Navigation Method

[CalabashFishman]

Hey guys. I just wanted to do a little Poll to see what method of navigation everyone uses. Im wondering if Loran-C is still around much anymore. Or if everyone uses GPS. If you use other, list please

[ElMar2530]

My Dad still used his Raytheon 575 on his 1979 Ocean mainly for reef spots. He does have both though.

[Banshee]

if you can find them the old northstar 800x was an awesome machine, just no one fixs them any more. The hot new lick e loran not much being done their either. Just straight gps or dgps for the time being.
JW

[captjohn22]

if you can find them the old northstar 800x was an awesome machine, just no one fixs them any more. The hot new lick e loran not much being done their either. Just straight gps or dgps for the time being.
JW

I have a Northstar 800 that was original on my 84 Ocean. I turn it on whenever I go out but I always use my Garmen 3210. The Northstar broke a few years ago and John Puskis in Barnegat Light fixed it . Check around the commercial docks near you to find someone to work on LORAN units.
I wish the government had given more thought to the LORAN vs GPS thing back in the 80's and 90's. By combining the two systems there would have been no need for the DGPS when they were scrambling the signal and we would have a proven and widely used backup in the event of a failure of either system.

[Avenger]

I still have, and intend to keep a Loran-C on my boat. It's still good for finding wrecks (most of my "spots" are handed down from my dad (before GPS) and it's not easy to convert them. Also, my autopilot is tied to it. Yes, I could connect it to a GPS, but this ain't broke.

I also really like the idea of a 2nd source of navigation data. Especially since GPS has been known to go a little "funny" from time to time. I still keep paper charts and regularly record my position too. If we get hit by lightning, position data and my compass will always get me home

The avaition community still has a significant interest in Loran so it's not likely to disappear anytime soon. It's just a subject of debate about out of who's budget the upkeep is going to come.

I use a GPS too, but I'm not giving up on the old technology yet.

Article on updated Loran system:

http://www.boatus.com/husick/techno07_05.asp

[RiffRaff]

I use GPS for navigation but still have a loran to keep up with the chatter on the radio, most folks still talk in TDs, such as "fishing the 600 line in 350 ft"...nice to have.