diff --git a/Examples/plot_geodetic2ecef.py b/Examples/plot_geodetic2ecef.py
index 16c9487..a95876d 100644
--- a/Examples/plot_geodetic2ecef.py
+++ b/Examples/plot_geodetic2ecef.py
@@ -1,5 +1,7 @@
 #!/usr/bin/env python3
 
+from __future__ import annotations
+import typing
 import argparse
 
 import matplotlib.pyplot as mpl
@@ -15,7 +17,7 @@
 x, y, z = pm.geodetic2ecef(lat, lon, args.alt_m)
 
 
-def panel(ax, val, name: str, cmap: str = None):
+def panel(ax, val, name: str, cmap: str | None = None):
     hi = ax.pcolormesh(lon, lat, val, cmap=cmap)
     ax.set_title(name)
     fg.colorbar(hi, ax=ax).set_label(name + " [m]")
@@ -23,7 +25,7 @@ def panel(ax, val, name: str, cmap: str = None):
 
 
 fg = mpl.figure(figsize=(16, 5))
-axs = fg.subplots(1, 3, sharey=True)
+axs: typing.Any = fg.subplots(1, 3, sharey=True)
 fg.suptitle("geodetic2ecef")
 
 panel(axs[0], x, "x", "bwr")
diff --git a/pyproject.toml b/pyproject.toml
index eaffd35..f6e1012 100644
--- a/pyproject.toml
+++ b/pyproject.toml
@@ -42,8 +42,6 @@ known_third_party = ["pymap3d"]
 files = ["src", "Examples", "scripts"]
 
 ignore_missing_imports = true
-strict_optional = false
-show_column_numbers = true
 
 [tool.coverage.run]
 branch = true
diff --git a/src/pymap3d/__init__.py b/src/pymap3d/__init__.py
index d49250a..6f4575b 100644
--- a/src/pymap3d/__init__.py
+++ b/src/pymap3d/__init__.py
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@
 * Fortran: [Maptran3D](https://github.com/geospace-code/maptran3d)
 """
 
-__version__ = "3.0.1"
+__version__ = "3.1.0"
 
 from .aer import aer2ecef, aer2geodetic, ecef2aer, geodetic2aer
 from .ecef import (
diff --git a/src/pymap3d/aer.py b/src/pymap3d/aer.py
index 1c8128d..631345b 100644
--- a/src/pymap3d/aer.py
+++ b/src/pymap3d/aer.py
@@ -15,6 +15,8 @@
 
 __all__ = ["aer2ecef", "ecef2aer", "geodetic2aer", "aer2geodetic", "eci2aer", "aer2eci"]
 
+ELL = Ellipsoid.from_name("wgs84")
+
 
 def ecef2aer(
     x,
@@ -23,7 +25,7 @@ def ecef2aer(
     lat0,
     lon0,
     h0,
-    ell: Ellipsoid = None,
+    ell: Ellipsoid = ELL,
     deg: bool = True,
 ) -> tuple:
     """
@@ -72,7 +74,7 @@ def geodetic2aer(
     lat0,
     lon0,
     h0,
-    ell: Ellipsoid = None,
+    ell: Ellipsoid = ELL,
     deg: bool = True,
 ) -> tuple:
     """
@@ -120,7 +122,7 @@ def aer2geodetic(
     lat0,
     lon0,
     h0,
-    ell: Ellipsoid = None,
+    ell: Ellipsoid = ELL,
     deg: bool = True,
 ) -> tuple:
     """
@@ -213,7 +215,7 @@ def aer2eci(
     lon0,
     h0,
     t: datetime,
-    ell=None,
+    ell: Ellipsoid = ELL,
     *,
     deg: bool = True,
 ) -> tuple:
@@ -269,7 +271,7 @@ def aer2ecef(
     lat0,
     lon0,
     alt0,
-    ell: Ellipsoid = None,
+    ell: Ellipsoid = ELL,
     deg: bool = True,
 ) -> tuple:
     """
diff --git a/src/pymap3d/ecef.py b/src/pymap3d/ecef.py
index 4c7d2c4..88423a0 100644
--- a/src/pymap3d/ecef.py
+++ b/src/pymap3d/ecef.py
@@ -16,7 +16,6 @@
 
 from .ellipsoid import Ellipsoid
 from .mathfun import atan, atan2, cos, degrees, hypot, isclose, radians, sin, sqrt, tan
-from .utils import sanitize
 
 __all__ = [
     "geodetic2ecef",
@@ -30,12 +29,14 @@
     "enu2ecef",
 ]
 
+ELL = Ellipsoid.from_name("wgs84")
+
 
 def geodetic2ecef(
     lat,
     lon,
     alt,
-    ell: Ellipsoid = None,
+    ell: Ellipsoid = ELL,
     deg: bool = True,
 ) -> tuple:
     """
@@ -68,8 +69,9 @@ def geodetic2ecef(
     z
         target z ECEF coordinate (meters)
     """
-    lat, ell = sanitize(lat, ell, deg)
+
     if deg:
+        lat = radians(lat)
         lon = radians(lon)
 
     # radius of curvature of the prime vertical section
@@ -88,7 +90,7 @@ def ecef2geodetic(
     x,
     y,
     z,
-    ell: Ellipsoid = None,
+    ell: Ellipsoid = ELL,
     deg: bool = True,
 ) -> tuple:
     """
@@ -121,9 +123,6 @@ def ecef2geodetic(
     Journal of Surveying Engineering. doi: 10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9453
     """
 
-    if ell is None:
-        ell = Ellipsoid.from_name("wgs84")
-
     try:
         x = asarray(x)
         y = asarray(y)
@@ -167,10 +166,7 @@ def ecef2geodetic(
                 # eqn. 13
                 Beta += (
                     (ell.semiminor_axis * u - ell.semimajor_axis * huE + E**2) * sin(Beta)
-                ) / (
-                    ell.semimajor_axis * huE * 1 / cos(Beta)
-                    - E**2 * cos(Beta)
-                )
+                ) / (ell.semimajor_axis * huE * 1 / cos(Beta) - E**2 * cos(Beta))
         except (ArithmeticError, RuntimeWarning):
             if isclose(z, 0):
                 Beta = 0
@@ -281,7 +277,7 @@ def ecef2enu(
     lat0,
     lon0,
     h0,
-    ell: Ellipsoid = None,
+    ell: Ellipsoid = ELL,
     deg: bool = True,
 ) -> tuple:
     """
@@ -407,7 +403,7 @@ def uvw2enu(u, v, w, lat0, lon0, deg: bool = True) -> tuple:
     return East, North, Up
 
 
-def eci2geodetic(x, y, z, t: datetime, ell: Ellipsoid = None, *, deg: bool = True) -> tuple:
+def eci2geodetic(x, y, z, t: datetime, ell: Ellipsoid = ELL, *, deg: bool = True) -> tuple:
     """
     convert Earth Centered Internal ECI to geodetic coordinates
 
@@ -448,7 +444,7 @@ def eci2geodetic(x, y, z, t: datetime, ell: Ellipsoid = None, *, deg: bool = Tru
     return ecef2geodetic(xecef, yecef, zecef, ell, deg)
 
 
-def geodetic2eci(lat, lon, alt, t: datetime, ell: Ellipsoid = None, *, deg: bool = True) -> tuple:
+def geodetic2eci(lat, lon, alt, t: datetime, ell: Ellipsoid = ELL, *, deg: bool = True) -> tuple:
     """
     convert geodetic coordinates to Earth Centered Internal ECI
 
@@ -496,7 +492,7 @@ def enu2ecef(
     lat0,
     lon0,
     h0,
-    ell: Ellipsoid = None,
+    ell: Ellipsoid = ELL,
     deg: bool = True,
 ) -> tuple:
     """
@@ -532,6 +528,7 @@ def enu2ecef(
     z
         target z ECEF coordinate (meters)
     """
+
     x0, y0, z0 = geodetic2ecef(lat0, lon0, h0, ell, deg=deg)
     dx, dy, dz = enu2uvw(e1, n1, u1, lat0, lon0, deg=deg)
 
diff --git a/src/pymap3d/ellipsoid.py b/src/pymap3d/ellipsoid.py
index fa0b9f6..72ea9a6 100644
--- a/src/pymap3d/ellipsoid.py
+++ b/src/pymap3d/ellipsoid.py
@@ -151,7 +151,7 @@ def __init__(
     }
 
     @classmethod
-    def from_name(cls, name: str) -> Ellipsoid | None:
+    def from_name(cls, name: str) -> Ellipsoid:
         """Create an Ellipsoid from a name."""
 
         return cls(
diff --git a/src/pymap3d/enu.py b/src/pymap3d/enu.py
index c445ad2..1e90086 100644
--- a/src/pymap3d/enu.py
+++ b/src/pymap3d/enu.py
@@ -14,6 +14,8 @@
 
 __all__ = ["enu2aer", "aer2enu", "enu2geodetic", "geodetic2enu"]
 
+ELL = Ellipsoid.from_name("wgs84")
+
 
 def enu2aer(e, n, u, deg: bool = True) -> tuple:
     """
@@ -115,7 +117,7 @@ def enu2geodetic(
     lat0,
     lon0,
     h0,
-    ell: Ellipsoid = None,
+    ell: Ellipsoid = ELL,
     deg: bool = True,
 ) -> tuple:
     """
@@ -163,7 +165,7 @@ def geodetic2enu(
     lat0,
     lon0,
     h0,
-    ell: Ellipsoid = None,
+    ell: Ellipsoid = ELL,
     deg: bool = True,
 ) -> tuple:
     """
diff --git a/src/pymap3d/latitude.py b/src/pymap3d/latitude.py
index adb11cc..e58658a 100644
--- a/src/pymap3d/latitude.py
+++ b/src/pymap3d/latitude.py
@@ -22,8 +22,8 @@
     sqrt,
     tan,
 )
-from .utils import sanitize
 
+ELL = Ellipsoid.from_name("wgs84")
 COS_EPS = 1e-9  # tolerance for angles near abs([90, 270])
 
 __all__ = [
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@
 def geoc2geod(
     geocentric_lat,
     geocentric_distance,
-    ell: Ellipsoid = None,
+    ell: Ellipsoid = ELL,
     deg: bool = True,
 ):
     """
@@ -78,7 +78,9 @@ def geoc2geod(
         and Geodetic Coordinates. Celestial Mechanics (12), 2, p. 225-230 (1975)
         doi: 10.1007/BF01230214"
     """
-    geocentric_lat, ell = sanitize(geocentric_lat, ell, deg)
+
+    if deg:
+        geocentric_lat = radians(geocentric_lat)
 
     r = geocentric_distance / ell.semimajor_axis
 
@@ -91,7 +93,7 @@ def geoc2geod(
     return degrees(geodetic_lat) if deg else geodetic_lat
 
 
-def geodetic2geocentric(geodetic_lat, alt_m, ell: Ellipsoid = None, deg: bool = True):
+def geodetic2geocentric(geodetic_lat, alt_m, ell: Ellipsoid = ELL, deg: bool = True):
     """
     convert geodetic latitude to geocentric latitude on spheroid surface
 
@@ -120,7 +122,10 @@ def geodetic2geocentric(geodetic_lat, alt_m, ell: Ellipsoid = None, deg: bool =
     US Geological Survey Professional Paper 1395, US Government Printing
     Office, Washington, DC, 1987, pp. 13-18.
     """
-    geodetic_lat, ell = sanitize(geodetic_lat, ell, deg)
+
+    if deg:
+        geodetic_lat = radians(geodetic_lat)
+
     r = rcurve.transverse(geodetic_lat, ell, deg=False)
     geocentric_lat = atan((1 - ell.eccentricity**2 * (r / (r + alt_m))) * tan(geodetic_lat))
 
@@ -130,7 +135,7 @@ def geodetic2geocentric(geodetic_lat, alt_m, ell: Ellipsoid = None, deg: bool =
 geod2geoc = geodetic2geocentric
 
 
-def geocentric2geodetic(geocentric_lat, alt_m, ell: Ellipsoid = None, deg: bool = True):
+def geocentric2geodetic(geocentric_lat, alt_m, ell: Ellipsoid = ELL, deg: bool = True):
     """
     converts from geocentric latitude to geodetic latitude
 
@@ -159,14 +164,17 @@ def geocentric2geodetic(geocentric_lat, alt_m, ell: Ellipsoid = None, deg: bool
     US Geological Survey Professional Paper 1395, US Government Printing
     Office, Washington, DC, 1987, pp. 13-18.
     """
-    geocentric_lat, ell = sanitize(geocentric_lat, ell, deg)
+
+    if deg:
+        geocentric_lat = radians(geocentric_lat)
+
     r = rcurve.transverse(geocentric_lat, ell, deg=False)
     geodetic_lat = atan(tan(geocentric_lat) / (1 - ell.eccentricity**2 * (r / (r + alt_m))))
 
     return degrees(geodetic_lat) if deg else geodetic_lat
 
 
-def geodetic2isometric(geodetic_lat, ell: Ellipsoid = None, deg: bool = True):
+def geodetic2isometric(geodetic_lat, ell: Ellipsoid = ELL, deg: bool = True):
     """
     computes isometric latitude on an ellipsoid
 
@@ -196,7 +204,8 @@ def geodetic2isometric(geodetic_lat, ell: Ellipsoid = None, deg: bool = True):
     January 2010
     """
 
-    geodetic_lat, ell = sanitize(geodetic_lat, ell, deg)
+    if deg:
+        geodetic_lat = radians(geodetic_lat)
 
     e = ell.eccentricity
 
@@ -226,7 +235,7 @@ def geodetic2isometric(geodetic_lat, ell: Ellipsoid = None, deg: bool = True):
         return isometric_lat
 
 
-def isometric2geodetic(isometric_lat, ell: Ellipsoid = None, deg: bool = True):
+def isometric2geodetic(isometric_lat, ell: Ellipsoid = ELL, deg: bool = True):
     """
     converts from isometric latitude to geodetic latitude
 
@@ -252,7 +261,7 @@ def isometric2geodetic(isometric_lat, ell: Ellipsoid = None, deg: bool = True):
     US Geological Survey Professional Paper 1395, US Government Printing
     Office, Washington, DC, 1987, pp. 13-18.
     """
-    # NOT sanitize for isometric2geo
+
     if deg:
         isometric_lat = radians(isometric_lat)
 
@@ -262,7 +271,7 @@ def isometric2geodetic(isometric_lat, ell: Ellipsoid = None, deg: bool = True):
     return degrees(geodetic_lat) if deg else geodetic_lat
 
 
-def conformal2geodetic(conformal_lat, ell: Ellipsoid = None, deg: bool = True):
+def conformal2geodetic(conformal_lat, ell: Ellipsoid = ELL, deg: bool = True):
     """
     converts from conformal latitude to geodetic latitude
 
@@ -288,7 +297,9 @@ def conformal2geodetic(conformal_lat, ell: Ellipsoid = None, deg: bool = True):
     US Geological Survey Professional Paper 1395, US Government Printing
     Office, Washington, DC, 1987, pp. 13-18.
     """
-    conformal_lat, ell = sanitize(conformal_lat, ell, deg)
+
+    if deg:
+        conformal_lat = radians(conformal_lat)
 
     e = ell.eccentricity
     f1 = e**2 / 2 + 5 * e**4 / 24 + e**6 / 12 + 13 * e**8 / 360
@@ -307,7 +318,7 @@ def conformal2geodetic(conformal_lat, ell: Ellipsoid = None, deg: bool = True):
     return degrees(geodetic_lat) if deg else geodetic_lat
 
 
-def geodetic2conformal(geodetic_lat, ell: Ellipsoid = None, deg: bool = True):
+def geodetic2conformal(geodetic_lat, ell: Ellipsoid = ELL, deg: bool = True):
     """
     converts from geodetic latitude to conformal latitude
 
@@ -335,7 +346,8 @@ def geodetic2conformal(geodetic_lat, ell: Ellipsoid = None, deg: bool = True):
 
     """
 
-    geodetic_lat, ell = sanitize(geodetic_lat, ell, deg)
+    if deg:
+        geodetic_lat = radians(geodetic_lat)
 
     e = ell.eccentricity
     f1 = 1 - e * sin(geodetic_lat)
@@ -355,7 +367,7 @@ def geodetic2conformal(geodetic_lat, ell: Ellipsoid = None, deg: bool = True):
 
 
 # %% rectifying
-def geodetic2rectifying(geodetic_lat, ell: Ellipsoid = None, deg: bool = True):
+def geodetic2rectifying(geodetic_lat, ell: Ellipsoid = ELL, deg: bool = True):
     """
     converts from geodetic latitude to rectifying latitude
 
@@ -382,7 +394,9 @@ def geodetic2rectifying(geodetic_lat, ell: Ellipsoid = None, deg: bool = True):
     Office, Washington, DC, 1987, pp. 13-18.
 
     """
-    geodetic_lat, ell = sanitize(geodetic_lat, ell, deg)
+
+    if deg:
+        geodetic_lat = radians(geodetic_lat)
 
     n = ell.thirdflattening
     f1 = 3 * n / 2 - 9 * n**3 / 16
@@ -401,7 +415,7 @@ def geodetic2rectifying(geodetic_lat, ell: Ellipsoid = None, deg: bool = True):
     return degrees(rectifying_lat) if deg else rectifying_lat
 
 
-def rectifying2geodetic(rectifying_lat, ell: Ellipsoid = None, deg: bool = True):
+def rectifying2geodetic(rectifying_lat, ell: Ellipsoid = ELL, deg: bool = True):
     """
     converts from rectifying latitude to geodetic latitude
 
@@ -427,7 +441,9 @@ def rectifying2geodetic(rectifying_lat, ell: Ellipsoid = None, deg: bool = True)
     US Geological Survey Professional Paper 1395, US Government Printing
     Office, Washington, DC, 1987, pp. 13-18.
     """
-    rectifying_lat, ell = sanitize(rectifying_lat, ell, deg)
+
+    if deg:
+        rectifying_lat = radians(rectifying_lat)
 
     n = ell.thirdflattening
     f1 = 3 * n / 2 - 27 * n**3 / 32
@@ -447,7 +463,7 @@ def rectifying2geodetic(rectifying_lat, ell: Ellipsoid = None, deg: bool = True)
 
 
 # %% authalic
-def geodetic2authalic(geodetic_lat, ell: Ellipsoid = None, deg: bool = True):
+def geodetic2authalic(geodetic_lat, ell: Ellipsoid = ELL, deg: bool = True):
     """
     converts from geodetic latitude to authalic latitude
 
@@ -474,7 +490,9 @@ def geodetic2authalic(geodetic_lat, ell: Ellipsoid = None, deg: bool = True):
     Office, Washington, DC, 1987, pp. 13-18.
 
     """
-    geodetic_lat, ell = sanitize(geodetic_lat, ell, deg)
+
+    if deg:
+        geodetic_lat = radians(geodetic_lat)
 
     e = ell.eccentricity
     f1 = e**2 / 3 + 31 * e**4 / 180 + 59 * e**6 / 560
@@ -491,7 +509,7 @@ def geodetic2authalic(geodetic_lat, ell: Ellipsoid = None, deg: bool = True):
     return degrees(authalic_lat) if deg else authalic_lat
 
 
-def authalic2geodetic(authalic_lat, ell: Ellipsoid = None, deg: bool = True):
+def authalic2geodetic(authalic_lat, ell: Ellipsoid = ELL, deg: bool = True):
     """
     converts from authalic latitude to geodetic latitude
 
@@ -517,7 +535,10 @@ def authalic2geodetic(authalic_lat, ell: Ellipsoid = None, deg: bool = True):
     US Geological Survey Professional Paper 1395, US Government Printing
     Office, Washington, DC, 1987, pp. 13-18.
     """
-    authalic_lat, ell = sanitize(authalic_lat, ell, deg)
+
+    if deg:
+        authalic_lat = radians(authalic_lat)
+
     e = ell.eccentricity
     f1 = e**2 / 3 + 31 * e**4 / 180 + 517 * e**6 / 5040
     f2 = 23 * e**4 / 360 + 251 * e**6 / 3780
@@ -534,7 +555,7 @@ def authalic2geodetic(authalic_lat, ell: Ellipsoid = None, deg: bool = True):
 
 
 # %% parametric
-def geodetic2parametric(geodetic_lat, ell: Ellipsoid = None, deg: bool = True):
+def geodetic2parametric(geodetic_lat, ell: Ellipsoid = ELL, deg: bool = True):
     """
     converts from geodetic latitude to parametric latitude
 
@@ -561,14 +582,16 @@ def geodetic2parametric(geodetic_lat, ell: Ellipsoid = None, deg: bool = True):
     Office, Washington, DC, 1987, pp. 13-18.
 
     """
-    geodetic_lat, ell = sanitize(geodetic_lat, ell, deg)
+
+    if deg:
+        geodetic_lat = radians(geodetic_lat)
 
     parametric_lat = atan(sqrt(1 - (ell.eccentricity) ** 2) * tan(geodetic_lat))
 
     return degrees(parametric_lat) if deg else parametric_lat
 
 
-def parametric2geodetic(parametric_lat, ell: Ellipsoid = None, deg: bool = True):
+def parametric2geodetic(parametric_lat, ell: Ellipsoid = ELL, deg: bool = True):
     """
     converts from parametric latitude to geodetic latitude
 
@@ -594,7 +617,9 @@ def parametric2geodetic(parametric_lat, ell: Ellipsoid = None, deg: bool = True)
     US Geological Survey Professional Paper 1395, US Government Printing
     Office, Washington, DC, 1987, pp. 13-18.
     """
-    parametric_lat, ell = sanitize(parametric_lat, ell, deg)
+
+    if deg:
+        parametric_lat = radians(parametric_lat)
 
     geodetic_lat = atan(tan(parametric_lat) / sqrt(1 - (ell.eccentricity) ** 2))
 
diff --git a/src/pymap3d/los.py b/src/pymap3d/los.py
index d4e05c7..46ba9cb 100644
--- a/src/pymap3d/los.py
+++ b/src/pymap3d/los.py
@@ -16,6 +16,8 @@
 
 __all__ = ["lookAtSpheroid"]
 
+ELL = Ellipsoid.from_name("wgs84")
+
 
 def lookAtSpheroid(
     lat0,
@@ -23,7 +25,7 @@ def lookAtSpheroid(
     h0,
     az,
     tilt,
-    ell: Ellipsoid = None,
+    ell: Ellipsoid = ELL,
     deg: bool = True,
 ) -> tuple:
     """
@@ -63,7 +65,7 @@ def lookAtSpheroid(
     """
 
     if ell is None:
-        ell = Ellipsoid.from_name("wgs84")
+        ell = ELL
 
     try:
         lat0 = asarray(lat0)
diff --git a/src/pymap3d/lox.py b/src/pymap3d/lox.py
index 2f578b1..6699d20 100644
--- a/src/pymap3d/lox.py
+++ b/src/pymap3d/lox.py
@@ -30,11 +30,11 @@
     "meanm",
 ]
 
-
+ELL = Ellipsoid.from_name("wgs84")
 COS_EPS = 1e-9
 
 
-def meridian_dist(lat, ell: Ellipsoid = None, deg: bool = True) -> float:
+def meridian_dist(lat, ell: Ellipsoid = ELL, deg: bool = True) -> float:
     """
     Computes the ground distance on an ellipsoid from the equator to the input latitude.
 
@@ -55,7 +55,7 @@ def meridian_dist(lat, ell: Ellipsoid = None, deg: bool = True) -> float:
     return meridian_arc(0.0, lat, ell, deg)
 
 
-def meridian_arc(lat1, lat2, ell: Ellipsoid = None, deg: bool = True) -> float:
+def meridian_arc(lat1, lat2, ell: Ellipsoid = ELL, deg: bool = True) -> float:
     """
     Computes the ground distance on an ellipsoid between two latitudes.
 
@@ -88,7 +88,7 @@ def loxodrome_inverse(
     lon1,
     lat2,
     lon2,
-    ell: Ellipsoid = None,
+    ell: Ellipsoid = ELL,
     deg: bool = True,
 ) -> tuple[float, float]:
     """
@@ -180,7 +180,7 @@ def loxodrome_direct(
     lon1,
     rng,
     a12,
-    ell: Ellipsoid = None,
+    ell: Ellipsoid = ELL,
     deg: bool = True,
 ) -> tuple:
     """
@@ -261,7 +261,7 @@ def loxodrome_direct(
         return lat2, lon2
 
 
-def departure(lon1, lon2, lat, ell: Ellipsoid = None, deg: bool = True) -> float:
+def departure(lon1, lon2, lat, ell: Ellipsoid = ELL, deg: bool = True) -> float:
     """
     Computes the distance along a specific parallel between two meridians.
 
@@ -289,7 +289,7 @@ def departure(lon1, lon2, lat, ell: Ellipsoid = None, deg: bool = True) -> float
     return rcurve.parallel(lat, ell=ell, deg=False) * (abs(lon2 - lon1) % pi)
 
 
-def meanm(lat, lon, ell: Ellipsoid = None, deg: bool = True) -> tuple:
+def meanm(lat, lon, ell: Ellipsoid = ELL, deg: bool = True) -> tuple:
     """
     Computes geographic mean for geographic points on an ellipsoid
 
diff --git a/src/pymap3d/ned.py b/src/pymap3d/ned.py
index c888576..7c90fef 100644
--- a/src/pymap3d/ned.py
+++ b/src/pymap3d/ned.py
@@ -6,6 +6,18 @@
 from .ellipsoid import Ellipsoid
 from .enu import aer2enu, enu2aer, geodetic2enu
 
+__all__ = [
+    "aer2ned",
+    "ned2aer",
+    "ned2geodetic",
+    "ned2ecef",
+    "ecef2ned",
+    "geodetic2ned",
+    "ecef2nedv",
+]
+
+ELL = Ellipsoid.from_name("wgs84")
+
 
 def aer2ned(az, elev, slantRange, deg: bool = True) -> tuple:
     """
@@ -73,7 +85,7 @@ def ned2geodetic(
     lat0,
     lon0,
     h0,
-    ell: Ellipsoid = None,
+    ell: Ellipsoid = ELL,
     deg: bool = True,
 ) -> tuple:
     """
@@ -122,7 +134,7 @@ def ned2ecef(
     lat0,
     lon0,
     h0,
-    ell: Ellipsoid = None,
+    ell: Ellipsoid = ELL,
     deg: bool = True,
 ) -> tuple:
     """
@@ -168,7 +180,7 @@ def ecef2ned(
     lat0,
     lon0,
     h0,
-    ell: Ellipsoid = None,
+    ell: Ellipsoid = ELL,
     deg: bool = True,
 ) -> tuple:
     """
@@ -217,7 +229,7 @@ def geodetic2ned(
     lat0,
     lon0,
     h0,
-    ell: Ellipsoid = None,
+    ell: Ellipsoid = ELL,
     deg: bool = True,
 ) -> tuple:
     """
diff --git a/src/pymap3d/rcurve.py b/src/pymap3d/rcurve.py
index d3ec1cd..bb62f1a 100644
--- a/src/pymap3d/rcurve.py
+++ b/src/pymap3d/rcurve.py
@@ -3,19 +3,22 @@
 from __future__ import annotations
 
 from .ellipsoid import Ellipsoid
-from .mathfun import cos, sin, sqrt
-from .utils import sanitize
+from .mathfun import cos, sin, sqrt, radians
 
 __all__ = ["parallel", "meridian", "transverse", "geocentric_radius"]
 
+ELL = Ellipsoid.from_name("wgs84")
 
-def geocentric_radius(geodetic_lat, ell: Ellipsoid = None, deg: bool = True):
+
+def geocentric_radius(geodetic_lat, ell: Ellipsoid = ELL, deg: bool = True):
     """
     compute geocentric radius at geodetic latitude
 
     https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earth_radius#Geocentric_radius
     """
-    geodetic_lat, ell = sanitize(geodetic_lat, ell, deg)
+
+    if deg:
+        geodetic_lat = radians(geodetic_lat)
 
     return sqrt(
         (
@@ -29,7 +32,7 @@ def geocentric_radius(geodetic_lat, ell: Ellipsoid = None, deg: bool = True):
     )
 
 
-def parallel(lat, ell: Ellipsoid = None, deg: bool = True) -> float:
+def parallel(lat, ell: Ellipsoid = ELL, deg: bool = True) -> float:
     """
     computes the radius of the small circle encompassing the globe at the specified latitude
 
@@ -50,12 +53,13 @@ def parallel(lat, ell: Ellipsoid = None, deg: bool = True) -> float:
         radius of ellipsoid (meters)
     """
 
-    lat, ell = sanitize(lat, ell, deg)
+    if deg:
+        lat = radians(lat)
 
     return cos(lat) * transverse(lat, ell, deg=False)
 
 
-def meridian(lat, ell: Ellipsoid = None, deg: bool = True):
+def meridian(lat, ell: Ellipsoid = ELL, deg: bool = True):
     """computes the meridional radius of curvature for the ellipsoid
 
     like Matlab rcurve('meridian', ...)
@@ -75,14 +79,15 @@ def meridian(lat, ell: Ellipsoid = None, deg: bool = True):
         radius of ellipsoid
     """
 
-    lat, ell = sanitize(lat, ell, deg)
+    if deg:
+        lat = radians(lat)
 
     f1 = ell.semimajor_axis * (1 - ell.eccentricity**2)
     f2 = 1 - (ell.eccentricity * sin(lat)) ** 2
     return f1 / sqrt(f2**3)
 
 
-def transverse(lat, ell: Ellipsoid = None, deg: bool = True):
+def transverse(lat, ell: Ellipsoid = ELL, deg: bool = True):
     """computes the radius of the curve formed by a plane
     intersecting the ellipsoid at the latitude which is
     normal to the surface of the ellipsoid
@@ -104,6 +109,7 @@ def transverse(lat, ell: Ellipsoid = None, deg: bool = True):
         radius of ellipsoid (meters)
     """
 
-    lat, ell = sanitize(lat, ell, deg)
+    if deg:
+        lat = radians(lat)
 
     return ell.semimajor_axis / sqrt(1 - (ell.eccentricity * sin(lat)) ** 2)
diff --git a/src/pymap3d/rsphere.py b/src/pymap3d/rsphere.py
index 3f610c3..00424df 100644
--- a/src/pymap3d/rsphere.py
+++ b/src/pymap3d/rsphere.py
@@ -22,8 +22,10 @@
     "biaxial",
 ]
 
+ELL = Ellipsoid.from_name("wgs84")
 
-def eqavol(ell: Ellipsoid = None) -> float:
+
+def eqavol(ell: Ellipsoid = ELL) -> float:
     """computes the radius of the sphere with equal volume as the ellipsoid
 
     Parameters
@@ -36,15 +38,13 @@ def eqavol(ell: Ellipsoid = None) -> float:
     radius: float
         radius of sphere
     """
-    if ell is None:
-        ell = Ellipsoid.from_name("wgs84")
 
     f = ell.flattening
 
     return ell.semimajor_axis * (1 - f / 3 - f**2 / 9)
 
 
-def authalic(ell: Ellipsoid = None) -> float:
+def authalic(ell: Ellipsoid = ELL) -> float:
     """computes the radius of the sphere with equal surface area as the ellipsoid
 
     Parameters
@@ -57,8 +57,6 @@ def authalic(ell: Ellipsoid = None) -> float:
     radius: float
         radius of sphere
     """
-    if ell is None:
-        ell = Ellipsoid.from_name("wgs84")
 
     e = ell.eccentricity
 
@@ -71,7 +69,7 @@ def authalic(ell: Ellipsoid = None) -> float:
         return ell.semimajor_axis
 
 
-def rectifying(ell: Ellipsoid = None) -> float:
+def rectifying(ell: Ellipsoid = ELL) -> float:
     """computes the radius of the sphere with equal meridional distances as the ellipsoid
 
     Parameters
@@ -84,8 +82,7 @@ def rectifying(ell: Ellipsoid = None) -> float:
     radius: float
         radius of sphere
     """
-    if ell is None:
-        ell = Ellipsoid.from_name("wgs84")
+
     return ((ell.semimajor_axis ** (3 / 2) + ell.semiminor_axis ** (3 / 2)) / 2) ** (2 / 3)
 
 
@@ -94,7 +91,7 @@ def euler(
     lon1,
     lat2,
     lon2,
-    ell: Ellipsoid = None,
+    ell: Ellipsoid = ELL,
     deg: bool = True,
 ):
     """computes the Euler radii of curvature at the midpoint of the
@@ -140,7 +137,7 @@ def euler(
     return rho * nu / den
 
 
-def curve(lat, ell: Ellipsoid = None, deg: bool = True, method: str = "mean"):
+def curve(lat, ell: Ellipsoid = ELL, deg: bool = True, method: str = "mean"):
     """computes the arithmetic average of the transverse and meridional
     radii of curvature at a specified latitude point
 
@@ -175,7 +172,7 @@ def curve(lat, ell: Ellipsoid = None, deg: bool = True, method: str = "mean"):
         raise ValueError("method must be mean or norm")
 
 
-def triaxial(ell: Ellipsoid = None, method: str = "mean") -> float:
+def triaxial(ell: Ellipsoid = ELL, method: str = "mean") -> float:
     """computes triaxial average of the semimajor and semiminor axes of the ellipsoid
 
     Parameters
@@ -191,9 +188,6 @@ def triaxial(ell: Ellipsoid = None, method: str = "mean") -> float:
         radius of sphere
     """
 
-    if ell is None:
-        ell = Ellipsoid.from_name("wgs84")
-
     if method == "mean":
         return (2 * ell.semimajor_axis + ell.semiminor_axis) / 3
     elif method == "norm":
@@ -202,7 +196,7 @@ def triaxial(ell: Ellipsoid = None, method: str = "mean") -> float:
         raise ValueError("method must be mean or norm")
 
 
-def biaxial(ell: Ellipsoid = None, method: str = "mean") -> float:
+def biaxial(ell: Ellipsoid = ELL, method: str = "mean") -> float:
     """computes biaxial average of the semimajor and semiminor axes of the ellipsoid
 
     Parameters
@@ -218,9 +212,6 @@ def biaxial(ell: Ellipsoid = None, method: str = "mean") -> float:
         radius of sphere
     """
 
-    if ell is None:
-        ell = Ellipsoid.from_name("wgs84")
-
     if method == "mean":
         return (ell.semimajor_axis + ell.semiminor_axis) / 2
     elif method == "norm":
diff --git a/src/pymap3d/spherical.py b/src/pymap3d/spherical.py
index f6662c0..ecfc4ed 100644
--- a/src/pymap3d/spherical.py
+++ b/src/pymap3d/spherical.py
@@ -7,19 +7,20 @@
 
 from .ellipsoid import Ellipsoid
 from .mathfun import asin, atan2, cbrt, degrees, hypot, power, radians, sin, sqrt
-from .utils import sanitize
 
 __all__ = [
     "geodetic2spherical",
     "spherical2geodetic",
 ]
 
+ELL = Ellipsoid.from_name("wgs84")
+
 
 def geodetic2spherical(
     lat,
     lon,
     alt,
-    ell: Ellipsoid = None,
+    ell: Ellipsoid = ELL,
     deg: bool = True,
 ) -> tuple:
     """
@@ -58,8 +59,9 @@ def geodetic2spherical(
     geodetic coordinates. Journal of Geodesy. 76. 451-454.
     doi:10.1007/s00190-002-0273-6
     """
-    lat, ell = sanitize(lat, ell, deg)
+
     if deg:
+        lat = radians(lat)
         lon = radians(lon)
 
     # Pre-compute to avoid repeated trigonometric functions
@@ -90,7 +92,7 @@ def spherical2geodetic(
     lat,
     lon,
     radius,
-    ell: Ellipsoid = None,
+    ell: Ellipsoid = ELL,
     deg: bool = True,
 ) -> tuple:
     """
@@ -124,8 +126,9 @@ def spherical2geodetic(
     geodetic coordinates. Journal of Geodesy. 76. 451-454.
     doi:10.1007/s00190-002-0273-6
     """
-    lat, ell = sanitize(lat, ell, deg)
+
     if deg:
+        lat = radians(lat)
         lon = radians(lon)
 
     # Pre-compute to avoid repeated trigonometric functions
diff --git a/src/pymap3d/tests/test_geodetic.py b/src/pymap3d/tests/test_geodetic.py
index 4b9e456..38dc574 100755
--- a/src/pymap3d/tests/test_geodetic.py
+++ b/src/pymap3d/tests/test_geodetic.py
@@ -185,9 +185,6 @@ def test_ecef():
     assert y == approx(xyz[1])
     assert z == approx(xyz[2])
 
-    with pytest.raises(ValueError):
-        pm.geodetic2ecef(-100, lla0[1], lla0[2])
-
     assert pm.ecef2geodetic(*xyz) == approx(lla0)
     assert pm.ecef2geodetic(*xyz, deg=False) == approx(rlla0)
 
diff --git a/src/pymap3d/tests/test_latitude.py b/src/pymap3d/tests/test_latitude.py
index fc6e502..058c8b4 100644
--- a/src/pymap3d/tests/test_latitude.py
+++ b/src/pymap3d/tests/test_latitude.py
@@ -167,28 +167,3 @@ def test_numpy_geodetic_parametric():
     pytest.importorskip("numpy")
     assert latitude.geodetic2parametric([45, 0]) == approx([44.9037878, 0])
     assert latitude.parametric2geodetic([44.9037878, 0]) == approx([45, 0])
-
-
-@pytest.mark.parametrize("lat", [91, -91])
-def test_badvals(lat):
-    # geodetic_isometric is not included on purpose
-    with pytest.raises(ValueError):
-        latitude.geodetic2geocentric(lat, 0)
-    with pytest.raises(ValueError):
-        latitude.geocentric2geodetic(lat, 0)
-    with pytest.raises(ValueError):
-        latitude.geodetic2conformal(lat)
-    with pytest.raises(ValueError):
-        latitude.conformal2geodetic(lat)
-    with pytest.raises(ValueError):
-        latitude.geodetic2rectifying(lat)
-    with pytest.raises(ValueError):
-        latitude.rectifying2geodetic(lat)
-    with pytest.raises(ValueError):
-        latitude.geodetic2authalic(lat)
-    with pytest.raises(ValueError):
-        latitude.authalic2geodetic(lat)
-    with pytest.raises(ValueError):
-        latitude.geodetic2parametric(lat)
-    with pytest.raises(ValueError):
-        latitude.parametric2geodetic(lat)
diff --git a/src/pymap3d/tests/test_rsphere.py b/src/pymap3d/tests/test_rsphere.py
index 2ad4b62..461b56e 100644
--- a/src/pymap3d/tests/test_rsphere.py
+++ b/src/pymap3d/tests/test_rsphere.py
@@ -15,12 +15,6 @@ def test_geocentric_radius():
     assert rcurve.geocentric_radius(30) == approx(6372824.0)
 
 
-@pytest.mark.parametrize("bad_lat", [-91, 91])
-def test_geocentric_radius_badval(bad_lat):
-    with pytest.raises(ValueError):
-        rcurve.geocentric_radius(bad_lat)
-
-
 def test_rsphere_eqavol():
     assert rsphere.eqavol() == approx(6371000.8049)
 
diff --git a/src/pymap3d/utils.py b/src/pymap3d/utils.py
index b70c4e3..334cef2 100644
--- a/src/pymap3d/utils.py
+++ b/src/pymap3d/utils.py
@@ -4,15 +4,7 @@
 
 from __future__ import annotations
 
-from math import pi
-
-try:
-    from numpy import asarray
-except ImportError:
-    pass
-
-from .ellipsoid import Ellipsoid
-from .mathfun import atan2, cos, hypot, radians, sin
+from .mathfun import atan2, cos, hypot, sin
 
 __all__ = ["cart2pol", "pol2cart", "cart2sph", "sph2cart"]
 
@@ -43,25 +35,3 @@ def sph2cart(az, el, r) -> tuple:
     y = rcos_theta * sin(az)
     z = r * sin(el)
     return x, y, z
-
-
-def sanitize(lat, ell: Ellipsoid | None, deg: bool) -> tuple:
-    if ell is None:
-        ell = Ellipsoid.from_name("wgs84")
-
-    try:
-        lat = asarray(lat)
-    except NameError:
-        pass
-
-    if deg:
-        lat = radians(lat)
-
-    try:
-        if (abs(lat) > pi / 2).any():
-            raise ValueError("-pi/2 <= latitude <= pi/2")
-    except AttributeError:
-        if abs(lat) > pi / 2:
-            raise ValueError("-pi/2 <= latitude <= pi/2")
-
-    return lat, ell
diff --git a/src/pymap3d/vincenty.py b/src/pymap3d/vincenty.py
index 15b76f2..d4b8fd1 100644
--- a/src/pymap3d/vincenty.py
+++ b/src/pymap3d/vincenty.py
@@ -33,8 +33,10 @@
 
 __all__ = ["vdist", "vreckon", "track2"]
 
+ELL = Ellipsoid.from_name("wgs84")
 
-def vdist(Lat1, Lon1, Lat2, Lon2, ell: Ellipsoid = None, deg: bool = True) -> tuple:
+
+def vdist(Lat1, Lon1, Lat2, Lon2, ell: Ellipsoid = ELL, deg: bool = True) -> tuple:
     """
     Using the reference ellipsoid, compute the distance between two points
     within a few millimeters of accuracy, compute forward azimuth,
@@ -106,9 +108,6 @@ def vdist(Lat1, Lon1, Lat2, Lon2, ell: Ellipsoid = None, deg: bool = True) -> tu
      12. No warranties; use at your own risk.
     """
 
-    if ell is None:
-        ell = Ellipsoid.from_name("wgs84")
-
     # %% Input check:
     try:
         Lat1 = atleast_1d(Lat1)
@@ -284,7 +283,7 @@ def vdist(Lat1, Lon1, Lat2, Lon2, ell: Ellipsoid = None, deg: bool = True) -> tu
         return dist_m, a12
 
 
-def vreckon(Lat1, Lon1, Rng, Azim, ell: Ellipsoid = None, deg: bool = True) -> tuple:
+def vreckon(Lat1, Lon1, Rng, Azim, ell: Ellipsoid = ELL, deg: bool = True) -> tuple:
     """
     This is the Vincenty "forward" solution.
 
@@ -355,14 +354,9 @@ def vreckon(Lat1, Lon1, Rng, Azim, ell: Ellipsoid = None, deg: bool = True) -> t
         if Rng < 0.0:
             raise ValueError("Ground distance must be positive")
 
-    if ell is not None:
-        a = ell.semimajor_axis
-        b = ell.semiminor_axis
-        f = ell.flattening
-    else:  # Supply WGS84 earth ellipsoid axis lengths in meters:
-        a = 6378137  # semimajor axis
-        b = 6356752.31424518  # WGS84 earth flattening coefficient definition
-        f = (a - b) / a
+    a = ell.semimajor_axis
+    b = ell.semiminor_axis
+    f = ell.flattening
 
     if deg:
         Lat1 = radians(Lat1)  # intial latitude in radians
@@ -480,7 +474,7 @@ def track2(
     lon1,
     lat2,
     lon2,
-    ell: Ellipsoid = None,
+    ell: Ellipsoid = ELL,
     npts: int = 100,
     deg: bool = True,
 ) -> tuple[list, list]:
@@ -516,9 +510,6 @@ def track2(
     Based on code posted to the GMT mailing list in Dec 1999 by Jim Levens and by Jeff Whitaker <jeffrey.s.whitaker@noaa.gov>
     """
 
-    if ell is None:
-        ell = Ellipsoid.from_name("wgs84")
-
     if npts < 2:
         raise ValueError("npts must be greater than 1")
     if npts == 2: