I looked up some GPS coordinates on Google maps, but the numbers do not work correctly on my GPS.

For example
right click on map click whats here and it displays GPS numbers
31.822148,-99024239
when I click again I get these numbers
31 49 21.18
99 4 10.41

When I enter the second set of numbers the first # 31 49 21.18 has an extra number the second one is ok. I saved a waypoint here is it was off quite a bit?

any thought about on the extra number?

make sure you're using the same coordinate entry system. I enter coords off google maps, navionics hotmaps, martins maps all the time - just have to watch the conversion from DD to DMS.

I am GPS stupid and not sure what you mean in your response, do the numbers above look like the ones you see on gougle map? How do you convert them?

Lat & Long are expressed in degrees to the sixth decimal in the original and degree, min, sec in the converted. Most GPS units can switch between the different formats by changing menu options. Or you can go to this website and it will do the conversion:

Coord-Conv

Sorry about that Bass Wipe - didn't mean to add to the confusion

J O F posted the link to the good conversion tool

I tried to convert decimals to M&S converter works great.

31.822494-99.071445 convert to
31� 49' 20.9778"
99� 4' 17.2014"

My lowrance Elite 5 only has fields like below

31.49 252'

Is the " and ' the difference?

I check my manual and setting menue and I see no place to change this field?

On older Lowrance units the first three choices for 'Coordinate System' are.

Degrees-
36.14952�
95.84298�

Degrees/minutes-
36�08.971'
95�50.579'

Degrees/minutes/seconds-
36�08'58.3"
95�50'34.7"

Do the HDS units have a different system? If so, it seems like they overcomplicated things.

You can also do the conversions yourself if you just remember that there are 60 minutes in a degree and 60 seconds in a minute.

To get to decimals take the deg/min/sec Lat number 36�08'58.3".
Start with the 58.3 sec � 60 sec/min = 0.971 min. Add 8 min = 8.971 min.
Degrees/minutes = 36�08.971'

Take the 08.971 min � 60 min/deg = 0.14952 deg. Add 36 deg = 36.14952�

To get from decimals to deg/min/sec just reverse the equation.
36.14952� - 36� = 0.14952� X 60 min/deg = 8.971 min. Subtract 8 min = 0.971 min X 60 sec/min = 58.8 sec.

Gets you right back to 36�08'58.3"

For accuracy's sake, one second of longitude equals approximately 100 feet. While it changes from equator to pole, one second of latitude in the north/central Texas area equals approximately 85 feet. +/- two feet.

Thanks for the help, I sent a note to Lowrance and I will advise what they have to say.

I would think this would not be such a complicated mess??

GPS coordinates are either in Degrees, Minutes, Seconds

OR

Decimal Degrees Latitude/Longitude

You need to see how you unit is set up to enter them and enter them that way or change you unit setting to enter them the other way.

Pretty simple really.

http://www.fcc.gov/mb/audio/bickel/DDDMMSS-decimal.html

Thanks I have no problem with the conversion, here is the response I got back from Lowrance.

Thank you for contacting us.

The coordinate systems being used between the two maps are likely different. If the systems are the same the numbers will be also.

Please feel free to contact us if we may be of further assistance.

Lowrance Customer Service
Division of Navico Inc.

12000 E. Skelly Dr.
Tulsa, OK 74128

Most maps that I use that have GPS coordinates tell you what coordinate system to use in your Fishfinder/GPS.

Example: "Fishing Hot Spots" map of Lake O' Pines says:

"Reference Datum NAD83. I went into menu for GPS setup and there is a long list of different datums. I selected NAD83.

My Lake Fork map uses a different datum. So when I go there I go into menu and select the correct datum for Lake Fork.. The unit then sets the correct format for the coordinates. I can enter by hand any I choose.

Bass, did you get it figured out yet? Everyone is right, although not necessarily talking about the same thing. You do have to set the GPS to the same datum as the map (most likely NAD83), but you also have to enter the coordinates correctly. The first can make your waypoints a bit off, but not entering them correctly they will most likely not work at all. Where are you at now in the process?

I have just about given up!!

I have elected to put my girl up on the bow with her dang IPHONE and GPS program she has!!

LOL

Here is the last response I had from Lowrance.

Thank you for contacting us.

The coordinate system on the unit is static and cannot be changed.

Please feel free to contact us if we may be of further assistance.

Lowrance Customer Service
Division of Navico Inc.

12000 E. Skelly Dr.
Tulsa, OK 74128

Lowrance website: < http://www.lowrance.com/>

I agree, the responses from Lowrance aren't much help. Most certainly the issue is that you are not entering the coordinates in the format that it recognizes. I don't have a Lowrance but almost all GPS unis now want them entered as full degrees and decimal minutes. Post one that you are trying to enter and we can make a few suggestions on ways to try entering it.