BournevilleBazza
Member Since: 17 Jun 2008
Location: Croston, Lancashire
Posts: 556
  
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We are taking part in the Mac 4x4 this year, sponsorship, stickers etc all sorted, sleeping in the back of the car etc.
Just need a bit of advice on the navigation side of things.
Anyone done it and do I need to know my way round memory map or GPS or anything?
Bit worried coz i'm a decent navigator by map but never really got into the technology side of it!
Oh and i've bought a little plastic compass in case the built in one has a fit!
Cheers If you aren't living life on the edge, you're taking up too much space!!
2010 Discovery TDV6 HSE with a few bits and bobs on.
1986 V8 90 County
2012 Evoque TD4 (for the Mrs) and really VERY pleased!
Formerly BuckinghamBazza
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 2nd Feb 2012 3:54 pm |
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Gareth
Site Moderator
Member Since: 07 Dec 2004
Location: Bramhall
Posts: 26779
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I've done it twice Bazza! Its great fun.
Don't be expecting it to be a mud sweat and tears off-road expedition, to test men and machine to their limits. It will be pretty tame in the off road stakes, but if previous trips are anything to go by, you will have access to some private tracks that nobody else can drive on.
Nav wise, there is a LOT of observation tests, my advice is to not rush it, dont be fooled into thinking your holding everyone up, go at your own pace and try to get all the clues. They can be pretty obtuse. You will spend most of your time off road looking out for bits of number plate, and writing down the numbers. On the road, you will also have observation tests based on clues along the route. You need to take your time with these.
You will not need memory map, its easier to use paper maps in my opinion. Although some teams will use computers, I don't see the advantage. I used a hand held GPS to get coordinates to pinpoint positions on a paper map.
Some of the exercises will involve you plotting a list of grid references onto a map they give you, and you working out a route to them all. They will throw you some curve balls so watch out, it might not be logical !
I wish I was doing it again, but I've done my bit. I hope you have raised ££££'s and you should put your donation page up here so we can add our bit.
I did it both times in my old 2a, she was the oldest vehicle on the event by a long way. Give my regards to Peter Rowland, and Selwyn, they are great guys. If you meet a chap driving a soft top Suzuki, called Simon Gillet, give him my regards too, we had a good few beers last year in Ireland.
Have fun, take pictures 
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| 2nd Feb 2012 4:36 pm |
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BournevilleBazza
Member Since: 17 Jun 2008
Location: Croston, Lancashire
Posts: 556
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Thanks Gareth, really looking forward to it!
Raised £2500 from corporates, didn't really want to ask friends and family as I'm forever asking for sponsorship for one thing or another!
Ok so you lost me at hand held GPS. What do I need one of those for and how do I use it? Is there a good website that will help me with learning navigation?
If you aren't living life on the edge, you're taking up too much space!!
2010 Discovery TDV6 HSE with a few bits and bobs on.
1986 V8 90 County
2012 Evoque TD4 (for the Mrs) and really VERY pleased!
Formerly BuckinghamBazza
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| 2nd Feb 2012 6:34 pm |
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Gareth
Site Moderator
Member Since: 07 Dec 2004
Location: Bramhall
Posts: 26779
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In simple terms, a hand held gps will be able to give you the exact OS grid reference that you are at. You can use the grid lines on the OS map to pinpoint exactly where on the map you are.
You could pinpoint where you are by using land marks and other features shown on the map, but grid ref is far more accurate.
Read this website http://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/oswebsite/...help1.html
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| 2nd Feb 2012 11:36 pm |
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Smarticus
Member Since: 01 Jan 2005
Location: Northumberland
Posts: 655
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And if you have an Iphone you already have an excellent GPS. Just download the Ordanance Survey Maps needed from the App Store. Disco 4 TDV6HSE
Defender 200TDi CSW
RR Evoque
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| 4th Feb 2012 10:48 pm |
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Gareth
Site Moderator
Member Since: 07 Dec 2004
Location: Bramhall
Posts: 26779
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The organisers and marshalls were thinking right out of the box last year. On one special stage we halted at a marshalling point, and the marshall thrust a page from an OS map through the drivers window, and gave the DRIVER 10 seconds to point to where he thought he was on the map! An accurate answer was worth plenty of points!
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| 5th Feb 2012 7:52 am |
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DiscoStu
Member Since: 09 Apr 2006
Location: London
Posts: 11412
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Gareth, that's not nice! How many checkpoints over how many days? And Bazza's going to be check his location as he drives up to every one now....  Disco 5 HSE Lux
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=peyiqaJrmMU
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| 5th Feb 2012 9:00 am |
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BournevilleBazza
Member Since: 17 Jun 2008
Location: Croston, Lancashire
Posts: 556
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Ok I know i'm thick but how do we know which OS maps i'm going to need?
Also what app do you use that shows you which OS grid ref you are at?
Cheers If you aren't living life on the edge, you're taking up too much space!!
2010 Discovery TDV6 HSE with a few bits and bobs on.
1986 V8 90 County
2012 Evoque TD4 (for the Mrs) and really VERY pleased!
Formerly BuckinghamBazza
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| 6th Feb 2012 11:49 am |
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