How to display GPS co-ordinates for RSA public consumption?

Hey guys.

Simple question, what is the best and most universal way to display GPS coordinates on a company website and downloadable/printable PDF maps/directions?

I'm looking for the most common format used in South Africa, and supported by all the different GPS devices.

I've seen several different formats in use (copy/pasted from a local Google search)

1. S25° 40.8287, E028° 16.5528
2. 26º 10’ 21.56”, 28º 4’ 37.74”
3. -29.768112, 31.006315
4. Lat: -25.461651834550434, Lon: 30.929828882217407
5. 34 11' 38.31 S
   18 26' 16.54 E

Problem is that customers often complain that the GPS coordinates don't work, because they don't understand how to input it into their GPS devices. Also, how many decimal places do you need to display? If you have more digits after the decimal point, does it make the coordinate more accurate?

Remember that these coordinates will be used by Joe Public, including truck drivers, sales reps, couriers and your average consumer.

Please help!

I'd go with #2. I think its also closest to the official version.

I know what you mean though...this coordinate business should be foolproof but it isn't in practice. Take a point straight out of a TomTom & put it in a Garmin and you end up somewhere in the pacific.

Decimals...5 or 6 should be enough.

The website I maintain uses #1 - it's simplest to understand, I think. Of course, the client gave it to me that way, and I've not bothered to look into which would be best, to be honest. :erm:

Thanks guys. I think I'm gonna go with displaying 2 options: Option 1, and option 3/4 (they're the same).

I would say 3/4.
Simply because they will know exactly how to enter, no weird characters or other things to make them cry.

For ease of data capture I'd say 3/4 unless you implement a mask.