Navigation and Seamanship (1+1)

Waypoints and Track

GPS receivers allow you to enter and mark waypoints, and will keep track of the path you have traveled, also called the “Track.” Waypoints are a location of interest. They can be downloaded to the receiver from a computer, entered manually using the keypad, or “marked.” Marking a waypoint is the most straightforward Once a waypoint has been marked you can see it on the Map Page and use the Compass Page to get directions on how to get there. Different receivers will have differing capacities for storing waypoints but normally with 500 waypoints.

Waypoints can also be transferred or downloaded to the receiver using a personal computer. To do this you need a serial cable and a computer program that can talk to the receiver. When you enter a waypoint you can select the icon to be used to display it and the waypoint identifier (a name or number). You can also view the elevation, latitude, and longitude. Entering digits for the waypoint names can be a little tedious with the up/down arrows. The receiver also keeps a record of where you have been. This is usually called the “Track.” The receiver automatically selects an interval of time or distance between points to provide a pretty smooth representation of your path without filling up the memory too quickly. The track is convenient for finding your way back to a location. You can also see your progress on the map display. It is a good idea to enter waypoints along your path to identify points of particular interest, rather than just relying on the track.