In a message dated 12/30/2002 10:20:54 AM Eastern Standard Time, lnoll@netnitco.net writes: > > Paul, > > This is, as they say, off topic, but I think it will be of interest to other > graveyard stompers. I noticed your signature: "aka Graveseeker on > Geocaching.com," and this is a subject that I have been considering. That > is, I often have a hard time finding graves a second time. Is a GPS precise > enough to get me back to within a few feet of a grave? If I buy a GPS, > would the coordinates it gives me work on anyone else's to get them to the > same spot? The FAQ on the GeoCaching.com website said they should get you > to within 6 to 20 feet. That should be close enough to find a headstone. > Could you give me some personal feedback? Thanks. > > -Les > > ooh, why didn't I think of this! Anne (Percival) Kruszka

My experience with GPS has been very favorable. I purchased a unit along with a map program from DeLorme a few years ago. I hooked it up with my Compaq laptop. I found it sensitive enough to follow my track around in the back yard. Be aware that I am not pushing any Delorme products, just relating my experience with them. The particular software I use allows saving of the 'trip' which can be played back in real time or faster or slower. This allows notes to be taken while you are sitting at home. And yes a coordinate is a coordinate no matter where it comes from so is usable by anyone. For instance my location is 44.19:84809N 87:37.37153W. My unit uses 4 aa cells and is good for about 4 hours. The unit is just a receiver with no read out of it's own so the laptop is a necessity. I would guess some one makes a GPS receiver with a direct read out in coordinates but I haven't seen one. One advantage in using the map program and the GPS is the ability to follow roads until you get to where you might have to hike to an old cemetery and then record as much of the trip as you think necessary for sharing or locating again in the future. One little thing that I found interesting. Using the laptop in the car and tracking my progress shows some severe deviation from the map. Your little green arrow showing your movement is often shown alongside the road which is an indicator that the GPS is a lot better than the maps! Won't go into the collision I had with an apple tree while watching my progress on the laptop while walking around in the back yard. Will however discuss any other questions one might have about my limited GPS experience. Ron Mitchell ronboy1@msn.com