Before I go to a new place I look on a map to get the coordinates, then
enter them into the unit. It then shows me an arrow pointing to my
destination, plus the distance, and the estimated time to arrival, based
on my present speed. I usually ignore it, but if I think I might be off
course, just a glance will tell me.
When I get to a ridecamp I push the button to make the unit remember
where I am. If I have to make a food run, I don't have to worry about
getting lost on the way back to camp. Then on the ride, I have it in my
pack, and if I think I'm lost it will tell me how far from camp I am, and
in what direction. I'm expecting ride managers to start putting
coordinates on their ride maps soon. When they do, it will be easy to
find out exactly where you are on the trail.
A few weeks ago I was driving to my parents' house, and I had a stop to
make before I got there, so I came from a completely different direction.
I was about 5 miles from their place when I realized that I didn't know
how to get there from where I was. Instead of hauling out the map and
figuring it out, I just punched up their setting in my GPS unit, and it
pointed to their place. I drove right to it.
If you have a cellphone and a GPS unit, and you get into trouble you can
call for help and tell your rescuers exactly where you are. That's a lot
more useful than "help, I'm lost."
Donna