2006-07-16 14:08:37 · 6 answers · asked by lovey 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Military
It's not really necessary, you should have access to a PLGGR any time that you might need GPS. Also, a civilian GPS devices won't give you locations using military grids like a PLGGR will, so it won't be as easy to use a civilian device in conjunction with a military map.
2006-07-16 14:19:17 · answer #1 · answered by zmm 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
An Etrex is a great investment. You can program it to give military grids just like the PLGGR, and it's smaller. You might not have the detailed road maps from the area, but you can still plug in way points so you don't get lost. I used one on every patrol. I never regretted having it. I even used it to mark locations where IEDs were set off along our route, mosques in the area, and anything else of interest to me or my LT. Last time I was there not everyone have a damn PLGGR on them so don't believe that crap about being able to check it anytime you need to. Also, I got great reception there, never had a problem getting a reading.
2006-07-16 14:57:38 · answer #2 · answered by mike_one_zero 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not Unless It Is Programmed For That Area,And Has Satelite reception,I Would Not Replace The One Uncle Sam Gives You With It,You May Make Yourself A Target,Ask Some Of Your Superiors,And Check With The Boys In Communications
2006-07-16 14:17:49 · answer #3 · answered by dogsx11 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Everybody carries a commercial GPS in Iraq. They are far superior to the PLGR. The only real use a PLGR has is to attach to a BFT (Blue Force tracker) unit. Otherwise we all used commercial GPS units.
The features you should look for are:
1) Battery life
2) Compatibility with MGRS (Military Grid reference System)
3) Large and easy to read position readout
Forget the built-in maps and such - you will be referencing of a military map that is more up to date than anything in the software.
2006-07-16 14:57:48 · answer #4 · answered by MikeGolf 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
a garmin etrex saved my and my squad's life one time over there. It is better to have one that tells your position relative to other waypoints than the pluggr that just gives you your position in a numeric display. I don't remember the model I had when there but I put in a waypoint at the gates of each base and used the track log to plot MSR's and other routes. It worked great.
2006-07-17 03:31:15 · answer #5 · answered by jordanjd4 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes,you don't want to get lost in a hostile area and not know which way to turn when the bullets start flying and you need to make a quick retreat. Or if your unit is cut off and nobody knows how many clicks away the safe zone is or in what direction either . Buy one is my best advice
2006-07-16 14:18:32 · answer #6 · answered by Baguio_bob 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋