KAYAK DIVERS > GEAR > Navigation

Overview: Finding a dive site or wreck will usually require the use of a number of things including a GPS, guide books, OS maps, marine charts and possibly a compass. Nothing beats local knowledge or an accurate GPS position but usually it's not quite that simple. Most diving guide books were written before the use of GPS was common, or they transcribe old pre GPS positional data relying on transits, manual co-ordinates and vague descriptions.... GPS You can either keep it simple and go for a standard GPS or go the whole hog and get a hand held chart plotter with onboard mapping and tide data. Usually for kayak diving simplest is best. GOOD: Accurate navigation and positioning to within a few meters. BAD: You no longer have a valid excuse for getting lost. REMEMBER: To ignore anyone that tells you they are inaccurate. Paper Maps & Charts: Used mainly for trip planning and research. We generally use Admiralty and Imray marine charts and Ordnance Survey 1:50,000 and 1:25,000 land maps. These can be purchased as ordinary paper or laminated to prolong their life. Maps and charts are generally too big to be practical out on a kayak so the best thing to do is scan the area you want, print it on A4 and laminate it. GOOD: For trip planning and research. BAD: In wind. REMEMBER: Chart tables are difficult to fit to kayaks. Electronic Maps & Charts: The main advantage of PC based mapping is the ease and speed of obtaining accurate grid references and the ability to directly communicate data to and from a GPS. We use Ordnance Survey mapping converted for use on PC by Memory-Map. This comes with a licence to print up to A4 size for personal use which is ideal for laminating. Memory-Map also produce Admiralty Charts for PC. Garmin's BlueChart marine cartography is excellent and can used on PC, printed onto A4 or, uploaded into a compatible Garmin GPS for real-time navigation. GOOD: For trip planning and research, printing to A4 and linking to GPS. BAD: Nothing, except.... REMEMBER: They're tricky to take down the pub for a planning session. Compasses: A standard magnetic compass is a good back up to a GPS. There's no point in replicating, just use your diving compass. GOOD: Cheap, simple, relaible, could get you out of trouble when the fog rolls in. BAD: Nothing but..... REMEMBER: not to be tempted by electronic ones. They're "pointless" and not very good.