buylotrogold

Hi All, I am writing a short piece on basic GPS use and posted this to the Mynd forum, but have not had many responses, so was wondering if you guys could help? I have a Garmin 76 and am not sure about other makes of GPS, but I have mine set to moving map and have overlaid the display to show 4 data fields (six takes up too much of the display and I can't see the map!). Initially, about 5 years ago, I just used Elevation and Track, but as I have started flying XC and comps, I started thinking about what the 'best' setup is. So here's my current set up and why: - Elevation I also get this from my vario, but the two can show different readings. If I am near airspace then it's the GPS that counts, because that's what I am going to be using to submit my flight to the XC league. - Speed To check if I am flying down wind. So when I am on glide, the fastest speed I get is down wind. Since wind direction changes with altitude, 'down wind' is often different once over the back or it changes over the course of the day. - Track (i.e. compass direction) Which way am I going? Is this ridge going to be into wind? Once you are away from the hill you can't really do this by sight alone. Also, although I avoid cloud like the plague, if I do get into it, then you need a compass. On the ridge I use this to check if I am going forwards or backwards. - Distance to destination -  I set destination as the place I have launched from so I know how far I have come. It's also useful to check how far you are getting in km/h. I got this tip through the podcast I did with Richard Westgate. If I have come 25km in an hour, then I will need 4 hours to do 100km. Not that I have ever done that, but even on shorter distances you can work out how long you will have to stay in the air to do x km, and this helps me pace myself, and it helps me with motivation, knowing I have already done x km. Also, if you want to do an out and return, this is pretty useful. What do others use, and why? Thanks in advance! Judith