Spot Messenger Coordinates Problem

Submitted: Thursday, Feb 16, 2012 at 22:12

ThreadID: 91907 Views:1758 Replies:1 FollowUps:2

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Member - Troll 81 (QLD)

Hi Guys,

I have only ever used my spot to let the family know I am okay and they can check the map to see where I am. I am using it this time to find a location once my mate sends the check-in message so I can meet up with him. Once I put the GPS coordinates into my Garmin Hand-held I am off by 30km’s. I know the spot is using the WGS84 Datum and my GPS is set the same. I have been doing testing in the back yard and when I get my check-in message the coordinates from the SPOT is way different to what is showing on 2 other GPS devices I have ( The 2 are showing the same numbers) it’s off by around 16 minutes.

Now the weirdest part is when I check the Spot link on my computer through Google maps it’s taking me to my correct position. I have double checked that I have put in the coordinates correctly.

Can one of the GPS experts shed some light on this, it has been doing my head in?

Thanks

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Reply By: The Explorer - Thursday, Feb 16, 2012 at 23:14

Thursday, Feb 16, 2012 at 23:14

Hi

I assume the Spot is showing latitude and longitude...so issue is possibly related to the the fact you can display coordinates as

Decimal degrees

30.536960°
122.228640°

Degrees and decimal minutes

30° 32.2176’
122° 13.7184’

and degrees, minutes and decimal seconds (or just seconds if you give the decimals the flick)

30° 32’ 13.0560”
122° 13’ 43.1049”

All the above are the same location...

So make sure you are entering corresponding formats. I dont have a Spot so not sure of what coordinate options exist but gps units normally allow you to change the lat/long format to one of the above so match them to suit.

Cheers
Greg

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AnswerID: 477960

Follow Up By: Zebra400 - Friday, Feb 17, 2012 at 04:33

Friday, Feb 17, 2012 at 04:33

Hi Greg

SPOT uses decimal degrees.

I have been using SPOT for quite a few years now. The positions have been spot on, so I assume your comments are relevant to his error.

Laurie