Do any of you use a GPS for rangefinding?

[Eaglet]

That's cool!!!

 

[KQguy]

That's cool!!!

Thanks again Eaglet!I was getting ready to give up on my Gps until you chimed in,life is good again.

 

[Eaglet]

Glad I could help!

 

[MontanaRifleman]

I'm assuming the target must be a marked known position? This is not some point and click at a target deal is it? Never have used a GPS.

-MR

 

[KQguy]

I'm assuming the target must be a marked known position? This is not some point and click at a target deal is it? Never have used a GPS.

-MR

Yes,you have to mark the location by actually standing at the target.Once you mark the location,you can get the distance from anywhere.It really has no use in a hunting situation,since you can't mark the animal.It is helpful when setting up long range targets,or even prarie dogs,when you can mark their mounds where they will be standing.

 

[jmason]

Great thread guys. This is a huge help for me to get past the short comings of my range finder as well. I hadn't given thought to using my GPS.

 

[skiking]

A GPS can be used as a range finder but there are certain limitations to them. I did an experiment last summer to test the viability of using it for targets, I took my WAAS enabled etrex out and shot 5 different points about 500 yards apart 10 times, each shot on a single point was 15 minutes apart so that I would negate problems with satellite geometry. All 5 points were also at least 50 yards from any tree, power pole, or object that may induce multipath errors. The next day I borrowed my company's survey grade GPSs and collected data on each point for 2 hours. After the data was collected I averaged all of my etrex points and sent the survey grade measurements for OPUS solutions. After everything was completed, most of the averaged points were within 3 yards of the OPUS solution with 1 point being 10 yards off.

While under ideal conditions, a recreational grade GPS can be reasonably precise, don't put your faith in the "I BELIEVE" button. Most recreational grade GPSs are only good for +/- 15 yards if selective availability is turned off and conditions are ideal. But if you have multipath error, you may be lucky to get withing 40 yards on a single shot. Also if any of the SVs have a timing error, you could be off by over 100 yards.

I think that too many people hit the mark button and take the coordinates to be fact.