you are all way off
all you need is a laptop or mobile phone with the app
try this
http://www.darnay.com/iec/features/locator/index.html
My favorite GPS Story
– Last Updated: Apr-15-11 6:29 PM EST –
GPSs are wonderful, convenient and fun, but I think some people with limited practical experience tend to become blind to obvious navigation clues once they become too focused on that little screen.
Many years ago during what I seem to remember was the second Wisconsin River Rendezvous, our whole group was on the lookout for the mouth of the Kickapoo River. We thought we ought to be seeing it at any moment when we passed a stagnant little inlet on the right-hand river bank. A GPS user paddling alongside me said "this is the Kickapoo River", to which I responded, "the GPS is wrong" because this little inlet had no flow, was shallow and appeared on it's way to dwindling to nothing way back in the woods, and it was full of duckweed, and numerous painted turtles were sunning on floating logs. None of that stuff was "right" for a river, not even a tiny river and certainly not one as big as the Kickapoo. Not the lack of flow, not the duckweed, not the floating logs, not the painted turtles, not the rapidly-shallowing water back into the woods. The GPSer wasn't buying any of that logic and showed me the map on the screen, and sure enough the GPS was convinced of the nature of that little inlet, but the GPS couldn't "see" what the rest of us could see.
It turned out that the the mouth of the Kickapoo River was just a little farther downstream, just out of sight around a little outward curve of the riverbank, and a massive flow of chocolate-colored water greeted us it came into view. No question about it, THIS was a real tributary instead of some little pond in the woods. The GPS was using map data that was probably 50 or 100 years out of date. It was clear now that the little inlet HAD been the mouth of the Kickapoo at some time in the distant past, but no one would ever have decided it must be the mouth of a sizable river without being told that by an infallible device.
Oh, does it seem like an extreme example for map data to be so erroneous? On rivers, that is the norm. Just pick any river of the meandering variety and compare the latest topographic map view of some portion with what shows up on recent aerial photos of the same place. Islands, multi-channel sections, degree of "horse-shoeing" of the sharper bends: Lots of those features will be radically different than what's shown on the topo map. Sometimes they are different only in shape, but sometimes totally different. That kind of stuff does not ever get updated on the maps, as far as I can tell (they seem to limit updates to new man-made features, not features that were gradually altered by Nature). I find those changes to be pretty fascinating. And by the way, a GPS can be a great tool when trying to pick the right path among a network of abandoned or semi-abandoned river channels at the upstream end of a flatland reservoir, but finding your own way by means of valid clues is more fun (some of you folks in the deep south probably have the chance to navigate some pretty complex mazes that way).
What is a compass? 
…I have been using GPS’s for a bit over 10 years. I have them all (they have never failed)…
Either is better than…
just following someone else and trusting them.
I like that story illustrates
that the thing between your ears is pretty important.
But a map and compass does not necessarily give you any better data.
In 1991 we were canoeing in Wabakimi on a canoe route that was still being touted by the Ministry of Natural Resources. Well it turned out that this route had not been used in years so out came the compass so we could try to follow the best guess route to the next lake. It was about 3/4 mile approximately.
We arrived to a swale of dead tree trunks and tamaracks and pitcher plants. No water. No lake. Now we had to take bearings to make the best route around the former lake. And continue the next or the same portage…as there was nothing to paddle. Another 1/2 mile of walking. We found the portage start at the far shore of what had been the lake by compass work and sniffing for fifty year old garbage.
If your data (map) is out of date…its not so much the GPS or the compass…its the data…
The map had last been reviewed in 1953. Doh… folks check your map dates.
Gps, compass and map
Every year i go boating around Parry Sound in Georgian Bay.
I think there is 30,000+ islands in the area. Even with my Garmin eTrex venture, a goverment map and a compass not to mention 10 years of trips in the area and i still get momentarily lost sometimes.
When you’re on the water, islands can look all the same. The point is have as many tools with you to aid in navigation.
You Are Describing My Friends
They feed me well and I navigate for them. They are way too trusting.
Time to play a joke on them!
Very trusting, follow you anywhere…I bet you can think of some (harmless) pranks to nudge them out of that complacency. 
I think everybody’s been like that, certainly at the beginning. I know I was. But it makes things safer if more than one person is paying attention to navigational matters. Leaders do make mistakes.
Thanks Pika
You inspired me to brush up on my chart and compass skills. There IS something satisfying about not being so dependent on the gadget.
Great thread
And great discussion. I’m actually pleased to see that so many respondents use compass and chart primarily. The poster who made the distinction between navigation and following directions nailed it.
My step father was a professional mariner for decades on the Pacific and the North Sea. He recalls starting out in the 60s when most boats had on-board radar, but most skippers had learned the trade with dead reckoning. He was always respectful of how much knowledge and skill the old skips had in the art of navigation.
This is not to discount the value of newer technologies , but there is much to be learned in terms of judgment, interpretation, and observation of the sea when using the simpler technologies.
I am sure they use their…
Cars, cell phones, etc… BUT! I am SURE they also have a reliable back-up system that they KNOW works “all the time, every time”.
I use my truck alot, cause it is easier. Although, in the summer, I know for a fact that my bike will go every time I get on it… The battery will never die, the ball joints will never go bad, and the exhaust will never be too loud. And it will not cost me money to make a quick run to the store.
Learn a valuable skill & USE this skill, so that “if” your batteries fail, you won’t freak out & you can get to where you need to be.
Try this… Leave your house & go to Wal-Mart (or where ever) and leave your cell phone at home. Go back home after about an hour or two. Then check you phone to see what you actually missed, or didn’t miss.
Many times I had almost thrown my mind to panic, by leaving the house without my cell phone. Almost enough to turn around and go get it. But after I got home from where ever it was I went, I found that “I DIDN’T MISS A THING!!!”. AND furthermore, what ever call I did miss, I either got a voicemail or called them back later… NOT A BIG DEAL.
Paddle easy,
Coffee
nobody has said
My gps in my car can barely get me to the grocery store some days. You know, the lady is telling you to turn left and there is no road. So why would I trust one on my boat. Maps are for cool kids. Gps are for chumps. But I like the pretty picture showing me where I am.
Ryan L.
both
My kayak came with a deck compass. A handheld compass will set you back about $15. Pretty cheap, and it needs no batteries.
If you never need your compass that’s a good thing. But can you say for sure you never will?
Know the basics
A GPS is a great tool but knowing how to use a map and compass gives you confidence in knowing your surroundings. Terrain association with your map, compass and GPS is the best way to go. Those who leave a map and compass at home or just never pull them out to refresh themselves are asking for bad things to happen. Navigation is a perishable skill not to mention fun to practice. Maps can be out of date, user error with your GPS, not knowing what declination is and arrogance can lead to getting lost but I guess you can’t be lost if you don’t care where you’re at.
gps for sure
i like that when im home i can hook it up to google earth and it shows where i have been . plus im very bad at geting lost so i use the gps and have many places that i know well stored in the gps.but i start to bring compass with me to after reading this post