Thanks John for your videos. I just received my Super GTA MapTools grid reader in the mail today. Very helpful information sent with the grid reader for new people learning to read Topo maps.
Very well explained! A little tip from using the UTM grid in the (German) military: in order not to confuse N/E (first go up/down or left/right on the grid?), imagine a cat: the cat runs first TO a tree (i.e. first group of coordinates is horizontal direction), then the cat climbs UP the tree (i.e. the second group of coordinates is vertical direction).
Thank you for a clear explanation of this system. I was wondering how one set of coordinates contained more numbers than the other. I now understand how this is , because of your plain, uncomplicated , explanation. Thanks again.
Thanks man. You sell some really good quality protractors. I love mine. It’s laminated on both sides so the numbers and markings don’t wear off and is very strong yet flexible. The best I’ve found and for a very reasonable price
This video and your map tools sure make it easy to plot coordinates on my maps. I'm very glad to have discovered them. Thank you very much. Keep the videos coming please.
Thank you so much for this excellent explanation!! Your video will definitely help me teach this to my Scouts! I just placed an order this morning to purchase some of the products from your website!
I'm a beginner on landnav using topographic maps lensatic compass along with items I purchased from maptools and now without these videos on UA-cam it's a big help because I'm self learning I will be watching more videos.
Nice video. Very easy to understand. I have a question though. My 1:24,000 maps do not have the UTM lines drawn on them, so I’m having to fill them in myself. But they do have some other type of lines that intersect and form grids that are about as big as the entire UTM map reading tool you use in your video. Do you know what those are and can I use them with the UTM map reading tool or do I have to continue hand drawing the UTM lines? Thank you.
Not all USGS maps have the UTM grid lines drawn in. In those cases you'll need to connect the UTM tics on the edges with a line yourself. The other grid lines you see, most likely printed in red, are the Public Land Survey section lines. They are typically one mile square. Prior to opening the Western United States to homesteading, the land need to be surveyed, and the Public Land Survey System is the result. The USGS has a nice description of the system here: nationalmap.gov/small_scale/a_plss.html. The BLM has a nice video on the history of the system. ua-cam.com/video/eR2F8OdW34E/v-deo.html. The PLSS has plenty of irregularities stemming from errors in the original survey work, so it does not make a suitable coordinate system for using with a GPS receiver.
The 6 and 8 digit Military Grid Reference System coordinates are just abbreviations of UTM coordinates. Learn UTM and rest follow easily. A military protractor will work just fine. At the root of it, your just measuring distance on a map in meters.
How do I get the UTM coordinates on my etrex 10? I've looked til I'm dizzy! Also, I've ordered the book from Map Tools. Thank you for all of this info. It really helps.
Setup -> Position Format -> UTM UPS Here is a link to my eTrex 10/20 set up guide. maptools.com/bundles/maptoolsstaticpages/pdfs/instructors/eTrex_10-20_Setup_Use.pdf
The option to add a navigation grid is in step 4 of their map configuration process. These days I usually print my own map using CalTopo.com. They have lots of map choices along with coordinate grids.
This is a great video explaining UTMs and how to set up your GPS, but if you really want to be as accurate as possible, why not just use a set of calibers and measure in mm how far you are from the grid line and multiply that by 24 because every mm on a 1:24000 scale map would be equal to 24 meters on the ground. In your example you could have divided 174 by 24=7.25 so on the map the spot would be 7.25mm from the 319 grid line and from the 4145 grid line take the 312 divide by 24 to give you 13mm from the 4145 grid line. To me you can't get much more precise than measuring in mm. To go from GPS to map divide remaining numbers after grid line by 24. To go from map to GPS measure spot on map in mm from grid line then multiply by 24 to get meters for coordinates.
Your technique would totally work. But imagine you are in the field; it's dark and raining. You are tired, wet, and cold, should you be dividing by 24 and then measuring in millimeters with your calipers?
just bought the round mgrs/utm coordinate reader and i have to say the booklet glued to the tool with the mgrs quiz was far more easier to understand than the also included booklet tools for working with utm,mgrs, and usng coordinates which has the quiz using utm. i didnt need to read the instructions to understand mrgs. i just looked it and the dots connected. unfortunately utm is not working out do well particularly because the map is in 1:50,000 and the 1:50,000 slot tool does not have the finer markings. so far mgrs supper easy while utm sucks.
The UTM Coordinate System is similar the common cartesian (xy) coordinate system used in mathematics. The X axis increases from left to right and the Y axis increases from bottom to top. That corresponds to the UTM easting increasing from west to east and the northing increasing from south to north.
Animations are superb and make this the clearest explanation I’ve ever seen.
This is the best walkthrough I have seen on this topic. Thank you.
Agreed!
Thanks John for your videos. I just received my Super GTA MapTools grid reader in the mail today. Very helpful information sent with the grid reader for new people learning to read Topo maps.
Thank you very much
Very well explained! A little tip from using the UTM grid in the (German) military: in order not to confuse N/E (first go up/down or left/right on the grid?), imagine a cat: the cat runs first TO a tree (i.e. first group of coordinates is horizontal direction), then the cat climbs UP the tree (i.e. the second group of coordinates is vertical direction).
In the US Army, we say “right up your ass”
Right Easting/ Up Northern
Easier way: 1. GRID MARK (33, 34, etc..),
2. SQUARE MARK (T, WL, WK...),
3. VERTICAL NUMBER,
4.HORINZONTAL DISTANCE
5. HORIZONTAL NUMBER
6.VERTICAL DISTANCE
I love this cat analogy!
Thank you for a clear explanation of this system. I was wondering how one set of coordinates contained more numbers than the other. I now understand how this is , because of your plain, uncomplicated , explanation. Thanks again.
Thanks man. You sell some really good quality protractors. I love mine. It’s laminated on both sides so the numbers and markings don’t wear off and is very strong yet flexible. The best I’ve found and for a very reasonable price
Thanks John, I will be using this video from time to time. Keep them coming thanks.
found you on amazon (bought the gird square tool) checked out your site and got me here. thanks for the info!
Brilliant tutorial, very well explained and easy to understand.... Well done !
thank you! Very useful for my introductory archeology course.
Very clearly and precisely presented. Very easy to understand. Thank you for taking the time to make this video.
This video and your map tools sure make it easy to plot coordinates on my maps. I'm very glad to have discovered them. Thank you very much. Keep the videos coming please.
Great video ! We learned "read right, up" although the "cat" is easy to remember.
I still watch the video to refresh. I love this stuff💪
Mate this helped me out heaps! Haven’t used maps in ages but this was a good reminder. Thanks!
Great video. My $100 order is on its way, can't wait.
Thank you so much for this excellent explanation!! Your video will definitely help me teach this to my Scouts! I just placed an order this morning to purchase some of the products from your website!
I'm a beginner on landnav using topographic maps lensatic compass along with items I purchased from maptools and now without these videos on UA-cam it's a big help because I'm self learning I will be watching more videos.
You've explained this very clearly. Thanks.
A nice refresher, simple and straight forward
Great tools and videos!
Things are much better since I bought some of the Map Tools. My grandkids picked up on this quickly.
Excellent. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.
Outstanding. Very easy to understand. Thanks for posting.
Great tools and quality is excellent
Good Video. Thanks
Thank you, you made this so easy to understand!
Nice and easy to understand explained
right on. great helpful work!
This video really helped with my geo homework thanks a bunch
Just awesome!! Thank you!!
I love using this tool.
Thanks from Iraq🌹
Thanks so much !
Got it. Thank you. Professional presentation.
Very good video, great explanation!
Great vid and instructions. 😁👍
Nice video. Very easy to understand. I have a question though. My 1:24,000 maps do not have the UTM lines drawn on them, so I’m having to fill them in myself. But they do have some other type of lines that intersect and form grids that are about as big as the entire UTM map reading tool you use in your video. Do you know what those are and can I use them with the UTM map reading tool or do I have to continue hand drawing the UTM lines? Thank you.
Not all USGS maps have the UTM grid lines drawn in. In those cases you'll need to connect the UTM tics on the edges with a line yourself.
The other grid lines you see, most likely printed in red, are the Public Land Survey section lines. They are typically one mile square. Prior to opening the Western United States to homesteading, the land need to be surveyed, and the Public Land Survey System is the result. The USGS has a nice description of the system here: nationalmap.gov/small_scale/a_plss.html. The BLM has a nice video on the history of the system. ua-cam.com/video/eR2F8OdW34E/v-deo.html. The PLSS has plenty of irregularities stemming from errors in the original survey work, so it does not make a suitable coordinate system for using with a GPS receiver.
MapTools Thanks for responding. I’ll read up on the PLSS.
Why is it you don't use the 8 digit grid like the military is it because of the GPS ? And will a military protractor work?
The 6 and 8 digit Military Grid Reference System coordinates are just abbreviations of UTM coordinates. Learn UTM and rest follow easily. A military protractor will work just fine. At the root of it, your just measuring distance on a map in meters.
Hello sir! I have some questions about coordinates. May you help me?
Grest video, thank you!!!
awesome man thank you
How do I get the UTM coordinates on my etrex 10? I've looked til I'm dizzy! Also, I've ordered the book from Map Tools. Thank you for all of this info. It really helps.
Setup -> Position Format -> UTM UPS
Here is a link to my eTrex 10/20 set up guide. maptools.com/bundles/maptoolsstaticpages/pdfs/instructors/eTrex_10-20_Setup_Use.pdf
Thank you.
Thank you. Very easy.
The grid lines coordinates better with the AZ Gleason map than the spinning water globe.
Wher do I get maps with the utm markings on them? Tried mytopo.com and didn't see where it was when picking a map.
The option to add a navigation grid is in step 4 of their map configuration process. These days I usually print my own map using CalTopo.com. They have lots of map choices along with coordinate grids.
This is a great video explaining UTMs and how to set up your GPS, but if you really want to be as accurate as possible, why not just use a set of calibers and measure in mm how far you are from the grid line and multiply that by 24 because every mm on a 1:24000 scale map would be equal to 24 meters on the ground.
In your example you could have divided 174 by 24=7.25 so on the map the spot would be 7.25mm from the 319 grid line and from the 4145 grid line take the 312 divide by 24 to give you 13mm from the 4145 grid line. To me you can't get much more precise than measuring in mm.
To go from GPS to map divide remaining numbers after grid line by 24.
To go from map to GPS measure spot on map in mm from grid line then multiply by 24 to get meters for coordinates.
Your technique would totally work. But imagine you are in the field; it's dark and raining. You are tired, wet, and cold, should you be dividing by 24 and then measuring in millimeters with your calipers?
thankssir
excellent appreciate it y1geology student
Thanks sir
very good!
just bought the round mgrs/utm coordinate reader and i have to say the booklet glued to the tool with the mgrs quiz was far more easier to understand than the also included booklet tools for working with utm,mgrs, and usng coordinates which has the quiz using utm. i didnt need to read the instructions to understand mrgs. i just looked it and the dots connected. unfortunately utm is not working out do well particularly because the map is in 1:50,000 and the 1:50,000 slot tool does not have the finer markings. so far mgrs supper easy while utm sucks.
Why all topography map E or N what been West and south pilz any one give me answer
The UTM Coordinate System is similar the common cartesian (xy) coordinate system used in mathematics. The X axis increases from left to right and the Y axis increases from bottom to top. That corresponds to the UTM easting increasing from west to east and the northing increasing from south to north.
Thank you sir
I am from Nepal very thank you.
I am Nepal army
Who ever bastard came up with this chaos...
Want to parse 1Q 433568 m 1978405 m to lang long in iOS app . Is it doable ?
How to plot degree minutes and seconds in 1:4000 map