Compass vs GPS -- the Pros and the Cons

High-tech Treasure Hunting
What kid hasn't drawn up a rudimentary pirate map leading to buried treasure? Well, get ready to relive your childhood. Treasure hunting is now high-tech with geocaching. Geocaching is a worldwide treasure hunt. But instead of maps, you use a GPS device. Geocachers hide a treasure (or cache) in a secret location, usually a local outdoor spot. Then they enter the GPS coordinates of the cache's location onto a Web site. Other geocachers will download those coordinates into their GPS units, and set off in search of the treasure using only their GPS devices as guides. Once a geocacher finds a cache, he or she must leave a treasure for the next person to discover. You can find geocaches all over the world -- try the official Geocaching.com Web site to find one in your area.

In order to determine which is better -- compass or GPS -- we need to t­ake a good look ­at the pros and cons of each. First, let's check out the pros and cons of the compass.

Pros:

  • It's a lightweight, pocket-sized device -- perfect for when you need to travel light.
  • It's inexpensive. You can buy a basic compass for around $10.
  • It needs no external power to operate. You take it out of the box, and it's good to go.
  • In fact, a compass is so simple, you can make one yourself with stuff you probably have in your own home.

Cons:

  • You need to learn a few skills in order to read a compass properly. Most people know they should always carry a compass, but do they all know how to actually use it?
  • Without a map, a compass really only shows you north, and that's it.
  • If you're completely lost and don't know where anything is, your compass may not be useful all.

Now, let's check out the pros and cons of GPS:

Pros:

  • You can carry a huge variety of maps in the palm of your hand.
    The unit will pinpoint exactly where you are on the map.
  • The electronic compass is easier to use than a traditional compass when you're on the move. The GPS unit will let you know how much distance you've covered and how much further you have to go.
  • It will even tell you your altitude.

Cons:

  • A GPS unit runs on batteries. What if they run out? You can always carry extras, but that's adding extra weight to your pack.
  • A GPS unit is an electronic device -- it can break or stop working if you drop it or if it gets wet.
  • GPS units are expensive. A basic unit will cost around $100, and the more advanced ones can run upward of $350.
  • It requires a strong signal to work accurately. It won't receive a signal inside most buildings or in caves and sometimes under heavy forest canopy or even just a cloudy day.

Final conclusion: A GPS unit may provide you with much more detailed navigational information than you could ever get with a compass. But because it relies on battery power and a clear signal, any trekker should always hike with a good old-fashioned compass and a map, as well.