Wednesday, May 16, 2012

GPS: Using a Track vs Route


I've been wondering what the difference between a track and route?   So I did a little research and as it turns out, there is an easy way to explain the difference.
Track or Route, What is the difference? 
Route(s) characteristics:
  • Route is about where you are heading/going ( more of a straight-line representation)
  • It is used in the field to guide you from waypoint to waypoint.
  • It uses straight-line, as the crow flies, navigation. 
Track(s) characteristics:
  • Tracks are about where you have been. (more definitive representation of where you have been)
  • GPS devices record your location based on your settings, usually a value defined by Time or Distance. Electronic "bread crumb trail" if you will.
  • Tracks more accurately reflect the shape of the trail or road you have taken than the straight-line segments representing a route.
Both can be downloaded onto you computer or uploaded to online sites that overlay the information over a map so you can see exactly where you've been on your adventures! 

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