Quote Originally Posted by LR77 View Post
How do most people set the GPS .Tks
1-North Up
2-Track Up
3- Course Up
I don't understand there be any difference in 'Track UP' and 'Course Up'. To my simple way of thinking they describe the very same thing.

I first started out with a handheld GPS and learned how to use it with 'North Up'. When I finally got a LMS-522c iGPS which I mounted beside the handheld I now use both units with 'North Up'. I keep the handheld zoomed in max and leave the Lowrance zoomed further out. I use the Lowrance to approach my waypoint and use the handheld to work the pile. By using both GPSs one quickly sees that there is a definite difference in refresh rates for each unit but that difference in refresh rates did help me to comprehend the fact that with boat movement and what the GPS is actually showing and where the pile is located takes a bit of sorting out as to what is really happening.

Where 'North Up' is problematic for me is when using it in during heavy fog where I can't determine north from south with my own senses then I can't tell whether to turn right or left to approach the way point. With a 'Course Up' setting you can tell from looking at your GPS screen if your way point is left or right and then actually turn your boat in that direction to approach it. In the same situation using a 'North Up' setting if your are actually heading north the GPS screen showing your way point towards the right you would turn towards the right but if you were actually heading south you would need to turn your boat towards the left to approach.

I think all the other fisher folks I know fish with with a 'Course Up' setting on their units. I guess the real reason I settled on using the 'North Up' was that when I first started out using a GPS and wasn't actually catching that many fish anyway I spent that time using my limited mental abilities thinking about how to approach the way point and where I needed to turn left or right and whether I was actually traveling north or south or whichever direction.

Anyhow good luck with whichever setting you use in learning to use your GPS.