who hike, fish, kayak, cross-country ski, or mountain bike in the backcountry, a GPS receiver can help them reach their destination and return safely — but only if they know how to use it! Here is the guide to getting the most out of a GPS receiver, from basic consumer advice to advanced techniques. It even includes fun solo and team games that utilize GPS. Starting with essential definitions and moving on to creating waypoints, and using your GPS with a computer, this succinct book teaches the basics of navigation and outdoor GPS use. Advanced techniques are covered, such as creating custom maps, and new technologies are discussed, including using GPS-enabled mobile phones, and how to use GPS with Google Earth and Google Maps. With years of experience as a GPS instructor, Hinch is well-versed in all aspects of navigation and GPS use, and he covers them in a jargon-free, easy-to-follow style.

Genres: Outdoors

220 pages, Paperback

Published November 1, 2010

Reviews

[Billy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I own two GPS units designed for use in the outdoors, a Magellan Meridian Color and a Garmin Etrex Vista HCx. Both came with impressive-looking instruction manuals. The problem is the manuals do a very poor job of explaining how to use the units. Stephen Hinch's book, on the other hand, provides a very clear and comprehensive introduction to using GPS in the outdoors (as opposed to in your car or boat). He covers datums, bearings, magnetic declination, topographic maps, etc., as well as the basics of how GPS works. You'll also learn about using a traditional magnetic compass in conjunction with your GPS unit. This book is highly recommended if you're a hiker or are interested in trying geocaching.

[Brian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great stuff in here for beginners all the way up to experts who may want to navigate using topographical maps and compasses.

I read what I wanted to, and there was a lot I skipped. The chapter on choosing a GPS would have been a good read before our unit was purchased.