Got GPS? Paper maps are still solid

The #1 community for Gun Owners of the Northeast

Member Benefits:

  • No ad networks!
  • Discuss all aspects of firearm ownership
  • Discuss anti-gun legislation
  • Buy, sell, and trade in the classified section
  • Chat with Local gun shops, ranges, trainers & other businesses
  • Discover free outdoor shooting areas
  • View up to date on firearm-related events
  • Share photos & video with other members
  • ...and so much more!
  • Alea Jacta Est

    Extinguished member
    MDS Supporter
    Who has, values, wants, needs or uses paper maps?

    What scale?

    How many?

    Why?

    The age of the atlas is far from over.

    What about land nav or orienteering?

    How about celestial constellations? I’m a fan of Orion...right now in the Western morning sky. Maybe Big Dipper and the North Star?

    Anybody collecting hiking maps? Those trails just might save some steps or your life...

    Navigation is always an important skill. Your phone and or vehicle nav app might not always be there.

    Anybody subscribe to following railroads and or rivers? Why would you do that?

    Lots of folks couldn’t find their own arse with both hands and a trained team of sherpas. Some skills never lose their value.

    Besides, we need healthy and constructive distractions this year...
     

    willtill

    The Dude Abides
    MDS Supporter
    May 15, 2007
    24,337
    I still know how to land nav with map and a compass, find 8 digit grid coordinates, plot azimuths and reverse azimuths, and allow for magnetic deviation.

    Possibly a dying skill in the present day military? I dunno...
     

    Blaster229

    God loves you, I don't.
    MDS Supporter
    Sep 14, 2010
    46,410
    Glen Burnie
    I still know how to land nav with map and a compass, find 8 digit grid coordinates, plot azimuths and reverse azimuths, and allow for magnetic deviation.

    Possibly a dying skill in the present day military? I dunno...
    More than 180, subtract 180. Less than 180, add 180.
     

    Doctor_M

    Certified Mad Scientist
    MDS Supporter
    I've been training the last 2 years to be a certified member of the Natural Resource Police Reserve Officer's Search and Rescue Unit (I just recently got my operational credentials)... I'd say 60% of that training has focused on land navigation with map and compass. We use GPS in the field but always use map and compass backup... and there was no GPS allowed in the upfront training... you had to master map and compass before you moved on (just like you have to master your multiplication tables before you move on to a calculator).

    I keep stacks of hard copy maps as part of my preps. Even if they are old and obsolete, there can be a lot of relevant information that can be gleaned.
     

    Harrys

    Short Round
    Jul 12, 2014
    3,362
    SOMD
    We have paper maps of all the lower 48 states and Canada, when the big one hits or a solar flair takes out satellites we will be good to go. The Navy stopped teaching Celestial Navigation the Coast Guard still Teaches it. When at war and a ship get hit by by electronics. We rely too much on our electronic gismos, take for example when a computer go out in a Walmart or any business they shut down. They can't count money back, figure out % Tax or even add up prices.
     

    John from MD

    American Patriot
    MDS Supporter
    May 12, 2005
    22,734
    Socialist State of Maryland
    My maps are a few years out of date but I haven't been able to find new ones. I used to get them at Wally World but they don't carry them anymore. I looked briefly the other day in Barnes and Noble and didn't see any either. :shrug:
     

    Mark75H

    MD Wear&Carry Instructor
    Industry Partner
    MDS Supporter
    Sep 25, 2011
    17,174
    Outside the Gates
    We have paper maps of all the lower 48 states and Canada, when the big one hits or a solar flair takes out satellites we will be good to go. The Navy stopped teaching Celestial Navigation the Coast Guard still Teaches it. When at war and a ship get hit by by electronics. We rely too much on our electronic gismos, take for example when a computer go out in a Walmart or any business they shut down. They can't count money back, figure out % Tax or even add up prices.

    Navy brought back celstial nav to the academy last year or the year before
     

    Norton

    NRA Endowment Member, Rifleman
    Staff member
    Admin
    Moderator
    May 22, 2005
    122,856
    I have Gazeteers for PA, VA and WV in the truck because the GPS doesn't work in a lot of the places I end up.
     

    jollymon

    Active Member
    Dec 6, 2016
    852
    Now in Tennessee ,
    Love maps , GPS is ok but not totally trusted, I collect old Gas Station maps that I find , My favorite is a Pre- Interstate that I framed and hung in my home office
     

    ToolAA

    Ultimate Member
    MDS Supporter
    Jun 17, 2016
    10,500
    God's Country
    I keep MD, VA, PA and DE in my GHB. I got some waterproof ones online a few years ago. 99% of my regular travel is within 60mi if central MD. I also keep a set of regional topo
    Maps on my phone. I figure I may be in an area without cellphone or GPS but I could still utilize the more detailed map data if the need ever arose.

    09d9bcd1c0175e8f9b3d948aa3d1f8e8.jpg
     

    Users who are viewing this thread

    Latest posts

    Forum statistics

    Threads
    274,931
    Messages
    7,259,491
    Members
    33,350
    Latest member
    Rotorboater

    Latest threads

    Top Bottom