>From: "Rob Brinkerhoff" >Reply-To: listserv@azgeocaching.com >To: >Subject: Re: [Az-Geocaching] Used Garmin Extrex Legend/Vista? >Date: Fri, 16 Jan 2004 18:39:13 -0700 > >How did the old traditional balloonist navigate in the "old >days" without a GPS? >A lost art... > >-WJ Not very accurately, that's fore sure!!!!!! :) LOL GPS's have made competition balloon flights MUCH more accurate and we are now often times able to 'steer' our balloons within meters or less of a target's center. Back in the early days, a baggie drop of 500' or more was considered good. Now, if you cant get your marker/baggie within the center square of the X (less than a half a meter from dead center), you are probably not in the prize money! Also, many competitive flights now require GPS, as the tasks/goals of each flight are simply too complicated and simply not attainable without a GPS unit on board. NABA, the sanctioning body for competitive ballooning in the US now using Garmin supplied GPS's onboard every balloon (these are a 'black box' type thing that tracks our every move). Now, on 'local' flights, I do typically carry my GPS on board. I use it to tell the control tower of an airport I might be flying near my exact position (rather than guestimating). But, if I am outside controlled airspace, I rarely use the GPS. It's main uses are in competition flying and adventure flying, where routing and mapping work is critical. Yep... in the old days, they didnt have GPS's on board their balloons, they didnt need them. They could barely fly them as it was much less trying to navigate with precision!!!!!!!!!!! :) Scott Team Ropingthewind _________________________________________________________________ Find high-speed ‘net deals — comparison-shop your local providers here. https://broadband.msn.com