Product Description

This continues to be the best-selling instructional for the wildly popular consumer GPS technology because it is also the most up-to-date of any text on the topic.

The fourth edition covers improvements in GPS accuracy as a result of WAAS (Wide Area Augmentation System). Many new GPS receivers now accept corrective signals from this system of satellites and ground stations. WAAS is referred to in every section of the book describing accuracy.

The updated title has a new chapter explaining how to download maps and computer software to a GPS receiver, including examples readers can follow.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #210309 in Books
• Published on: 2003-11
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 208 pages

Billings Gazette
A good book for those considering buying a GPS.

Sacramento Bee
Essential if you plan to ski or snowboard off marked trails.

About the Author
Lawrence Letham, an electrical engineer, is an avid hiker and camper long fascinated by maps and the art of navigation. He lives in Arizona.

Customer Reviews

Understand What you Bought!!
I bought this book to help me with my Garmin Etrex Vista GPS. I was a total beginner and knew next to nothing about what was going on.

Even if you only read the first 4 chapters of this book, you will gain an ability to interact and control your GPS well. The main thing this author does for you is systematically explain things such as ROUTES, MAP DATUM, GRIDS, BEARINGS, COMPASS and WAYPOINTS. Via his discussion, you can check your own GPS to see what settings it is aligned to and make intelligent changes if you need to.

To give an example, in my case, I had the GPS first and then struggled to use it for geocaching. One thing I learned was why my GPS always seemed "off" the mark by quite a bit. This had to do with the settings in my GPS being WAAS enabled or not. This info was not in the literature that came with my GPS that I could see.

Also, his discussion on satellites and how a GPS relates to them provides you with an idea about accuracy and why the numbers on your GPS display may change the way they do when you are out and about.

The chapters after 1-4 tend to be specific to particilar kinds of uses and may or may not be useful to you. I recommend looking at the table of contents to see if your specific use for a GPS is listed. Nonetheless, the first 4-5 chapters are very helpful. You will have to re-read some of it a couple of times to remember some of the acronyms and practice with your GPS to get the most out of this book.

Early guide to the facts of GPS and mapping
This book is the book I bought along with my Garmin etrex vista. The book covers the original generation of GPS systems and gives a thorough overview of the common (and not so common) systems adopted around the world for mapping locations.

It is invaluable as a reference and for anybody who wants to know more than how to push a button.

I would never, ever, travel to any remote area without at least two good compasses and the requisite topos. Yes, I love my GPS - but I have to replace it because it was lost (along with a daypack) in a self-arrest on Mt. Moran last summer. Batteries run down and wars may make the system less accurate (or unavailable). All of these issues are covered in this fine little book.

GPS technology is wonderful and the EU plans to launch yet another system in the next decade. The devices will become more affordable -- but the fundamental aspects of mapping and how these devices work is well explained by this fine reference and it will remain the reference for years to come.

What Do You Expect
Great book, does exactly what the title says it will do