Welcome to the NavList Message Boards.

NavList:

A Community Devoted to the Preservation and Practice of Celestial Navigation and Other Methods of Traditional Wayfinding

Compose Your Message

Message:αβγ
Message:abc
Add Images & Files
    Name or NavList Code:
    Email:
       
    Reply
    Re: Calculator Recommendations
    From: John D. Howard
    Date: 2017 Sep 4, 12:46 -0700

     Jing,

    Welcome to NavList.

    You asked:

    "So on to my question. I've seen a few of the posts on this forum talk about calculators, and for completeness sake, I wanted to make sure I got as wide a range of opinions as possible. So here's my question: what calculators do you use for routine celestial navigation and why? Or do you use something else (a smart phone app, computer program, pen and paper only, etc), and why? "

    My favorite method for doing cel-nav is paper and pen using Greg Rudzinski's " Ageton Classic Sight Reduction Table".  Only 12 pages ( 6 back to back ) and you can do St Hilere intercepts, timed sights, great circle sailing, compass checks with amplutude or any other formula that uses sine and cosine.  Fast and fun - no need for electronics.

    I also have written several programs in Small Basic that I use when comparing a lot of ( other peoples ) sights.  My latest project was teaching myself Excel and now use the spreadsheet to do sight reduction.  But for fun I still like pen and paper.

    My calculator is the TI-30Xa.  Like Bill, I think it is fast and reliable.  No solar power but after 10 years of using it the thing just keeps on working.

    You asked why we use a method.  For me, if I just want quick answers then my calculator or spreadsheet is the fastest but for fun, to go outside and take a sextant sight, come inside and calculate altitude and azimuth then the hands-on feeling of pen and paper, looking up data in my alamanc and sine tables is my favorite.

    I am a retired pilot.  When I flew and needed to know my position then speed was important but now, hands-on fun is my way.

    John H.

    Greg's Classic Ageton tables are avaible in the NavList arcives.

       
    Reply
    Browse Files

    Drop Files

    NavList

    What is NavList?

    Get a NavList ID Code

    Name:
    (please, no nicknames or handles)
    Email:
    Do you want to receive all group messages by email?
    Yes No

    A NavList ID Code guarantees your identity in NavList posts and allows faster posting of messages.

    Retrieve a NavList ID Code

    Enter the email address associated with your NavList messages. Your NavList code will be emailed to you immediately.
    Email:

    Email Settings

    NavList ID Code:

    Custom Index

    Subject:
    Author:
    Start date: (yyyymm dd)
    End date: (yyyymm dd)

    Visit this site
    Visit this site
    Visit this site
    Visit this site
    Visit this site
    Visit this site