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 HOW TO USE GPS-FIND LOCATION
INFORMATION GUIDES
Operating a GPS for backcountry or geocaching use is quite simple after a few minutes of experimenting
All About Backpacking with a device and following some simple GPS instructions like those included in this article. This is one of
a series of articles we have on our site about GPS usage; see below for a complete listing of our GPS
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how-to articles.
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This article discusses how to find your location on a print map using coordinates of your current location
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recorded by a gps. We often use a basic Garmin eTrex unit as our go-to example, but all GPS units
GeoCaching 101 function in very similar ways and have similar features. Before you start with these instructions, learn
which keys, buttons or menu selections activate the following basic functions on the GPS you’re using:
How to Use GPS

How to Use Trekking Poles • Move between pages or menu screen – Usually a button labeled “Page”. Like choosing between open
programs or tabs on your computer screen.
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Teambuilding with GPS • Scroll within choices on a page – this may be a “rocker” button or two “up-and-down” buttons, similar to
the function a mouse or cursor movers does on a computer.
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Water Issues & Treatment • Select a choice – usually a button that says “Enter”. Serves the same function as the enter key on a
computer or “OK” on a smartphone.
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Which Gear is Right for Me HOW TO FIND YOUR LOCATION ON A PRINT MAP USING A GPS:

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First, you need to make sure the coordinate units on your GPS (latitude/longitude, UTM, etc) are set to
the same format as appearing out to the side of your map. If you’re not sure how to do this, read this
article on how to change measurement units and map format setting on a gps.
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Then, write down the GPS address for your current location. Either mark your location to capture the
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address, or some will show your current location on a navigation page. See our article on how to mark
Product Manuals a waypoint with a GPS for more information.

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The map will have reference coordinates marked at periodic intervals – every minute for example, or
Our Guarantee every kilometer on the UTM grid. Armed with one half of the coordinate pair from the GPS, find the
closest reference points on the map, and estimate the distance you are between the tic marks. For
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example, assume the longitude tic marks are shown for 111 degrees, 25 minutes and 111 degrees, 26
See us on Facebook minutes, etc. If the GPS shows you at 111 degrees, 25.345 minutes longitude then you know you are
approximately 1/3 of the way between the 2 map tic marks. Draw a vertical line down from that estimated
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point. Then do the same process for the latitude coordinates: assume the latitude tic marks are shown
Contact Us for 33 degrees, 43 minutes and 33 degrees, 44 minutes, etc. If the GPS shows you at 33 degrees,
43.769 minutes latitude then you know you are approximately 3/4 of the way between the 2 map tic
marks. Draw a horizontal line across from that estimated point.

Where the 2 lines you’ve drawn intersect is your approximate location on the print map. To narrow it
down further, and to confirm your calculations, look around and compare notable landmarks you see to
those appearing on the printed topo map.

We have a nice library of how-to articles on this site. If you rent a GPS from LowerGear, we will also
include a print or online user guide with full details on how to use it. We are also available to assist you
over the phone. Links to our other articles in this series follow:

Our GPS Overview page

How to Mark a Waypoint with a GPS
How to Manually Enter a Waypoint Coordinate into a GPS
How to Navigate to a Waypoint with a GPS
How and Why to Change Map Orientation on a GPS
How to Change Measurement Units and Map Format Setting on a GPS
How to Record a Track of Waypoints on a GPS
What does WAAS Mean for a GPS
Using a GPS for Geocaching

See all of the GPS navigation and geocaching rental gear we can deliver to you for your next back-
country, geocaching or driving adventure!
 We’ll ship your rented GPS unit direct to your home before your trip, or to any other convenient location.
Or, you can pick up the GPS at our backpacking and camping retail store in the Phoenix area if your
travels are nearby. After your trip, just package up the rented GPS back into the same box we shipped
to you, use the prepaid return label, and drop off the rental at any UPS shipping point.

If we’re shipping to you, order far enough in advance to allow for transit time. You are not charged rent
during the transit days. We can get GPS rentals to you in anywhere in the US in 5 business days or less
via UPS Ground, and expedited shipping methods for quicker deliveries are available. For more
information, call us at (866) 994-4537 or stop by our outdoor retail store in Tempe, Arizona.

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