I work for an agency with a central IT Group. We are proposing to do some field data collection for insertion into a GIS. The IT group is suggesting that they set us up with an I Pad for data collection using the GPS capability of the I Pad to obtain geodetic location data. Does anyone have experience doing this and what degree of accuracy, (precision)and repeatibility could I expect from this hardware setup?
Depends what kind of accuracy you're looking to achieve. It could be off as much as 50'. My iPhone routinely puts my location across the street.
We tried doing the same thing with Trimble TerraFlex. You have to take your time and allow the system to zero in on your position, but the accuracy still is about 10'. Personally, I believe that GIS causes more problems than it cures. Sometime in the future, your GIS data will be relied upon as surveyed information and a can of worms will be opened by the idiot that relies on that data for a quantity take-off or boundary location.
My $0.02
Good luck!
If you want survey grade quality you need a survey grade GPS unit, its really just that simple.
Guys I am a surveyor and I am looking for real world expereience with this setup so I can advise others if the IT proposed solution will serve their needs.
Well in that case I have used an IPad with Google Earth before, in an open field I could get within ten to 15 feet of the point. Good enough to get me close to look for a corner. This was a corner I have survey in before and had coordinates on.
Hi Brian, Check With Dave Smith
Dave was very active in GIS and is a surveyor. My understanding is he is very deep into GIS these days. I do not have a current address for him.
Google "David G Smith, PLS" and you can get to his blog. Dave is now in the Washington, DC area.
Paul in PA
I have no experience with using I-pad to collect GIS data. I DO however, have experience collecting GIS data.
What type of data are you going to collect?
Does your company expect the need to perhaps expand their data collection to include other data that may require a higher accuracy?
What is the driving force behind wanting to use the I-Pad?
Is this data being collected for your company to use, or is it a contract that is for another company/agency?
> ... Does anyone have experience doing this and what degree of accuracy, (precision)and repeatibility could I expect from this hardware setup?
I use a little free app named "Map My Run" to track myself when I escape go out for a walk at lunch time. As I walk the local sidewalks it puts a little tracer line following my route. If you went by this line alone you would think that I was reeling from one side of the street to another, looping back on myself like a drunken hummingbird. Try it, I think it will give you a really good and graphic idea of how precise the positions of an autonomous ipad will be.
As James Flemings link shows, there are plenty of good ipad controlled GIS solutions, just not Ipad alone.
Call your local Carlson rep and ask about their new product called "GIS360". They gave out free copies on an inexpensive 7" android tablet at the User's conference. It seems pretty straight forward. I think it may be what you need.
