What is (or was) Loran?
Loran is another method of navigation which used ground-based transmitters instead of the spiffier satellites of GPS. Because GPS is cheaper, more accurate, globally based and more reliable, there really isn’t much call for Loran anymore. In addition, conversion of the data it spat out (“Time Differences” or TDs) to latitude and longitude was somewhat probematical. In one respect, Loran is more accurate than a GPS. If you have a specific fishing spot, and you want to return to it at a later time, you’ll find that you can use the raw Loran data (the time differences) to return to that spot within about 50 feet. In other words, Loran’s inaccuracy is in determining latitude and longitude; its repeatability is good. However, you can obtain similar results with GPS and use a depth sounder or fish finder to determine your location through patterns in the water’s depth. This repeatability is why many fishermen still use Loran. Old Loran units may still work, but fixing one would be more expen
