Need some GPS Education

[Burnsie]

So, I understand degrees, minutes, seconds
(60 minutes per degree and 60 seconds per minute)
If seconds are displayed as a three digit decimal number how do I know how many seconds that is.

ie:  N 40.11.760
    W 88.24.995

How do I read the 760 and the 995??

[GANGGREEN]

You can convert them (I'm sure if you google it, you'd find a page that will convert it), or you can tell your GPS unit to calculate it in degree/minute/second form rather than as a decimal.

[DarkTimber]

Multiply 0.760 and 0.995 by 60.  So N 40deg 11.760' = N 40deg 11' 46 " (rounded up) and W 88 deg 24.995' = W 88deg 24' 60"

[Bear Heart]

I wish more maps were made in the military grid reference system

[Pete McMiller]

Bear Heart, If you are refering to the UTM (universal transverse meridian) scale, I get my maps printed with the UTM grid lines on the map in addition to the Lat/Lon lines.  I find the UTM (for the uninitiated it means the lines are 1 kilometer apart) to be much easier to use when transfering your position to a topo map.  I think the only reason most maps aren't printed with them is that most people are not aware it exists.

[Flatshooter]

Hey Pete,
Like the "Charter Member- Ye Old F.A.R.T.S" reference. Got Newfoundland trip booked for 2014. Two "charter members" will be joining me. Hope to forward an e-mail to the guys regarding an African bow hunt the next year. Never too early to start planning.

[Burnsie]

Thanks, DarkTimber

[Bear Heart]

MGRS takes UTM and breaks it down even more.