Anybody know of any new over-the counter units that have become more surveyor friendly. See some newer ones that have larger screens. Any display in feet? Any developments in accuracy? Wifes looking for something to buy me for Christmas and a Mustang Super Snake is out of the question.
The GPS doesn't exist so her only option is the Mustang.:hi5:
Accuracy improvements? Probably not, although Garmins now see and use Glonass. Not L1, though, so cycle slips and the other characteristics of a consumer-grade receiver are still there. You can specify feet as the units in all of them, as far as I know.
Here's a link to the user manual for a DeLorme PN-40 unit. It seems to have a nice display, can hold an SD card, and can store a variety of maps, etc.
http://files.delorme.com/Manuals/PNSeriesManual.pdf
Merry Christmas.
I am doing the exact same thing you are. I my area GLONASS is a huge help, so I am zeroing in on receivers with that capability. Garmin GPS Map 64 is the way I am leaning now. The PN-40 listed looks like a nice unit, but I don't see the GLONASS option.
Anyone using a nice unit for recon?
We have a Garmin Oregon 550T and a Trimble Juno SA, as far as usability for survey purposes i preferred the Juno. The way we use them is we overlay the deed on a aerial that somewhat fits the surroundings then export a .dxf file. It seems to work better with the Juno because we can keep the corner descriptions as well as the bearing and distances in that file. In the Garmin I can not figure out how to keep all of the text in the file. As well as do not find the Garmin Base Camp as user friendly as terrasync. Basically the only thing that I like better on the Garmin is the lock screen button on the side. As far as accuracy goes we have held them side by side and they are about the same.
I have a Garmin GPSmap 60CSx and a DeLorme Eathmate PN-40. Both water resistant and rechargeable.
Both are loaded with local topo zone maps similar to a USGS topo map.
Each has unique features that are easier to use on one than on the other and both are great for recon work.
I've been able to flag a recon thousands of feet of line thru deep woods with both that was later used to follow for random traverse with TS and was surprisingly straight and way faster and able to implement by using a compass.
I like being able to pick a point from google earth and enter into either unit, drive out there, get on my ATV and maneuver to that very spot.
My selling statement on them is that they will take me to the end of my trot line in the middle of night during a thunderstorm.
Only a few more days left in the year. I, and I SIR, ill be ordering here pretty quick. Any last minute ideas?
I have an older Magellan Meridian. It is the very basic green model. I like it because I can put in a user grid in and put state plane coordinates in US feet,and It is pretty useful for finding old traverse points, property corners for recon,etc.
It's an older unit, but I would find one that you can put in coordinates in a user defined coordinate system.
