Meridian GPS & UTM

Thanks for the quick response, thats seems to have helped. Next Q, when I set up in MGRS it asks for grid type MGRS -1, MGRS-2 or MGRS-3. Which one.

Pat,
I use MGRS-1 on mine and it works fine.
I don't really know what the differences are between MGRS-1,2,3
As stated below you have to know what map the coordinates are refering to, or they may be prefixed with the world area coordinates:
eg: 56H LH 123456

Cheers
Shawn

Pat, you'll see from that map that zones have a letter as well. If you know roughly what part of the world the coordinates you were given relate to you can figure out the zone and enter the full coordinates into your gps

Well spotted Rick, that was me.

My GPS wants numbers as you describe, the reference (6 digit) I was given was from someone who shall remain nameless (OK it was Pesty ; )) ). He took them direct from his GPS. I'll compare notes with him next time I see him and I'm sure we can work it out from there.

I did arrive at the destination as Pesty's written directions were spot on :)

Once I've worked this out I've got ot get to grips with OziExpolrer. Phew.

Hi Pat,
Yes I didnt give you enough info to punch into your GPS, but enough to check your location with the written position when you pulled up, if your GPS was set on utm.
Sorry mate to put you through such a difficult time hahahah, next time I will give you the full gammit.
The MGRS ( military grid reference system) is slightly different to the UTM/UPS system, so set your GPS to Datum WGS 84 and the Nav system to UTM/UPS

Cheers

My GPS was on the desk at home so not much use last weekend anyway LOL. I was having a play when I got home to compare UTM and Lat/Long, it's a good job Alex has joined the Joey scouts, he can navigate across the Simpson for me.

Hello gentleman - in my never ending quest to learn all about GPS use mapping etc I am very intrested to know why you use this system of recording positions. I can see it being handy in making quick reference to general positions...but what other advantage over giving full UTM or Lat/Long coordinates (just a few more numbers) would it have? It seems to remove the accuracy now availalble with handheld GPS units (~5m) by rounding numbers to the nearest 100m - Ok for a lot of applications I suppose but the format is a bit confusing for users (new and old - as illustrated in posts). I have come across its use in a few Govt publications and it is annoying in is inaccuracy eg bore hole locations. I have a funny feeling it is an outdated system made almost redundant when GPS units were invented
Cheers
Greg

Greg, the accuracy is 1 metre. When that accuracy is not required the coordinates can be abbreviated.

I copied this from http://www.maptools.com/UsingUTM/UTMdetails.html
Some other good stuff about UTM on that site as well.
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The Universal Transverse Mercator projection and grid system was adopted by the U.S. Army in 1947 for designating rectangular coordinates on large scale military maps. UTM is currently used by the United States and NATO armed forces. With the advent of inexpensive GPS receivers, many other map users are adopting the UTM grid system for coordinates that are simpler to use than latitude and longitude.

The UTM system divides the earth into 60 zones each 6 degrees of longitude wide. These zones define the reference point for UTM grid coordinates within the zone. UTM zones extend from a latitude of 80° S to 84° N. In the polar regions the Universal Polar Stereographic (UPS) grid system is used.

UTM zones are numbered 1 through 60, starting at the international date line, longitude 180°, and proceeding east. Zone 1 extends from 180° W to 174° W and is centered on 177° W.

Each zone is divided into horizontal bands spanning 8 degrees of latitude. These bands are lettered, south to north, beginning at 80° S with the letter C and ending with the letter X at 84° N. The letters I and O are skipped to avoid confusion with the numbers one and zero. The band lettered X spans 12° of latitude.

A square grid is superimposed on each zone. It's aligned so that vertical grid lines are parallel to the center of the zone, called the central meridian.

UTM grid coordinates are expressed as a distance in meters to the east, referred to as the "easting", and a distance in meters to the north, referred to as the "northing".
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Personally I find it an easier system to use. Being metres the numbers are something I can relate to, degrees, minutes and seconds don't mean much to me.

Madog – unfortunately handheld GPS units do not have a guaranteed accuracy of 1 metre so even though the coordinates given are to the nearest 1m don’t assume that’s exactly where you are – While you may possibly be at that position you could be 2, 3 or 4 metres away (or more) in any direction. I understand that if accuracy is not needed then its no big deal to use the universal grid reference instead of full UTM coords – or even to round the UTM numbers to the nearest 100m - just was curious as to why you would bother given the confusion it obviously creates. You must also assume that when giving the data out in this format that the person receiving it is happy with the inaccuracy.

Not sure what this has got to do with UTM ie why you posted the info - we have been talking about the Universal Grid Reference System (the abbreviation of coords) not Universal Transverse Mercator - well I thought that was what we were talking about based on first post. I also use UTM all the time (every working day + most weekends) for the same reasons as you.

Cheers
Greg

Sorry Greg, I posted the info because the first post was based on the fact that Pesty had dropped the zone info from the UTM coordinates and Pat's GPS wouldn't accept the coordinates. I therefore assumed you were unfamilar with UTM...my apologies but hopefully some else will pick the system up. From what I can gather the universal grid reference you refer to is simply UTM with truncated accuracy, is that correct ? Not sure why anyone would bother with that either.

REPCO,
Just curious as to why you say that MGRS system will never be used in Australia.
This system can give you accuracy to 1m on thr ground with a ten fig grid.
Years ago the system was only good for the US military because of the inbuilt error, but it has now been turned off. I know it can all turn to poo if they decide to flick the switch and turn the error back on.
Is this the reason why you say it will never be used in Aus??
Cheers
Shawn