I was lost as to the UTM system until I found your video. Very helpful. UTM seems to be easier to use since it uses the metric system. You broke down the information into a very understandable format. Many thanks.
Absolutely the best UTM beginner video I've found. Makes learning UTM's very easy. Thank you for this wonderful video. Will be recommending to friends!
Really cool demonstration to familiarize people with this system! When i got a copy of Map Reading and Land Navigation, i thought my brain was gonna lock up from all that stuff. i think it's the way they word things so pedantically. But your tutorial is very straightforward and no bullshit - so thumbs up!! Hey know any sources to get free downloadable gps maps? Like the utm, or topographical? KEEP EDUCATING THE FREE REPUBLIC!
@MrRocque, thank you for your clarification. Understanding the UTM is rather difficult (as opposes to commonly use in GPS coordinate system) if one is not using it in a daily situation. Always find education is enriching.
actually, the UTM system is EASIER then LAT/LONG because its in distance (meters) not angles (which is exactly what the LAT/LONG system uses, thereby distances vary depending on your latitude). The UTM system uses a 'base 10' graduation...(metric, basically); LAT/LONG uses angular degrees (degree, minutes, second) with each 'unit' of graduation being a more difficult conversion to the next. IE. 1 degree = 60 minutes = 3600 seconds, so when adding or substracting LAT/LONG coordinates...there's MORE chance of caculation errors. So...UTM uses ONE unit of measure...Meters...no converting, easier math...once you're used to HOW the system works a coordinate (within the same UTM zone) can give you location on a map AND distance (on the horz. and vert.) without converting, you just subtract the eastings and the northings...and that's the distance (in LAT/LONG there's conversions and way MORE math involved)
Well, the best and easiest way to convert any coordinate format is to let your GPS do it. If you enter all coordinates in Lat/Long or deciamal degrees or whatever then change the formet on your GPS to UTM, it will convert all waypoints automatically.
UTM/UPS and MGRS are pretty much the same thing. The only diffrence is that MGRS is modified from UTM to use with military map sheets. the UTM grid coordinates will be exactly the same as the MGRS. So the acuracty is exactly the same both are acurate to 1 meter.
Thanks. I would have been entirely confused. There's so much that's not exactly explained anywhere such as NAD27 in the GPS is the same as NAD1927 on the map and so on.
Great explanation! Do you happen to have the coordinates for the 190+ mule deer I’ve been hunting? My gear is ready to go, my 7 Mag is sighted in and I’m in good shape, but I just need the coordinates...
I've set up my GPS to: Utm/ups Nad 27 cons distance /speed (statute ) elevation / vertical speed (feet) I'm having problems with giving me proper feet elevations correctly. can someone help me figure this out?? thanks, Kevin
Newer maps use WGS. Don't rely on NAD27 unless your specific map uses it. NAD27 is used with vintage maps (like historic maps, and treasure maps). In any case, always check your physical map's notes for which datum they used and then adjust your GPS to use that datum.
Nice trick starting at 11:30 with the folded paper. However, unless you're calling in an artillery strike, most civilian users will very rarely have any need to plot the location to a greater precision than +/- 100 meters. The "eyeball" method that he goes over in this video is fine for that and you really don't need to use the folded paper trick.
Hi don't know if you can help, i'll try to explain, coordinates A = ( -31.375119, 121.058803 ) and coordinates B = ( 31°22'30.4"S 121°03'31.7"E ) they are the same place in Australia, but what is the format of A & B, and how do you convert from one to the other as different gps may only use one or the other I like to use (A) coordinates, but some maps only give (B) coordinates hope explained my problem
(A) is displaying what is called "Decimal Degrees" this is a common format for Aviation use, this is an easy format for search pilots to use, however. It is much harder to read a map in decimal degrees, it is also far less accurate when reading it off a map. (B) is what is known as "Degrees, Minutes, and Seconds" this is a much more common format, as it is easier to read from a map. This is much more accurate to read from and a map and will be far more efficient than (A) format. There are plenty of Apps and websites with converters on them, you can also look up a formula to convert them. From a Search and Rescue standpoint. UTM is a far more efficient way of navigating, as it is faster to read, and much more accurate. However, it has it's pitfalls, when working with a Search Aircraft, they will most likely be using a Lat and Long GPS (no it is not possible to change them to UTM without buying a new GPS). On many occasions, I have called I the aircraft giving them UTM coordinates and basically been laughed at. Moral of the story, It is very handy to know how to plot and read all different coordinates, however most experienced outdoorsman will prefer UTM for it's simplicity.
you said it has to have 7 digits..well my easting only has 6 looks like this..605320mE northing.. 4406431mN...so now what.. and yes it brings it right up on my place..
The explanation of 'eastings' is incorrect. 0310000E is NOT 310,000 meters east of the zone western limit...but rather 500,000-310,000=190,000 WEST of the zone meridian. (below is a detailed explanation of WHY. To readers...don't bother reading it and complaining if you chose to do so) Every UTM zone is bisected vertically by a merdian designated with a falsing called 500,000E. All eastings in the same zone are designated either lower or higher (depends on if its west or east of this meridian). Hence 0578243E IS 78,243 meters EAST of the meridian (but NOT 578,243 meters east of the zone western limit), but 0436557E is 63443 meters WEST of the zone meridian, NOT 436,557 meters east of the zones western limit. UTM zones are 6° wide (longtitude) and bisected by the equator; numbered 1-60. Then divided into UTM quadrants (20 in total) of 8° of latitude (there are exceptions) lettered C-X (excluding I and O) Thusly, each UTM zone quadrant (12T as an example) is 600,000 meters wide by 1,000,000 meters high. Thereby making the quadrant limits in UTM coordinates from 0166640E (western edge) to 0833360E (eastern edge). So 0310000E can't be 310,000E of the western limit, if the western limit didn't start at ZERO (0), but that it is 143,360 meters east of the western limit of the zone (and with the merdian of 0500000E being 333360 meters east of the western limit) and 333,360-143,390=190,000. Northings, on the other hand ARE meters north of the equator starting at 0000000N at the equator and increasing north. HOWEVER...south of the equator it doesn't decrease into negative numbers, but rather decreases from 10,000,000 meters (call the equator (1)0000000N), so one meter south of the equator is 9999999N, 2 meters south is 9999998N and so on. As such, a UTM zone (using UTM coorinates) has a lower limit of 166640E1110400N (bottom left corner) to 0833360E9334080N (top right corner). That is, the bottom of the zone is 1110400N and the top is 9334080N (the whole zone, not just one of the quadrants) and the western limit is 166640E while the eastern limit is 833360E. EVERY zone repeats these limts and coordinates, this is why the zone quadrant MUST BE communicated when speaking to those OUTSIDE your zone. Not doing so only says where you are in a zone...but not what zone, what part of the globe, you're actually in. The UTM coordinates 0500000E5000000N is in SIXTY different zones around the world...which ONE are YOU in? zone 3? zone 55? zone 26? they all have a location fitting that coordinate. This is exactly why its IMPORTANT to study, train and KNOW the system you're using. Its limitations, its 'quirks' and NOT TO PASS ON false information about that system (like...eastings are meters east of the western border)
***** UTM coordinate system is incredibly easy to use, once its learned (there's no converting anything, its all in meters, no degrees, minutes, seconds, miles, etc). The problem lies in WHICH datum a map is using, which projection...and this effects LAT/LONG as much as it does UTM. So, sadly...until all the sources (maps/gps) are on the SAME datum...it can all be very 'messy'. Now, WHICH coordinates did you try to enter? As for 'how to get LAT and LON'...I don't understand what you mean by 'how to get' (off a map? off your GPS rec'r? from Google?). You either HAVE coordinates (someone gave you a set) or you determined coordinates (found a location and worked the coordinates out). No idea what you mean by 'how to get'. I can't give you instructions on how to operate YOUR GPS reciever as there are far too many to know EVERY detail of them all...and YOU should have already read you manual. As for Google Maps, they only support Lat/Long searches. You have to convert a UTM set to Lat/Long to have Google Maps plot it for you. Google Maps only recognizes DD, DMM and DMS formats (decimal degrees, degrees decimal minutes or degrees minutes seconds). If you wish for Google Maps to GIVE you coordinates (from their map) you simply hold the cursor over a location, right click and choose 'what's here' and the coordinates will appear under the search space as DD coordinates. At which point you can use those or convert them to the format you wish to use (other lat/long or utm). With regard to learning Lat/Long, there are all kinds of CZcams videos on how to learn navigation skills. Much easier then me trying to explain a system that is unrelated to this video. Keep in mind that, what ever coordinates you have or are getting...Google Maps uses the WGS84 Datum...so if your coordinates or maps are NOT from this datum...Google Maps will be off a bit (like Google is ever accurate in the first place). This applies to either coordinate system, UTM or Lat/Long (datum effects BOTH systems). If you wish to learn UTM, there are some wonderful channels that explain it...you can find a number of links to videos, on my channel under the playlist 'Navigation'. But there are no Lat/Long links in my playlist. Should you require further answers or explanation, I would encourage you to send messages to me directly, through my channel.
***** , It is extremely helpful to be able to enter coordinates in a Google search and have a map of that exact location draw on your screen. Here's how to do it. Google wants to see latitude longitude coordinates in a format called decimal degrees. Google does not draw in a correct map if you type in UTM coordinates. For example, try pasting this into a Google search: 38.8963, -77.0366. It should draw a map of the white house. An easy way to determine the decimal degrees coordinates of any point on earth is to open Google maps, right-click, and choose "What's here?" A small pop-up box will appear with the decimal degree coordinates of that point.
+MrRocque While you are technically correct, it is perfectly fine to explain that in Easton value is in fact 310,000 m east of the left edge of the imaginary grid that overlays the zone.
+johngo6283 no, its actually NOT 'perfectly fine'. To say a coordinate is 310,000 m from a boundary is NOT the same as saying a coordinate of 310000E is 310,000 m east of a boundary, because ITS NOT. The easting of 310000E is in fact only 143,360 m east of the zone boundary. You would have people looking 150kms away, if using the reference of 'meters from'. Teaching people that an easting 'is the number of meters from the zone boundary' would be foolhardy. That would be the same as saying 'all compasses point the direction where it points' simply because a bearing compass does. You wouldn't tell someone it was 'perfectly fine' to pick ANY location on earth as the prime meridian, the corrdinates wouldn't translate. Just as, in your opinion, telling ppl that coordinates are XXXX meters from the edge of a boundry on a zone is ok. Coordinates, just like azimuths, are based on a common reference point. In azimuths in navigation its the North Pole (degrees clockwise). In Lat/Long coordinates its the prime meridian (degrees +/- or east/west) and in UTM its the merdian of the projection used for the map...the 500,000m meridian in a zone. IF everyone is on the same map, exactly the same map/scale/zone/quad/datum, where the boundary coordinates start or end is of little consequence. But not everyone deals in the same map at the same time, hence the reason for different scaled maps. And given the distrotion inherent with different projections and datums, where the boundary's coordinates actually ARE is VERY important...if someone is moving across more then one map. If one intends to TEACH, teach PROPERLY. Taking a short cut is not only irresponsible, its dangerous. "A little knowledge is a dangerous thing" and 'sending' people out with the idea they know what they're doing is as well. Never mind stating a complete falsehood as FACT. Its one thing to say 'for simplicity, we'll ignore where the boundary coordinates actually are' and its another to claim eastings are east of a 0,0 boundary. 2x2.4=4.8...one could round up to 5...but you don't TELL someone the answer IS 5 without qualifying it (rounding up) as if its FACT that it is 5, just because its 'easier'. A compass needle does not always point to the direction your facing (that depends on the compass you're using) and UTM's eastings are NOT meters east of 0,0. If people wish to learn, they have a desire to learn the RIGHT information. Let them choose what to ignore and absorb...but do NOT mislead them.
+MrRocque Wowzer, you certainly seem to have a lot of time on your hands to correct people. Perhaps you should get a map of a beautiful place that of course has the proper use him grid on it, and go for a nice relaxing hike. Or perhaps you should go and some Wikipedia articles or something, I bet you'd be really good at it. Or, if you have so much to slam on other peoples UTM videos, what do you make one of your own? Notice I said the "imaginary grid that overlays the zone" not the zone boundary. They are different things. UTM zones have what's called a false easting, which is 500,000 meters left (west) of the central Meridian. This "false easting" is the starting point for zero easting for that particular zone. While you explain the technical definition, it's probably more helpful to explain it in a way that makes it easier for beginners to get the basic idea. So, UTM coordinates can in fact be measured from a "zero, zero" starting point. 0 Easting is the false easting, and zero "northing is the equator. Have a good one.
I'm surprised they ask for seven digits. The standard convention is to only use even numbers of the primary digits and to drop the first digits that are written small.I guess the programmers had their reasons.
I was lost as to the UTM system until I found your video. Very helpful. UTM seems to be easier to use since it uses the metric system. You broke down the information into a very understandable format. Many thanks.
Thanks for this guide ,you did a great job explaining the details without a lot of fluff.
Very clear and concise understanding of UTM coordinates. Thank you for taking the time to present this video.
Absolutely the best UTM beginner video I've found. Makes learning UTM's very easy. Thank you for this wonderful video. Will be recommending to friends!
My friend this is well explained. I'm just getting into map reading/orienting. I'm trying to learn how navigate. Have a good one mate
Superb! Numerous great examples, explained step by step in layman's terms - I finally get it! Thank you!
Here you have it, another great feedback of your video. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge in such a great simple way. Love it.
Great video thank you for posting. you wouldn't belive how hard it is to find info on how to read a topographic
Outstanding! Well presented and very helpful to hunters, especially Elk in big country.
Thank you! I tried reading the garmin manual online but it confused the hell out of me. Your instructions were great.
Outstanding summary! Thank you for sharing your knowledge.
Very well presented. Thank you so much for giving such a well-planned summary.
Very good explanation, thank you!
Thanks for this clarification. I am trying to learn how to use my Garmin GPSMAP64st and this will help. Be well, Be safe.
Thanks so much for the tutorial. It was very helpful 😊👍
Excellent - clear and concise. Thanks very much
Thanks very much for the video explains it fully.
Thank you so much sir. Best teacher. You explained it so well.
Really cool demonstration to familiarize people with this system! When i got a copy of Map Reading and Land Navigation, i thought my brain was gonna lock up from all that stuff. i think it's the way they word things so pedantically. But your tutorial is very straightforward and no bullshit - so thumbs up!!
Hey know any sources to get free downloadable gps maps? Like the utm, or topographical?
KEEP EDUCATING THE FREE REPUBLIC!
Nice clear tutorial... thanks!
Great info!! Thanks!
Well done video for us UTM newbies. I think I can do this now. Plus, the military uses this system.
Thank you! Most helpful!
Thank you for sharing!
Thanks, very helpful
@MrRocque, thank you for your clarification. Understanding the UTM is rather difficult (as opposes to commonly use in GPS coordinate system) if one is not using it in a daily situation. Always find education is enriching.
actually, the UTM system is EASIER then LAT/LONG because its in distance (meters) not angles (which is exactly what the LAT/LONG system uses, thereby distances vary depending on your latitude).
The UTM system uses a 'base 10' graduation...(metric, basically); LAT/LONG uses angular degrees (degree, minutes, second) with each 'unit' of graduation being a more difficult conversion to the next. IE. 1 degree = 60 minutes = 3600 seconds, so when adding or substracting LAT/LONG coordinates...there's MORE chance of caculation errors.
So...UTM uses ONE unit of measure...Meters...no converting, easier math...once you're used to HOW the system works a coordinate (within the same UTM zone) can give you location on a map AND distance (on the horz. and vert.) without converting, you just subtract the eastings and the northings...and that's the distance (in LAT/LONG there's conversions and way MORE math involved)
Great informative video!
excellent tutorial. thanks for uploading this.
Well, the best and easiest way to convert any coordinate format is to let your GPS do it. If you enter all coordinates in Lat/Long or deciamal degrees or whatever then change the formet on your GPS to UTM, it will convert all waypoints automatically.
UTM/UPS and MGRS are pretty much the same thing. The only diffrence is that MGRS is modified from UTM to use with military map sheets. the UTM grid coordinates will be exactly the same as the MGRS. So the acuracty is exactly the same both are acurate to 1 meter.
Great Video
Thanks alot for this explanation
This video is amazin !! Thanks alot!! :(
Thanks. I would have been entirely confused. There's so much that's not exactly explained anywhere such as NAD27 in the GPS is the same as NAD1927 on the map and so on.
Great explanation! Do you happen to have the coordinates for the 190+ mule deer I’ve been hunting? My gear is ready to go, my 7 Mag is sighted in and I’m in good shape, but I just need the coordinates...
So to clarify for myself, is it better to learn and start using the UTM system over Latitude and Longitude for map reading?
Thanks I will give it a look
verygood presentation
thanks for sharing
Can I ask where you print your map from, I would love to be able to that with the utm coords and grid lines Thank you
awesome.
thanks heaps
helal olsun !!! Great !!!
ya i noticed that right off. Mr Rocque, it should be 190,000 mtrs west..!
I've set up my GPS to:
Utm/ups
Nad 27 cons
distance /speed (statute )
elevation / vertical speed (feet)
I'm having problems with giving me proper feet elevations correctly.
can someone help me figure this out??
thanks,
Kevin
Newer maps use WGS. Don't rely on NAD27 unless your specific map uses it. NAD27 is used with vintage maps (like historic maps, and treasure maps). In any case, always check your physical map's notes for which datum they used and then adjust your GPS to use that datum.
National Geographic USGS Topo maps on cd-rom. About 100 bucks per state.
Nice trick starting at 11:30 with the folded paper.
However, unless you're calling in an artillery strike, most civilian users will very rarely have any need to plot the location to a greater precision than +/- 100 meters. The "eyeball" method that he goes over in this video is fine for that and you really don't need to use the folded paper trick.
Hi don't know if you can help, i'll try to explain, coordinates A = ( -31.375119, 121.058803 ) and coordinates B = ( 31°22'30.4"S 121°03'31.7"E ) they are the same place in Australia, but what is the format of A & B, and how do you convert from one to the other as different gps may only use one or the other I like to use (A) coordinates, but some maps only give (B) coordinates hope explained my problem
(A) is displaying what is called "Decimal Degrees" this is a common format for Aviation use, this is an easy format for search pilots to use, however. It is much harder to read a map in decimal degrees, it is also far less accurate when reading it off a map.
(B) is what is known as "Degrees, Minutes, and Seconds" this is a much more common format, as it is easier to read from a map. This is much more accurate to read from and a map and will be far more efficient than (A) format.
There are plenty of Apps and websites with converters on them, you can also look up a formula to convert them.
From a Search and Rescue standpoint.
UTM is a far more efficient way of navigating, as it is faster to read, and much more accurate. However, it has it's pitfalls, when working with a Search Aircraft, they will most likely be using a Lat and Long GPS (no it is not possible to change them to UTM without buying a new GPS). On many occasions, I have called I the aircraft giving them UTM coordinates and basically been laughed at.
Moral of the story,
It is very handy to know how to plot and read all different coordinates, however most experienced outdoorsman will prefer UTM for it's simplicity.
you said it has to have 7 digits..well my easting only has 6 looks like this..605320mE northing.. 4406431mN...so now what.. and yes it brings it right up on my place..
You will have to add a zero in front of your easting when inputting into the GPS.
The explanation of 'eastings' is incorrect. 0310000E is NOT 310,000 meters east of the zone western limit...but rather 500,000-310,000=190,000 WEST of the zone meridian.
(below is a detailed explanation of WHY. To readers...don't bother reading it and complaining if you chose to do so)
Every UTM zone is bisected vertically by a merdian designated with a falsing called 500,000E. All eastings in the same zone are designated either lower or higher (depends on if its west or east of this meridian). Hence 0578243E IS 78,243 meters EAST of the meridian (but NOT 578,243 meters east of the zone western limit), but 0436557E is 63443 meters WEST of the zone meridian, NOT 436,557 meters east of the zones western limit.
UTM zones are 6° wide (longtitude) and bisected by the equator; numbered 1-60. Then divided into UTM quadrants (20 in total) of 8° of latitude (there are exceptions) lettered C-X (excluding I and O)
Thusly, each UTM zone quadrant (12T as an example) is 600,000 meters wide by 1,000,000 meters high. Thereby making the quadrant limits in UTM coordinates from 0166640E (western edge) to 0833360E (eastern edge). So 0310000E can't be 310,000E of the western limit, if the western limit didn't start at ZERO (0), but that it is 143,360 meters east of the western limit of the zone (and with the merdian of 0500000E being 333360 meters east of the western limit) and 333,360-143,390=190,000.
Northings, on the other hand ARE meters north of the equator starting at 0000000N at the equator and increasing north.
HOWEVER...south of the equator it doesn't decrease into negative numbers, but rather decreases from 10,000,000 meters (call the equator (1)0000000N), so one meter south of the equator is 9999999N, 2 meters south is 9999998N and so on.
As such, a UTM zone (using UTM coorinates) has a lower limit of 166640E1110400N (bottom left corner) to 0833360E9334080N (top right corner). That is, the bottom of the zone is 1110400N and the top is 9334080N (the whole zone, not just one of the quadrants) and the western limit is 166640E while the eastern limit is 833360E.
EVERY zone repeats these limts and coordinates, this is why the zone quadrant MUST BE communicated when speaking to those OUTSIDE your zone. Not doing so only says where you are in a zone...but not what zone, what part of the globe, you're actually in.
The UTM coordinates 0500000E5000000N is in SIXTY different zones around the world...which ONE are YOU in? zone 3? zone 55? zone 26? they all have a location fitting that coordinate.
This is exactly why its IMPORTANT to study, train and KNOW the system you're using. Its limitations, its 'quirks' and NOT TO PASS ON false information about that system (like...eastings are meters east of the western border)
***** UTM coordinate system is incredibly easy to use, once its learned (there's no converting anything, its all in meters, no degrees, minutes, seconds, miles, etc). The problem lies in WHICH datum a map is using, which projection...and this effects LAT/LONG as much as it does UTM. So, sadly...until all the sources (maps/gps) are on the SAME datum...it can all be very 'messy'.
Now, WHICH coordinates did you try to enter? As for 'how to get LAT and LON'...I don't understand what you mean by 'how to get' (off a map? off your GPS rec'r? from Google?). You either HAVE coordinates (someone gave you a set) or you determined coordinates (found a location and worked the coordinates out). No idea what you mean by 'how to get'.
I can't give you instructions on how to operate YOUR GPS reciever as there are far too many to know EVERY detail of them all...and YOU should have already read you manual.
As for Google Maps, they only support Lat/Long searches. You have to convert a UTM set to Lat/Long to have Google Maps plot it for you. Google Maps only recognizes DD, DMM and DMS formats (decimal degrees, degrees decimal minutes or degrees minutes seconds). If you wish for Google Maps to GIVE you coordinates (from their map) you simply hold the cursor over a location, right click and choose 'what's here' and the coordinates will appear under the search space as DD coordinates. At which point you can use those or convert them to the format you wish to use (other lat/long or utm).
With regard to learning Lat/Long, there are all kinds of CZcams videos on how to learn navigation skills. Much easier then me trying to explain a system that is unrelated to this video.
Keep in mind that, what ever coordinates you have or are getting...Google Maps uses the WGS84 Datum...so if your coordinates or maps are NOT from this datum...Google Maps will be off a bit (like Google is ever accurate in the first place). This applies to either coordinate system, UTM or Lat/Long (datum effects BOTH systems).
If you wish to learn UTM, there are some wonderful channels that explain it...you can find a number of links to videos, on my channel under the playlist 'Navigation'. But there are no Lat/Long links in my playlist.
Should you require further answers or explanation, I would encourage you to send messages to me directly, through my channel.
***** , It is extremely helpful to be able to enter coordinates in a Google search and have a map of that exact location draw on your screen. Here's how to do it.
Google wants to see latitude longitude coordinates in a format called decimal degrees. Google does not draw in a correct map if you type in UTM coordinates.
For example, try pasting this into a Google search: 38.8963, -77.0366. It should draw a map of the white house.
An easy way to determine the decimal degrees coordinates of any point on earth is to open Google maps, right-click, and choose "What's here?" A small pop-up box will appear with the decimal degree coordinates of that point.
+MrRocque While you are technically correct, it is perfectly fine to explain that in Easton value is in fact 310,000 m east of the left edge of the imaginary grid that overlays the zone.
+johngo6283 no, its actually NOT 'perfectly fine'. To say a coordinate is 310,000 m from a boundary is NOT the same as saying a coordinate of 310000E is 310,000 m east of a boundary, because
ITS NOT. The easting of 310000E is in fact only 143,360 m east of the
zone boundary. You would have people looking 150kms away, if using the reference of 'meters from'. Teaching people that an easting 'is the number of meters from the zone boundary' would be foolhardy. That would be the same as saying 'all compasses point the direction where it points' simply because a bearing compass does. You wouldn't tell someone it was 'perfectly fine' to pick ANY location on earth as the prime meridian, the corrdinates wouldn't translate. Just as, in your opinion, telling ppl that coordinates are XXXX meters from the edge of a boundry on a zone is ok.
Coordinates, just like azimuths, are based on a common reference point. In azimuths in navigation its the North Pole (degrees clockwise). In Lat/Long coordinates its the prime meridian (degrees +/- or east/west) and in UTM its the merdian of the projection used for the map...the 500,000m meridian in a zone.
IF everyone is on the same map, exactly the same map/scale/zone/quad/datum, where the boundary coordinates start or end is of little consequence. But not everyone deals in the same map at the same time, hence the reason for different scaled maps. And given the distrotion inherent with different projections and datums, where the boundary's coordinates actually ARE is VERY important...if someone is moving across more then one map.
If one intends to TEACH, teach PROPERLY. Taking a short cut is not only irresponsible, its dangerous. "A little knowledge is a dangerous thing" and 'sending' people out with the idea they know what they're doing is as well. Never mind stating a complete falsehood as FACT.
Its one thing to say 'for simplicity, we'll ignore where the boundary coordinates actually are' and its another to claim eastings are east of a 0,0 boundary.
2x2.4=4.8...one could round up to 5...but you don't TELL someone the answer IS 5 without qualifying it (rounding up) as if its FACT that it is 5, just because its 'easier'. A compass needle does not always point to the direction your facing (that depends on the compass you're using) and UTM's eastings are NOT meters east of 0,0.
If people wish to learn, they have a desire to learn the RIGHT information. Let them choose what to ignore and absorb...but do NOT mislead them.
+MrRocque Wowzer, you certainly seem to have a lot of time on your hands to correct people. Perhaps you should get a map of a beautiful place that of course has the proper use him grid on it, and go for a nice relaxing hike. Or perhaps you should go and some Wikipedia articles or something, I bet you'd be really good at it. Or, if you have so much to slam on other peoples UTM videos, what do you make one of your own?
Notice I said the "imaginary grid that overlays the zone" not the zone boundary. They are different things. UTM zones have what's called a false easting, which is 500,000 meters left (west) of the central Meridian. This "false easting" is the starting point for zero easting for that particular zone. While you explain the technical definition, it's probably more helpful to explain it in a way that makes it easier for beginners to get the basic idea. So, UTM coordinates can in fact be measured from a "zero, zero" starting point. 0 Easting is the false easting, and zero "northing is the equator.
Have a good one.
Arvid? Is that you?
I'm surprised they ask for seven digits. The standard convention is to only use even numbers of the primary digits and to drop the first digits that are written small.I guess the programmers had their reasons.
You have to enter 7 digits just to get your easting and northing? Hmm, I don't know, I think mgrs is less complicated and more accurate.
No free maps? $100 bucks is a lot for a poor shmoe like me. That's why hiking is the only entertainment I can afford.
I want to know if you can do a video like this but upgrade to Garmin GPS 650. To show how to do the same thing as you are doing whit this one.
Thanks, really helpful!
Good video, very informative.