how many feet does a second equal?

[Trekkin and Birdin]

For each increase of 100 in the seconds part of coordinates, how many feet are represented?

Can you tell we are wanting to avoid a proximity issue? LOL Thanks in advance.

[sandlanders]

Found this calculator that might help:

http://www.csgnetwork.com/gpsdistcalc.html

In using 1 degree=so many feet or whatever, the latitude shouldn’t matter where you are, but the longitude equivalencies depend on your latitude (think: how far between meridians at the equator compared to at the poles).

Someone with more technical knowledge, feel free to jump in.

[marc_54140]

N 44.26.424
+ 1(=5 feet)
N 44.26.425

It’s approximate, but it works fine.

[MikeB]

The circumference of the earth is approx 24000 mi (40,000 km), so 1 degree north to south is approx 67 miles (111 km) , 1 minute (1/60th of a degree) is 5870 feet (around 360 rods or 1850 m), and 1 second (1/60th of a minute) is 98 feet (6 rods or 31 m).

East to west depends on how far north or south you are. If you are at the equator, a second is 98 feet. In Wisconsin it varies from 65 to 75 feet (4 to 5 rods or 20 to 25 m). At the poles, the distance goes to zero.

This is all estimate — the earth isn’t exactly round and smooth.

My Garmin lists lat/long in terms of fractions of minutes — the third digit (thousandths) is about 6 feet (2m) north-south and around 4 feet (1.5m) east-west.

[cheezehead]

Here is an easy way also. What kind of GPS unit do you have. Both my Etrex and Map60 have a Proximity function. Just pick a location, whether it be another cache or whatever, set the proximity alarm for .10 and it shows a a red circle that is with in 525 feet from the location. But if memory servers me right, brothers follow brothers so I’m saying it’s not a Garmin. Magellan? 😕

[Trekkin and Birdin]

Thanks everyone, and though brothers follow brothers, Trekkin’ is lusting for that fancy new Colorado. And this is a mixed marriage; I have a yellow eTrex…..and I find them just fine with it!

[zuma]

@MikeB wrote:

The circumference of the earth is approx 24000 mi (40,000 km), so 1 degree north to south is approx 67 miles (111 km) , 1 minute (1/60th of a degree) is 5870 feet (around 360 rods or 1850 m), and 1 second (1/60th of a minute) is 98 feet (6 rods or 31 m).

East to west depends on how far north or south you are. If you are at the equator, a second is 98 feet. In Wisconsin it varies from 65 to 75 feet (4 to 5 rods or 20 to 25 m). At the poles, the distance goes to zero.

This is all estimate — the earth isn’t exactly round and smooth.

My Garmin lists lat/long in terms of fractions of minutes — the third digit (thousandths) is about 6 feet (2m) north-south and around 4 feet (1.5m) east-west.

Thanks for the excellent explanation of this.

z

[MikeB]

Waiting for shameless Navicache plug from Rogheff 🙄

Listing on Navicache would, of course, eliminate the problem of proximity. It would also eliminate the problem of people finding it.

[kbraband]

@MikeB wrote:

Waiting for shameless Navicache plug from Rogheff 🙄

Listing on Navicache would, of course, eliminate the problem of proximity. It would also eliminate the problem of people finding it.

LOL! 😛

[Lostby7]

@kbraband wrote:

@MikeB wrote:

Waiting for shameless Navicache plug from Rogheff 🙄

Listing on Navicache would, of course, eliminate the problem of proximity. It would also eliminate the problem of people finding it.

LOL! 😛

I’ll second that LOL… 😈
(I’m beginning to think he owns stock)

[Author]

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