Used a sextant today

[kashurst]

I was given a Davis sextant @ 10 years ago as a leaving work gift. I never really tried to use it and forgot about it. Rediscovered it recently so had a go with it today.
Very easy to use and the basic calculations and corrections for lat and long straightforward. Checked my results with GPS and I was very close for a first go. Going to try it with the pole star tonight. Makes you appreciate what sailors used to do to navigate before GPS etc.

 

[Mr Googler]

People took to the sea before gps! Madness

As you say, those earlier mariner days were something else, discovering places as they went. Didn't always end well though!

 

[Seastoke]

hope she showered after I used her

 

[oceanfroggie]

I was given a Davis sextant @ 10 years ago as a leaving work gift. I never really tried to use it and forgot about it. Rediscovered it recently so had a go with it today. Very easy to use and the basic calculations and corrections for lat and long straightforward. Checked my results with GPS and I was very close for a first go. Going to try it with the pole star tonight. Makes you appreciate what sailors used to do to navigate before GPS etc.

Excellent. What object(s) did you sight and did you use an online almanac?

 

[Sandyman]

Makes you appreciate what sailors used to do to navigate before GPS etc.

Even before the sextant arrived on the scene. http://www.mat.uc.pt/~helios/Mestre/Novemb00/H61iflan.htm

 

[kashurst]

"Excellent. What object(s) did you sight and did you use an online almanac?"

I used the tables in the back of teh instruction manual - not absolutely spot on but good enough for beginner.
I did a noon measurement of the sun. I tried to do a measure using polaris at night but there was too much background light to do it.

 

[Fredd]

Makes you appreciate what sailors used to do to navigate before GPS etc.[/QUOTE]

This is a great read - https://www.bookdepository.com/Sext...516582?ref=grid-view&qid=1500480205320&sr=1-1

It's amazing what sailors went through years ago and how the sextant changed exploration of the world