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22 replies

GPS...can't drive with 'em and can't drive without 'em!

G gotwood4sale10,000+ posts
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Let it snow, let it snow, gimme a tow!

Personally I don't own one and have no plans to buy one. Can't teach an old dog new tricks I guess.

What are any of your thoughts on these devices? Too much reliance on them saps your innate abilities to get around on reckoning and common sense in my opinion. I think these skills are necessary to have even if you use a GPS. The couple from Reno would undoubtedly agree.

And a piece of advice to anyone who may find themselves stranded in the backwoods...light up a tree to act as a beacon.

Choose a tree near your car or camp, yet far enough away should it topple that it doesn't hit you. After they burn awhile they become unstable, so be careful and stay your distance.

Select a snag (dead tree) that is dry and that will burn easily. All forests have scattered standing dead trees. If you are in a conifer forest try and select one that is loaded with pitch...it will send up lots of smoke. The burning tree acts as a giant chimney and will send a column of smoke into the air that can be seen, on a clear day, for literally dozens of miles. Rescue will follow shortly. A very low tech solution to answer your peril.

Imagine this snag afire sending flames up to 150 or even 200 feet into the sky...it will get noticed!





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B BobbleheadDoll5,000+ posts
GW I am on my 4th. I swear by them and sometimes at them.
I couldn't live without one. I upgrade every time a new one comes out with additional features I need. Mine acts as a hands free for my cell and it reads text messages I receive several times a day.
My GPS is amazing but you have to up grade maps at least once a year. The one I have allows users to make corrections and I can down load the corrections when I connect it to mt computer.
When I get into areas I don't know it leads me out of tricky spots. I have eye sight issues and have a hard time reading signs especially at night. The GPS is a great device but you have to use common sense. If it is leading you down an unplowed road you can get an alternative route very easily.

Even my wife loves it. She doesn't have to get out and ask those garage guys for directions anymore.
PatriotPatriot100+ posts
I love mine. It makes finding new High Schools alot easier. When we travel I can be much more adventurous than I would be without it. Cooperstown, East Cobb, Cary and Miami were great places I have used it. When at the NTIS we hopped in the car and went to Duke and UNC without hesitation about directions or getting lost. We also found Smokey's BBQ on Chappel Hill Road. Yummmmm.
observer44observer441,000+ posts
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quote:
Originally posted by gotwood4sale:

And a piece of advice to anyone who may find themselves stranded in the backwoods...light up a tree to act as a beacon.

Choose a tree near your car or camp, yet far enough away should it topple that it doesn't hit you. After they burn awhile they become unstable, so be careful and stay your distance.

Select a snag (dead tree) that is dry and that will burn easily. All forests have scattered standing dead trees. If you are in a conifer forest try and select one that is loaded with pitch...it will send up lots of smoke. The burning tree acts as a giant chimney and will send a column of smoke into the air that can be seen, on a clear day, for literally dozens of miles. Rescue will follow shortly. A very low tech solution to answer your peril.

Imagine this snag afire sending flames up to 150 or even 200 feet into the sky...it will get noticed!



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OK Woodman...can't bite my tounge any longer..(yes the "image door" is WIDE open on this one - Merry Xmas!)...

You can't just go around burning trees! Are you mad?...It isn't as simply as light a fire, save your life...there are

have you field a TPC? (Timber Harvest Plan)
What about the freed carbon?
Do you have the carbon credits to offset this burn?
Is this burn bird friendly?
What about the owl habitat?
Have you rented alterative housing for them?
Did you give them notice?
Have you filed an environmental impact report?
CEQUA?
Do you have a campfie permit?
Can you arrange for this tree to burn without warming?
Don't you have to check with the Air Quality People about this?
You know of course that you cannot do this on a "spare the air" day without incurring a fine from the local "air police?"
Do you have a plan for the Toxic clean up?
Do you realize that tree pitch is a carcinogen?
How are you planning to get the emgency personel in?
Isn't this a roadless area?

Cool 44
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FungoFungoHighly Regarded and Beloved Old Timer
GW, The GPS is a great tool. Yes on occasion it will take you the wrong way but not nearly as wrong as your "navigator" in the seat beside you. As far as learning new "tricks" the GPS is probably the easiest tech device I have seen to operate. I don't have a "factory" model but do leave one attached to the windshield. I also have a good Garmin handheld that has all the streets and topos of the US and Canada that I use in the outdoors --- You'll never have to burn a tree if you have a GPS. I also have part time hobby called Geocaching which is a "high tech" Easter egg hunt using a GPS. GPS is also great for marking an area that you may want to return to --- say a boat ramp or a baseball field.
Fungo
G gotwood4sale10,000+ posts
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I just ran across this site yesterday while looking for some pictures to post on this thread. I was unaware of geocaching before then.

It is a hobby I think I could enjoy if I weren't cooped up in a city. I'm sure you have fun with it Fungo.

All of the positive attributes regarding GPS I agree with you. I still have pretty good skills on being able to get around without any high tech devices and I think if I were to use any of them my skills would diminish and my reliance on the gadget would increase. I don't want those skills to go away...I'm paranoid perhaps.

And as to the tree burning. Why would you want to deny yourself that simple pleasure?

Of course, if things get out of hand it is always helpful if you have a neighbor who owns one of these...






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Last edited by gotwood4sale

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