GPS Land Navigation

Its primary focus is the use of GPS as a component in land navigation. The material on topographic maps, compass navigation, datums, coordinate systems, and the possible sources of error that are unique to GPS is what makes this book more than a how-to-be-a-techie recguide. It is presented and explained in such a clear and efficient manner that this book is both a valuable resource and an interesting book to just pick up and read.

The chapter on GPS equipment is outdated, but that information can be obtained from salespeople or manufacturers' websites. The cautions and explanations regarding Selective Availability are no longer relevant, since SA was switched off in May 2000. The rest of the material is timeless and fundamental and applies to anything locational. Still, it would be good if a second edition could be written to get rid of the outdated material.

Anyone who takes the time to learn the material covered in this book will gain much more use from a GPS unit and topographic maps. You need to know more than your latitude and longitude. This book will give you the background you need in order to know what your GPS unit is telling you and how to use that information correctly.


Fundamentals are still good   June 9, 2003
1 out of 1 found this review helpful

I bought this book in 1999 when I first started using GPS in recreation and to record locations. Since that time, I have looked through almost every GPS guide aimed at recreational users. This book still holds up as the best I have seen.

Its primary focus is the use of GPS as a component in land navigation. The material on topographic maps, compass navigation, datums, coordinate systems, and the possible sources of error that are unique to GPS is what makes this book more than a how-to-be-a-techie-gearhead recguide. It is presented and explained in such a clear and efficient manner that this book is both a valuable resource and an interesting book to just pick up and read.

The chapter on GPS equipment is outdated, but that information can be obtained from salespeople or manufacturers' websites. The cautions and explanations regarding Selective Availability are no longer relevant, since SA was switched off in May 2000. The rest of the material is timeless and fundamental and applies to anything locational.

Anyone who takes the time to learn the material covered in this book will gain much more use from a GPS unit and topographic maps. You need to know more than your latitude and longitude. This book will give you the background you need in order to know what your GPS unit is telling you and how to use that information correctly.


Still a fine read!   April 22, 2002
REHKSH (Stevensville, MI USA)
4 out of 4 found this review helpful

OK, folks, here it is, April, 2002, and Ferguson's book is 5 years old with GPS technology advancing at an amazing pace... but the true value of his book isn't his discussion on the hardware - it's the absolute wealth of information about LAND NAVIGATION that makes it an enduring treasure! I have found myself coming back to it time and again over my past 4 years of ownership to dig into finer detail about the GPS system, or coordinate systems, or whatever else is associated with land nav using GPS. Despite the outdated GPS hardware commentary, the principles remain the same, and MF's treatment is superb - the measure by which others will be considered.

If you need a basic reference that ties together LAND NAVIGATION with GPS, this should be in your library (along with Bjorn Hjellstrom's classic, "Map & Compass").

73, Bob