UTM Plotter Warning

 

We recently discovered a manufacturing defect with the small credit card sized UTM plotters that were given away in the swag bags at the 2005/6 USARA National Championships.  These tools, produced by The TeamXperience, LLC (www.theteamxperience.com), may contain various logos but may be identified by The TeamXperience branding placed on the tool.  

 

As anyone who competed at the 2006 USARA Nationals will remember, we were told that we had to use the swag UTM tool to mark the points as the course was set with this tool.  Using any other tool would result in misplaced CP’s.  Upon closer inspection of the swag UTM plotter we found that the CP hole has been drilled slightly off center causing the middle of the circle to be off from the desired location by up to 40 meters.

 

If you have one of these UTM tools we would recommend testing it on a properly marked map prior to using it at any other events, as you may be plotting points in the wrong location.

 

Simple Accuracy Test

Place the UTM tool with the x and y lines along the edge of a UTM square to plot a point that is xxxx000 xxxx000.  Draw the CP circle in this location and verify that the intersecting lines of the square are exactly in the center of the circle.  If the lines do not intersect in the center of the circle the UTM tool that you have is suspect and should probably be replaced before your next event.

 

We have been in contact with The TeamXperience, LLC and additional information will soon be made available at www.theteamxperience.com

 

 

Regards,

 

Mark Manning

www.ARNavSupplies.com