GPS- How Do You Determine the Coordinates of Your Find?

[McHorse]

Hi all,

This is a pretty open ended question, so feel free to take the discussion where you like!!

I was wondering how you all determine and record the location of your find? Do you use some sort of GPS? Google maps? Paper maps? Take photos? Drawings?

if you use a GPS, what type do you use and why?

Regards,

Ciaran.

[Fossildude19]

I use an old Garmin eTrex that I got as a gift about 12 years ago.

It is easy to use, and can help me get back to the car , as well as TO the sites.

Whut?

Edited March 29, 2016 by Fossildude19

[TNCollector]

I find my site on Google Maps, click on it, and it gives you the GPS coordinates. Really easy!

[Troodon]

Yep also have a Garmin eTrex, it's a must for me, I get lost easily wandering badlands. Easy to use.

[Past Hunter]

I have an old Magellan works great.

Also smart phones if you have service at the site will provide your location. Pictures taken with location services on will also show your location.

[MarleysGh0st]

I use an app called GeoCam on my Android phone, that lets me take an augmented-reality photo including the GPS coordinates.

[McHorse]

Just downloaded the geocam app. It looks quite handy. Thanks for the info gents

[jpc]

I only recently moved into the world of GPS. I still love using topo maps but since I have been relying on the GPS,my mapping skills have suffered. That makes me feel stupid. I don't like relying solely on technology. I am not very good at GPSing and spend much time cussing it.

[FossilDudeCO]

^ exactly what JP said. I have not figured out how to use a GPS machine aside from the one in my car.

And I am terrible with it.

[sTamprockcoin]

I've use a garmin e-trex for years to record my Coords and I enter them into my rock datatbase on cold snowy days. One caveat make a note of the elevation too - Especially if the fossils/minerals came from a very specific layer up in a cut. remember that Clouds and vegeatative cover can lower the accuracy of the cordinates. Its been fun to send and see the response to GPS coords when asked for a location.

NOTE: this answer came from a "geek-ier" than average rockhound who actually found someone's secret spot because they "forgot" to remove the GPS data from the metafile of the Photo they posted!

[Ptychodus04]

I used to use a Garmin E-trex and still do if I'm out in the boonies. Normally, I use the compass app on my Iphone which gives coordinates and then I record them in my field notes for significant finds.

[Bguild]

I just use an app called GPS tour. Works well for me, but I also am not wandering around the badlands.

[DeepTimeIsotopes]

I use both the topo maps and a Garmin eTrex. It's nice to have multiple sources to keep track as the topo maps are old and the GPS is sometimes incorrect as to which roads are which.

[Dave pom Allen]

hi what i use for nz locations when i get home if i dont carry a GPS. is this site http://www.topomap.co.nz go to more and press coordinates.can also be viewed is a satellite.hope this helps

[Ridgehiker]

I've use a garmin e-trex for years to record my Coords and I enter them into my rock datatbase on cold snowy days. One caveat make a note of the elevation too - Especially if the fossils/minerals came from a very specific layer up in a cut. remember that Clouds and vegeatative cover can lower the accuracy of the cordinates. Its been fun to send and see the response to GPS coords when asked for a location.

NOTE: this answer came from a "geek-ier" than average rockhound who actually found someone's secret spot because they "forgot" to remove the GPS data from the metafile of the Photo they posted!

Yes, elevation!

I rarely use a GPS but uncanny how they help to find productive layers. We have a Centrasaurus bone bed that is quite extensive. One time climbing up a big hoodoo, looking for footholds, etc., I checked the GPS and stopped at the elevation of the bonebed . I came face to face with horn, frill, etc. ..of a skull. It was as if it was looking right at me. Would never have noticed it otherwise.

GPS are handy. I only don't use it more out of habit. I'm old school and trained with topos, compass, air photos.

Edited May 12, 2016 by Ridgehiker

[Raggedy Man]

I use paper maps, GPS and photos.

[DE&i]

Thanks for the heads up from all of you using the Garmin eTrex. Sounds like a handy piece of kit.

[PetrolPete]

I use an app called Theodolite, it lets you take a picture and will record the gps location on the picture along with date, time, altitude, etc along with an optional note.

[sixgill pete]

I also use an old Garmin E-Trex. But just not for fossiling, also for recording great fishing sites as well.

[DeepTimeIsotopes]

I also use an old Garmin E-Trex. But just not for fossiling, also for recording great fishing sites as well.

Fishing sites, campsites, where I parked my car/ATV's... It's a neat little device once you get the hang of it.

[sixgill pete]

Fishing sites, campsites, where I parked my car/ATV's... It's a neat little device once you get the hang of it.

very true. also marking places to avoid while out in the wild.

[CraigHyatt]

I take a photo of my find with my iPhone. The option to save GPS is enabled. Later, I use an app MapPlus to display the photo on a map.

I don't use GPS much, but it came in handy recently. A few months ago, I found a 75 or 80 mm shell while wandering around. I had no use for it, so I took a photo and left it. A week ago, I visited a tiny local history museum where the curator had a nice ordnance collection (this area used to be a military base, Fort Duncan).

I showed him the photo, and he seemed pretty excited, so I told him I'd bring the shell to him if I could find it. Using the app and the photo's GPS info, I walked straight to it. The curator was thrilled to add to his collection, and also to have the location so he could look for more stuff with his metal detector.

https://m.facebook.com/Fort-Duncan-Museum-Eagle-Pass-Texas-1606866469548230/

Edited July 17, 2016 by CraigHyatt

[Bozark]

I'm on a low budget, I tend to use the phone gps where possible and make a note of it in my field notes. I've been less than impressed with the accuracy however, so I tend to use it to get me in the general area. If I'm excavating, I'll generally put a white flag near the site and an orange flag on the nearest prominent outcrop. GPS coords take me close enough to find the orange flag, and from the orange flag I can see the white flag. Of course, wind and rain being what they are, I also add circles or arrows of stones near the site, multiple layers or redundancy are invaluable when you have the ability to utilize them