Paper Maps vs GPS

[slarge]

Having just done the El'n Back and quite a few other rides using just a GPS (Garmin 800) with a preloaded route, I m tempted to go back to using paper maps (maybe this is just my trailquest roots coming through). Whilst a GPS makes exact positioning relative to the route much easier, I am struggling to see where I actually am. Having a paper map gives much more perspective and makes alternative routes much easier to figure out whilst riding.

Does anyone else have this problem? Which do you prefer - paper maps or GPS?

Next event will be done with a map board and GPS as a backup/logger!

[Bearbonesnorm]

I'm a paper map man. When/if I carry a gps it's really as a GR checker ... I don't think I've ever used one to navigate with. I have the same problem in that I find the screen on a gps doesn't allow me to get a full picture of where I actually am.

[johnnystorm]

I draw the route on OS Getamap, convert to GPX and read from my Edge 200. I then print off the maps from getamap with the route drawn on onto A4 and laminate them/pop in plastic sleeve. GPS works most of the time but I like to have the "bigger picture" so to speak. UK Map on my iPhone is handy. All OS maps for £7.99. You can't do routes or nav but its handy for a quick "where are we?"

[Blackhound]

I prefer maps but know gps is way forward. Back in 1977 (before most of you were born I won my class at the Irish orienteering championships and competed in O events for almost 20 years.

I also like to see the big picture but for moving quick on the fly then gps is best. I always take a map with me just in case and to look for alternative options.

[Zippy]

this is exactly the reason why I stopped using a tom tom in the car and use a paper map.

I like paper maps

I also find it quicker/easier to grab a map than plot a route on a computer and then load it on computer, although I have to say I do this sometimes !

[Ray Young]

Maps all the way for me too. I plot off road rights of way from OS 1:50,000 onto OS 1:250,000 so I can get a really big picture and plan multi day routes, really doesn't take that long either.

[FLV]

I like paper best for sure, I do however use GPS quite often when I want to move quickly.

GPS only can sometimes leave you a bit reluctant to change and adapt your route based on what you find.

I generally like to plot a route onto the gps which makes life easy but then if in no rush, I use the paper map to accomany it to adapt. For the El an Back I had a route in the GPS but didnt follow it all the time.

[gairym]

I'm with Kevin on this one.

I like map reading, I'm good at map reading and I enjoy map reading.

But.....when I'm out on my bike I really enjoy not having to stop all the time and just being able to follow a little arrow and a line whilst riding.

It's a different activity for me - I don't necessarily need orienteering and mountain biking to be linked - I prefer my riding to be about riding and to save the navigation fun for when I'm walking.

Like FLV I plan a route for the GPS and then bastardise it part way through if I see something I like the look of or if there's an obstacle - it's easy enough to do (especially with paper maps as a back-up).

[Dan_K]

I love looking at maps and planning routes but for navigation, always use a GPS. Can't see the point wasting time navigating if i've plotted a route beforehand.
Always carry a map as back up though for emergencies and referring to if I decide to change plans. I do understand that whole thing about GPS limiting how much of your surroundings you take in.
I used to ride a motorbike around London without GPS and developed a really good road knowledge by always using an AtoZ. GPS makes it too easy to "switch off".

[Bearbonesnorm]

I think one of the 'dangers' with gps (and certainly satnav as Dan says ^) is, if it packs in for whatever reason some people might not actually know where they are

Obviously if you've got a back up map then you're okay.

[paul78]

I can see the benefits in using both .. and I think I would look to carry both.

Maps allow much easier on the fly route adjustment and a better overview of where you are and nearest towns etc but alot of what is shown on the map does not translate to being easily visible on the ground.

Alot of last weekend we were simply following a line on the gps as there was no real discernable track on the ground .. If we were simply just using a map there would of been alot of second guessing the route as it just wouldn't of looked right to haul a few km of tussocky open ground :)

[nobby]

It's all about what you want from your riding, isn't it?
I ride because it puts me into the environment at a pace that I can still interact with it, but also get a change of scenery in a day. For interacting I like maps. I can read a map and I need the historical and geographical information that they carry. I don't mind all the stops and starts to turn the map in its case or peruse an unexpected white road. I have, however, taken to having Memory Map on my iPhone to log my ride and tell me where I am when it is obvious that the map has become confused That's subject to there being a signal, of course.

I do miss the 1:100,000 maps of years gone by; they were a good size for a cyclist. I use 1:50,000 and have never come up with a perfect way of carrying them. I'm experimenting with 1:150,000 road atlas pages marked up with what I want and A4 photocopies of the relevant bits of Landrangers. Seems to result in a lot of paper though.

[slarge]

I have a Miry map board that makes studying the map on the move and rotating it much easier - it just doesn't fit my oversize bars (yet - small modifications required). 1:50k maps for off road and 1:250k for road offer a good compromise - if I am off on a long road ride I will normally carry a road atlas (at least the relevant pages) as at £2.99 from garages they are pretty cheap. If on an exploring ride I'll take a OS 1:50k map, although more recently I have been just using the GPS. I'm glad I am not the only one though that loves studying maps - I get so much jip at home for "staring at maps again", so I am not going to feel guilty using paper maps for rides like El'n Back, where figuring out an alternative route when the bridleway turns into a marshy bog is almost a certainty.

[Ray Young]

"staring at maps again",

No such thing, you are assimilating information and it is equally as good as reading a book .