maps vs technology

[driftwood]

ok im confused :shock:

new to laning etc i brought a map for a quid from halfords, os explorer 222 rugby & daventry. ttrying to make heads and tales of it how do i know the lanes for driving, can i drive on them, and if the map is correct and up to date, is there a web site to assist?

then i searched the forums, and wayfinder seems to crop up and then people are on about joining glass to access it. :shock: i dont want to run before i can walk so to say.

oh and not to mention the gps..blabla sat nav...blabla warp core...in jefferys tube 5!!! :shock:  :shock: i can only just understand this computer let alone them things!

what is the best option from peoples view

and what did you all do when you first started off including getting lost?  

regards

[Topple]

start off with the os maps 1:50,000 or 1:25,000 scale. these will give enough detail of what are rights of way etc.

join glass, talk to people and find out which lanes others use

DONT go alone !

It may be worth tagging onto some other groups first to get the hang of it.

A GPS is good when you know where you want to go so you can plot and record your route.

I use both paper maps and GPS, sometimes the small screen on a PDA just isn't big enough to plan a route diversion etc so out comes the paper.

come and join me on the runs out of bala at the end of the month for a taster - plot the routes we use then you've got a record for your own use.

Paul

[Flowerman]

Same situation myself. Looking to join my local land rover club as they have off-roading and greenlaning days and also GLASS and see how it goes.

[driftwood]

i've got in contact with some local people who go out laning, just wondered on other peoples views and storys

you'll have to keep the invite open for another time paul and ill take you up on it, bit tied up with work lately

[strapping young lad]

here is a list of local meetings that glass have..

http://www.glass-uk.org/pages/contacts/glass/Local_Meetings.htm

joining glass has many advantages other than finding like minded people to go laning!

[gords]

You do need to be aware, however, that an entry on WayFinder does not necessarily mean that it's a valid/current/etc right of way. It's a good place to start though :)

[Paul]

I plan all my routes on Landranger 1:50,000 os maps,
Then do it on Memory Map this is the same as a paper map but on the computer.
I then upload the route to the PDA and then follow it.
I also carry the paper map just incase.

Your best bet would be to follow someone who know's the lanes
and to have someone with you taking notes and then on return
transfering it to your map, Highlighting pens are very good for
this.

GLASS (Green Lane Association) is well worth joining, http://www.glass-uk.org

[Wanderer]

You've also got to realise that just because it's on the OS map doesn't mean it has vehicular rights of way, just as the fact a lane isn't on the OS doesn't mean it hasn't got vehicular access. The definitive map held at the local ROW office "should" be correct.
Listen out on here for laning trips and come and join in. Make sure the people running thm know you are coming and can/will cater for you.


Joining GLASS and going along to their meets is as good a start as any. It also allows you access to Wayfinder.

Ed

[pritch]

My view on this is that technology is all very nice, but I've never had a map suddenly stop working for no apparent reason.  No matter what doo-dads and gizmos you've got, a properly marked up OS map (you can see a definitive list of vehicular rights of way at your local council's rights of way office) is the most reliable way of making sure you know what's going on.

[V8MoneyPit]

Tend to agree with Huw. Can't beat a good old fashioned map. I had been pondering a PDA based sat nav, but really for long distance road trips rather than local laning. House move and humungous mortgage will now slow down the purchase of that though!

[hobbit]

Tend to agree with Huw. Can't beat a good old fashioned map. I had been pondering a PDA based sat nav, but really for long distance road trips rather than local laning. House move and humungous mortgage will now slow down the purchase of that though!

The longer you wait the cheaper they get, prices are still dropping

[Wanderer]

You can get a laptop, GPS and Memory map for under £150. Or just a small handheld extrex for £50ish and use it to plot your position on a OS map.

I've got to agree, I'll not be caught out again without paper maps. I took a group out and I was using two seperate GPS systems (trying one out for the first time) and they both decided to lose the GPS side of things. I had to revert to paper maps. Actually an A4 photocopied (naughty naughty) sheet until I had time at the first break to get the PDAs up and running again.

I reckon, as I had some problems getting started, that the PDAs chucked a wobbly due to a surge as they were still switched on when I was having starting problems.

Ed

[V8MoneyPit]

Already got a laptop, but thought a PDA would be more convenient. I guess I could build a small frame on top of the cubby box to stop the laptop sliding around. Can the laptop be powered off the car battery?

Hang on.... what are you doing to me?? Now you've got me thinking about spending money again   :roll:

[hobbit]

You can run a laptop within a vehicle no probs, gps to plug straight in too. But, the hard drive tends to disagree with bouncing around, unless you have something like Ed and a few others have which is one called the toughbook, with a specially protected hard disk