crazymonkey said:
Hi guys, i am looking at purchasing a GPS reciever, however i am not interested in all the extra functability that is being built into them. I was just wondering if someone knew how to build a GPS reciever that only gives you coordinates of where you are. Thanks.
There is a bit more to GPS navigation than just showing the Lat/ Longitude of the present location. If you were lost somewhere, that info alone does not get you out unless your brain has a calibrated map stored inside somewhere.
So, you also need a map of the area, with the lat/long grid lines shown on it (a simple road map will not do). You need a ruler or a set of dividers to measure distances of the map. You need a compass to get a direction to follow (unless you want to keep checking your simple GPS how neatly you can walk in a circle :wink: )
A simple GPS module probably has no correction for the various datums that maps come in, giving you a position error.
On the other hand, even a cheap hand held commercial GPS unit has features to store waypoints. So, if you program your entry point into the 'bush', the GPS will at any time show you the shortest route to get back to there. It will also tell you how far it is and how long it takes to get there at your present speed. If you use the trackback function you can follow the exact track you came in back out.
Frankly, I would not bother with a GPS module, the full unit is really much more practical. And, if it has too many functions, there's no compulsion that you have to use them all :wink: . Is a bit like those remote controls with a zillion buttons, one just learns to use the appropriate ones and ignores the rest