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Understanding
Electronic Navigation; script by Tim Bartlett;
Amberley Marine, 2003; £24.95; CAD16457
This
42 minute DVD Video covers the basic essentials of GPS navigation in a straightforward way
with beautifully clear animated diagrams. After a rather irritating musical
introduction, "chapters" (which can be individually selected, paused, rewound or
fast forwarded) cover how it works; switching on and basic displays; errors, accuracy and
datums; basic functions; waypoint navigation; planning a passage; use on passage; quick
plotting; and (especially good) sailing to windward.
Welcome emphasis is given to the need to maintain visual navigation, and to verify waypoints by checking distance and course between adjacent pairs of the waypoints on the chart. A concluding chapter touches on differential satellite systems (e.g. DGPS) and chart plotters.
Tim Bartlett is the author of "The RYA Book of Navigation". While the DVD provides a quick and painless means of learning the basics of GPS navigation, it lacks the depth of treatment possible in a book. The high price (which includes VAT) is likely to be a deterrent to purchase by individuals, but the DVD should be invaluable to navigation instructors and find a home in yacht club libraries. - RMG
Page created 11 Octobe 2004
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