GPS for walking...

[EternalOptimist]

Does one need GPS? Wouldn't it be possible for a device to work out a fairly exact position from sun direction, time, compass position and declination? Like orienteering for people who can't be arsed to do it themselves.




Naturally I am looking for something exceedingly cheap. Thought that went without saying in my case.

well, historically people like Hornblower were pretty good at finding their position on the globe, but you wouldnt want to carry a big clock, chart and sextant around on your back. would you ?

for all practical purposes, you have two choices, get the gps system, or get yourself trained up as a top orienteer

[xoggoth]

I was thinking a little miniaturised Hornblowery thing you could put in your pocket.

[TimberWolf]

I was thinking a little miniaturised Hornblowery thing you could put in your pocket.

A pocket sextant? Like my avatar?

[EternalOptimist]

I was thinking a little miniaturised Hornblowery thing you could put in your pocket.

actually, you make a blooming good point here Xoggoth. DOH - its so obvious.

Hornblower (and a gps) will tell you where you are on the globe (even if the map underneath is wrong)

A crack orienteer will tell you exactly where you are on a map (and God help you if the map is wrong)

[TimberWolf]

I think they got pretty good at estimating latitude using a sextant, within a couple of miles IIRC. Longitude needed a watch and/or deadreckoning.

[OwlHoot]

I was thinking a little miniaturised Hornblowery thing you could put in your pocket.

Got one of them - A miniature folding brass sextant about the size of a large pocket watch.

Looks nice in its satin lined mahogany box, but the trouble is I have no idea how to use it.

[NickFitz]

Got one of them - A miniature folding brass sextant about the size of a large pocket watch.

Looks nice in its satin lined mahogany box, but the trouble is I have no idea how to use it.

It all seems pretty straightforward

[TimberWolf]

I think they got pretty good at estimating latitude using a sextant, within a couple of miles IIRC.

The Wiki says an experienced navigator could determine position using a sextant to an accuracy of a quarter of a nautical mile