Mapping Coordinates

UTM is better for using with maps and its not hard to wotk out how far away a waypoint is as its measured in metres.

for conveying info to other people in other states sometimes the degrees and minutes can be better as theres no confusuion over zones.

When i learned the difference i started sing UTM

Definately not alone Whacker

I think the original post was about decimal degrees (or minutes) ...or was cobbers reference to "decimal coordinates" relating to UTM? Even talking about it can get confusing :)

Cheers
Greg

UTM is nice to use.

However, in a commercial application we logged several thousand of our customer locations in decimal degrees as it was easier and unambiguous for data entry and we could standardise to six decimal places.

It is a hassle with a mixture of decimal degrees, decimal minutes and degrees/minutes/seconds. Conversion programs work ok but it would be good to have one standard. Can't see it happening though.

Hi Curious, I didnt think of the data entry side of things, just my own problems, being selfish :-). I am of the same opinion, one standard would be terrific, it will probably happen when there is world peace.....
Whacker

Hi Explorer,Thanks for the reply, I have no problem using either decimal or minutes/seconds, but why dont they!! make it one or the other, like pounds shillings pence to dollars and feet and inches to metric.............what I find frustrating is that most maps are in minutes and seconds and you find out about a good camp site with the coordinates in decimals.........Bugger..lol

Hi - I am still not sure if you mean UTM when you state "decimal coordinates" or decimal degrees (or minutes)....either way there will never be a standard - as I mentioned there are (real) advantages of using different formats in different circumstances, plus people will just have a personal preference irrespective of what others use.

The rise in popularity of computers, gps mapping programs, digital mapping and gps units has made it easy to convert between any system at the press of a button so I, personally, dont see any issue. I can however see how it can get confusing and frustrating for others though - been there myself once or twice.

Cheers
Greg

UTM stands for Universal Transverse Mercator Projection and is not the reason why the issue of displaying Degrees Minutes and Seconds versus Degrees.decimal degrees arises. The only reason why Degrees.decimal degrees are now being used is because we now have computers and degrees.decimal degrees are easiy entered into computer files such as CSV and xls Files when recording POIs and such like. Degrees, Minutes and Second symbols are not recognised as a legitimate types of entry in these files. Nor can the symbols be entered into many web sites that easily. Its as simple as that. Also, Degrees.decimal degrees are easily added and subtracted which is not the case with Degrees Minutes and Seconds.

If you wish to convert Degrees.Decimal Degrees to Degrees Minutes and Seconds it is rather straight forward. Multiply the .decimal degrees by 60 and the resultant whole number are you minutes. Then multiply the remaining decimal value by 60 again and that the seconds.

For example 23 (degrees cause I can't enter the degrees symbol in this follow up) 24' 49" equals 23.41365 Degrees.

If you can't handle that then consider using Grid Values (Eastings and Northing in Metres) which are an alternate coordinate system. This system has inherent complications as well as with these you start talking about Zones which are in 6 degree bands of longitude around Australia.

"UTM stands for Universal Transverse Mercator Projection and is not the reason why the issue of displaying Degrees Minutes and Seconds versus Degrees.decimal degrees arises."

True - but no one said it was. As mentioned I am not sure if cobber is referring to coordinates in UTM or decimal degrees...he just states decimal coordinates. I, like you, suspect he is speaking about decimal degrees...but others (read above) have headed down the UTM path (fair enough - his comment is slightly ambiguous). In no instance was anyone suggesting UTM referred to decimal degrees.

"Degrees, Minutes and Second symbols are not recognised as a legitimate types of entry in these files."

Yes the symbols are not recognised but you can enter degrees, minutes and seconds (minus the symbols) into OziExplorer (either directly or via import of csv file) and it recognises them - not all programs are created equal:)

"I can't enter the degrees symbol in this follow up"

Yes you can - use Alt+176 and you get °

Cheers
Greg

Greg,

No argument from me, I did interpret that there was some confusion and it would not be the first time.

I wish Alt+176 worked for me but it doesn't. Try as I might.

I understand that some programs like Ozi are capable of understanding degrees minutes & seconds. I just find that bulk editing of .txt files or xls files to ensure they are importable into Ozi makes Decimal degrees much easier operate with.

Whiles I still prefer the traditional method of representing geographic coordinates, I've found it expedient to switch to decimal degrees on occasions.

WBS (aka Toolman)

Sorry that was suppose to be Alt+0176

How to enter degree symbol

Cheers
Greg

23° There! Got it!

I might add it didn't work at previous attempts because I was using the general keyboard, not the number pad. How dumb was that.

Thanks Greg

WBS

and then to make proper use of that accuracy you would need a DGPS type setup

True, past a certain point. The documented accuracy of handheld GPS units is typically +/- 5 metres (better if you are in a part of the world with WAAS/EGNOS)

So there is justification (about 20 metres of justification actually:) for using decimal Lat/Long or UTM instead of straight DMS even if not using a DGPS type stetup if you need some better accuracy when recording/passing on your data.

Cheers
Greg

"Land - UTM or D.D"

Hi - Better tell the map makers - all the maps I have show lat/long as degress minutes and seconds (and usually UTM) - no decimals to be seen. If the "standard" is decimal degrees when did it come in? Do you have a reference for these "standards"?

I can believe there are standards that cover all aviation and marine applications....but think due to the wide range of different groups/users/applications for land that no one standard could be created and universally accepted.

Cheers
Greg