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Hello All,
I have a Garmin 4208 Plotter and experiancing an issue with the true distance to a waypoint. For example, yesterday when I inputed the Lat and Log numbers from a paper chart in the plotter the distance is off by 20-23 nautical miles. I confirmed this with fishing buddies in my Marina.
What could be causing this? Should I do a system re-set? I will only loose 5-8 waypoints so I am not concerned about that.
Thanks, Rick
you sure you are inputting the correct format (i.e. degrees-minutes-tenths/hundredths/thousandths of a degree ofrdegrees-minutes-seconds)? Doesn't matter which one you use, just be consistent.
Yes. I am putting the numbers in correctly I think. The first 5 numbers are entered correctly but on the chart it does'nt have the last two or three numbers so I put entered a 00. What could it be??
Scroll your cursor on the map page to where you think that waypoint should be and create a waypoint. Compare the lat and long numbers of your two marks, you may see a difference in the formats.
__________________
If it ain't broke, I haven't played with it.
I just don't think that it should be that off. In the past I has a Garmin 276 plotter and no problem at all. What formats do you mean? I'll try what you are recommending, it is somewhat difficult when locations are 50 miles out.
Yes. I am putting the numbers in correctly I think. The first 5 numbers are entered correctly but on the chart it does'nt have the last two or three numbers so I put entered a 00. What could it be??
I think you have trying to enter coordinates in one format to a system set for another. The numbers should match exactly. There are several ways to indicate a position, kind of like English measurements vs. metric. You can to the same place, but if you don't use the right format you'll be in the wrong position.
Remember the Mars rover that slammed into the planet up a couple years ago? One engineerring team was using metric, he other English. The conversion wasn't done right and the spacecraft ended up in the wrong place. I think the same thing is happening to you.
The 4208 can be set to display GPS coordinates in a couple ways. As SeaSwirler said, typically in decimals (EX 75.12356 degrees west), or degrees-minutes-seconds (Ex. 75deg, 14' 23" west).
The most important thing is to see what format your old numbers are in, then set your 4208 to match that format. You should not have to "fill in" extra number on the end - that's a dead giveaway that your formats don't match.
__________________
__________________________ "Jennifer B."
2006 Sea Ray 270 Amberjack
Setauket, NY (Long Island)
Do you know what format the GPS should be set for Cape May, New Jersey? I have'nt changed the format as of yet. I am trying to input from a fishing chart.
The format is your's to choose .... there is no one set GPS format for any location. If you enter one way you if entered correctly the first time then choose one of three settings and your position won't change just how it's formatted.
I'm guessing that the current setting must not be the right one since the coordinates that I entered are steering me 20nm to far. Bluewaterpirate was very helful last night explaining the differant settings so when i get tho the boat this week I'll inspect the current setting and enter the correct on for Cape May, New Jersey. This is where I do all my fishing..
Rick
I never experianced this before and didn't have to change settings. I am going to get a new paper chart as well with total coordinates and cross referance them with the setting to confirm.
It's not so much for location; any location can be described by any format. It's your preference and what data you already have.
For example, you are taking a measurement and you tape measure has markings in both inches and centimeters. If it is your first measurement, it doesn't matter which you use, so you pick one format. If all your other measurements are in inches, it makes most sense to continue to use inches so you don't mess up your measurement.
Same for the GPS: figure out what your existing format is, and set your new unit to be the same.
__________________
__________________________ "Jennifer B."
2006 Sea Ray 270 Amberjack
Setauket, NY (Long Island)
I had the same issue you do. When I sent my 4212 back for repair, they sent me a brand new unit. Out of the box it was set for a different setting. It looked right, but when I manually programmed in a number for sea trout, it showed the number about 20 miles inland.
Go to the main menu, then the bottom selection (Information or configure something like that). Then select GPS, then format. Look for the correct format and select. Then put in your number. It should be right from there.
__________________
If it ain't broke; don't break it.
Tom,
Thank you for taking the time on this subject and I'll check on my unit and see if I need to put it back to the default setting. I also contacted Garmin yesterday and the gentleman said that it should be set at
hddd mm.mmm. I gave him the Lat and Long for the east lumps that you shared with me and he said that the location was approximetly 22 miles from Cape May Inlet which is what my freinds told me. Rick
Thanks Bluewaterpirate and everyone else that responded to this request. I re-set my Garmin 4208 to the proper setting and distances to waypoints are now correct thank god.
Rick
Garmin 4208
