In the digital age of GPS trackers, routing software, electronic nautical charts, and navigation apps, these tools seem to have rendered paper nautical charts obsolete. Whether setting off on a mountain hike, sailing offshore, or going on a road trip across several countries, most travelers rely on their smartphone, smartwatch, or handheld GPS to find their way. Yet the question remains: is it wise to rely solely on an electronic device for navigation? Does the paper map—a millennia-old tool often considered outdated—still hold an indispensable role?
Yet, the question remains: is it wise to depend solely on an electronic device for navigation? Does the paper chart—an age-old tool often dismissed as outdated—still play an indispensable role?
This article explores the advantages and limitations of both approaches and attempts to answer a simple yet crucial question: should we always carry a paper chart, even when equipped with a GPS tracker?
“At Nautic Way Maritime Bookstore, we sometimes have customers who want to cross the Northwest Passage or even sail around the world using nothing but their smartphone!”
1. The GPS Revolution: A Powerful and Precise Tool
1.1. Unmatched Comfort in Navigation
The GPS (Global Positioning System) is an American geolocation system that has, in just a few decades, revolutionized navigation. By displaying the user’s exact position on a digital map, it eliminates uncertainty and reduces the time needed to orient oneself.
That said, it must be noted that the U.S. intentionally degrades its signals, creating inaccuracies ranging from a few dozen meters to more in the event of military conflict.
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No more taking bearings from landmarks along the coast: GPS locates you instantly.
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Routing software suggests optimized routes depending on weather, winds, currents, tides, depth, and hazards, automatically recalculates, and even provides estimated travel time.
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On a hike, a quality GPS displays the trail, measures altitude, calculates remaining distance, and records waypoints.
1.2. Features Impossible with Paper
Unlike traditional charts, GPS:
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works day and night, even in fog,
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can store hundreds of maps and routes,
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provides dynamic data (weather, speed, accurate contour lines),
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makes it easy to share tracks with other users.
For many travelers, this convenience makes paper maps seem unnecessary.
2. The Limitations of Electronic Devices
Despite its advantages, GPS is not foolproof. Several factors must be considered.
2.1. Dependence on Power
All electronic devices rely on batteries.
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A single winter day’s hike can drain a smartphone within hours.
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Cold drastically reduces lithium battery life.
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On multi-day expeditions, carrying enough batteries or solar panels becomes burdensome.
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Several days without sunlight can render solar charging impossible.
A paper chart, by contrast, never “runs out of power.”
2.2. Physical Vulnerability
A GPS can:
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fall and break,
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be damaged by water, sand, or humidity,
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fail due to a software bug.
“At Nautic Way, some of our customers—smartphone or PC users—call us after switching devices or updating their phone, only to find their charts missing. And since some electronic chart providers don’t even offer customer support…”
A cracked screen alone can make a device useless. A paper chart, even damaged, remains readable.
2.3. Satellite Coverage and Signal Issues
Although GPS works almost everywhere on Earth, tricky situations exist:
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narrow valleys,
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canyons,
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dense forests,
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urban buildings,
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intentional signal degradation,
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outdated GPS or chartplotter software.
“One of our well-known clients circumnavigated the globe on a catamaran using only renewable energy. As he sailed back toward Amsterdam, his GPS placed him in farmland for several hours! A chartplotter issue? Outdated charts? Imagine if that had happened at night…”
Signal loss can slow positioning. A paper chart with a compass and dead reckoning remains reliable in such contexts.
2.4. Cognitive Dependence
Relying solely on a device that “thinks for us” erodes navigation skills over time:
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reading charts,
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interpreting contour lines (underwater or terrain),
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estimating distances relative to terrain,
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maintaining a global sense of direction,
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making independent decisions.
This skill loss can be dangerous if GPS fails.
3. Paper Charts: Ancient Yet Still Relevant
3.1. Complete Autonomy
The strength of paper maps lies in their independence from electricity, networks, or software. They always work—provided you know how to read them.
“At Nautic Way, we are sometimes surprised at the level of certain customers who embark on major crossings. One wonders if they really have their offshore license and any practical knowledge at all!”
3.2. A Broader Perspective
A chart offers an overview no screen can match.
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Depending on scale, a nautical chart shows an entire region, not just the narrow segment visible on GPS.
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It allows anticipation of alternate routes, identification of points of interest, and planning of fallback options.
3.3. Proven Reliability
For centuries, paper charts have guided travelers, explorers, sailors, and mountaineers. Properly maintained and protected, they remain usable for years.
“Even in major races like the Vendée Globe, some sailors buy paper charts from us—just in case—especially exit charts for making landfall in the event of damage.”
3.4. An Educational Tool
Learning to read charts builds valuable skills:
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spatial awareness,
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understanding relief,
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interpreting topographic symbols.
These skills foster true independence, regardless of technology.
“At Nautic Way, we are accredited by certain hydrographic offices and publishers, meaning we guarantee our customers receive only the latest edition of nautical charts. Beware of charts that have sat too long on other vendors’ shelves—you risk buying something obsolete!”
4. Practical Scenarios: GPS vs. Paper
4.1. Mountain Hiking
A hiker follows a GPS track. Fog sets in, the signal drops, and the battery runs low. The paper map confirms the general direction and helps avoid a fatal mistake.
4.2. Offshore Sailing
A skipper with a high-end GPS plotter can navigate at night with ease. But if the system fails mid-passage, the chart and compass become the only reliable tools to stay on course.
4.3. International Road Trip
A driver follows GPS effortlessly until entering an area with no signal or outdated maps. A classic road atlas provides the alternative route to reach the destination.
5. Arguments Against Paper Maps
Some argue that, today, carrying maps is pointless:
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extra weight, especially for lightweight expeditions,
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less convenient to use in poor weather,
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risk of water damage unless protected,
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learning curve: many no longer know how to read them,
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need for updates to remain accurate.
For them, GPS (often backed up by a smartphone or smartwatch) is enough, with electronic redundancy mitigating the risks.
6. Toward Complementarity Rather Than Exclusivity
Rather than opposing GPS and paper, the smart approach is complementarity.
6.1. GPS as the Primary Tool
GPS provides comfort and precision, ideal for following tracks, calculating distances, and offering dynamic guidance.
6.2. Paper as a Safety Net
Charts serve as Plan B. They allow travelers to:
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re-orient in case of failure,
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anticipate alternatives,
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maintain a broad overview.
“Some of our clients sail with GPS, but tell us they regularly, several times a day, plot their positions on paper charts.”
6.3. Best Practice: Use Both Together
For hikers, sailors, or travelers, the ideal approach is to:
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plan routes on paper charts,
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use GPS for day-to-day guidance,
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keep charts protected in a waterproof case for emergencies.
7. The Future: Will Paper Charts Disappear?
7.1. Current Trends
In France, sales of paper nautical charts and electronic charts now seem to have reached a balance.
7.2. Risks of Disappearance
Abandoning paper entirely would mean:
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full dependence on energy and satellites,
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loss of a vital skill,
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increased risk in certain situations.
7.3. Likely Survival in Specialized Use
In demanding fields (military, rescue, polar expeditions, mountaineering, marine navigation), paper remains mandatory. It is unlikely to disappear completely.
“Our round-the-world customers equip themselves with electronic charts for routing software or plotters, but they still buy paper charts—for safety, and for difficult areas.”
Conclusion
So, should you always carry a paper chart, even with a GPS?
The answer isn’t absolute, but it leans toward yes. GPS offers unmatched precision and convenience, but it has weaknesses: power dependence, fragility, reliance on satellites. Paper, though less practical, is a vital backup and a guarantee of autonomy.
The best approach is not to choose one over the other, but to combine them wisely. GPS ensures precise guidance; paper provides global perspective and safety. Together, they allow for stress-free travel without fear of a technological failure derailing the adventure.
Ultimately, carrying a paper chart—even folded at the bottom of your bag—remains a precaution every prudent traveler should keep.