Loran C

[windrose]

My old boat has a Loran C unit on it.... do they even use Loran anymore or should I just chuck it. I have a good handheld GPS. Thoughts/comments.

[Tim]

There are a few dinosaurs who insist on continuing to use a Loran-C. They still work, and actually, the accuracy for returning to a previously-plotted position (that is, a position that was formerly physically visited by the boat) is higher than GPS.

Not that GPS isn't accurate enough for the job--it is. If you want to play Chicken Little and worry about selective availability and government intervention in the quality and accuracy of GPS signals, be my guest, but the chance of this ever actually affecting you are nil or less. The more use of GPS there is--and it's growing every day in all sorts of industries and uses)--the less of a chance. Some people like to worry about this...to each their own.

Part of any sound navigation practice involves using more than one method (plain old observation and loose piloting/dead reckoning is just fine in most cases) to confirm your position at any given time, so if by some odd chance something is truly wrong with the GPS signal, you'll know.

For now, Loran coverage still exists. I don't know what the plans are for finally phasing it out once and for all, but it will happen. It's already been postponed once, I think. Personally, I'd chuck the old unit: keeping it seems like a good idea as a backup, but frankly, you'll never use it. If you have space to spare and want to keep it around, that's perfectly fine too.

[JonnyBoats]

The last word I heard is that the Coast Guard has committed to keeping Loran going for at least 12 more years. Professional mariners on large ships consider it an essential system.

Personally I like the idea of not having a single point of failure on critical systems. Loran makes an excellent backup to your GPS (and vice-versa), especially since you already own it. It?s not so much that the GPS system itself may go down, but rather that your particular unit might have a problem.

[Tim]

It?s not so much that the GPS system itself may go down, but rather that your particular unit might have a problem.

Agreed. That's why I carry 2 (or more) separate GPS units.

If the whole system goes down, I guess I'm back to basics, but that's a risk I'll take.

[dasein668]

If the whole system goes down, I guess I'm back to basics, but that's a risk I'll take.

There's always the ol' standby: compass, watch, chart, and eyeballs. DR anyone?

[Tim]

There's always the ol' standby: compass, watch, chart, and eyeballs. DR anyone?

Which is why I wrote that in my original post.

Part of any sound navigation practice involves using more than one method (plain old observation and loose piloting/dead reckoning is just fine in most cases) to confirm your position at any given time, so if by some odd chance something is truly wrong with the GPS signal, you'll know.

[dasein668]

Which is why I wrote that in my original post.

Ummm, you expect me to actually read your posts? I thought we already determined that I am unable to do that re: Figment's post Sheesh.

[Tim]

Ummm, you expect me to actually read your posts?

Well, I was sort of hoping someone did! hehe