Hello everyone, I want to buy a handheld GPS and I need advice on which brand or model is best out there that I can use for Reconnaissance surveyand also use to accurately locate a point. Thanks
What precision do you require?
What precision do you require?
Yeah, this is going to determine whether you need a $200-300 unit or a $3000-5000 unit...
In my part of the world, recon surveys are not super accurate, most recreational-grade receivers will work. The idea is to get the field crews close enough to easily see the point of interest when they get boots on the ground.
If you just need to get within a few metres, the Garmin GPSMap 276Cx was pretty good.?ÿ The 296 and older 276 were also pretty good.
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I have had good luck w/ GPS Essentials on Android.
https://www.gpsessentials.com/
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If you need higher precision, I have used both of these:
Polaris GNSS (fiddly, but it works; also have the option of Android Field Genius for a good add-in price):
https://www.polaris-gnss.com/home
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Emlid RS2 (works quite well in the free Android app and works well w/ SurvCE 5 as a Generic NMEA device once you set up the L1 and L2)
https://emlid.com/reachrs2plus/
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The RS+ looks decent for recon (ie. L1 only), but when you are spending that much I would just get one of the better ones.?ÿ I'm kinda pumped for the RX but I have not personally tried it yet.?ÿ I am waiting more on user reviews and checking out its full specs when I have time.
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CAVEAT:
My experience has largely been with NAD83(86) and NAD83CSRS in MTM and UTM projections (ie. fairly standard up here in Canuckistan).?ÿ I cannot comment on how they work on a state plane level from personal experience.?ÿ Please keep that in mind.
I've used older Garmins and they didn't come with state plane options but did have UTM meters. One had a custom projection that could do a Transverse Mercator but not Lambert.?ÿ The other did TM and also claimed Lambert but the original software version didn't let me set a factor to make it really work in SPC.?ÿ So if you want something other than lat-lon you need to read the specs carefully.
My biggest issues with handheld for wood recon is that it is such a RITA to inter search coordinates - and transfer to the unit.?ÿ If someone could make something to just upload like the DC I would buy in a heartbeat.?ÿ
There are 3rd party and semi free privateer programs around for loading lists of coordinates into handhelds such as Garmin. One that I have used for many years goes by the name of "GPS Utility" and "GPSU File Converter".
Garmin does (or did) have its own software for talking to a handheld, like Basecamp.
Garmin does (or did) have its own software for talking to a handheld, like Basecamp.
Basecamp is pretty good, especially considering the price.?ÿ I have a Garmin eTrex 20 that I use occasionally for recon, and Basecamp makes it pretty easy to get lat/long coordinates into the eTrex.?ÿ Dealing with SPC is more cumbersome, I use NGS software to convert from SPC to lat/long, then a custom application to get those into KML, which Basecamp can read.
We "grew-up" using Garmin handhelds for recon and survey, don't use them much now that we have RTK, but I'm fairly sure that both Basecamp, and most of the handhelds have the ability to enter a user defined grid and datum.
The latest Garmin we bought was a 64s, which is GPS + GLONASS, and can take user defined.
While your mileage may vary depending on your counties gis database accuracy, hunt onx works very well for me in my county. Way easier/faster than transforming coords and entering them. This is assuming the corners you want are in the counties database.
@james-vianna that reminds me, I pay $9.99 per month for the LandGlide app on my phone. ?ÿLike so many tv streaming services now, it does not get used every month, but I keep paying anyway. ?ÿSo for the once a year when it is used the $120 annual cost is well worth it.
Blue Marble has a nice software that fits this.
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If you have a Trimble Controller?ÿ
There is no need for a handheld gps
You can just use use the controller's internal gps for reconnaissance.
Get the point(s) you want on the controller, select it, and go 'Navigate to point'
You don't need to be connected to a basestation; you don't need to have your survey-grade receiver on
And it handles most of the projection and coordinate system issues (no site calibration though)
I'm in the practice of carrying a Garmin InReach device.?ÿ Mostly for safety and remote communications but it works well as a handheld GNSS unit as well.?ÿ Bonus is that you can view maps on your smart phone when they are tethered.
TDC600, just used it to find a ROW monument and a control point. It got me within a couple of feet, best I ever had.?ÿ
?ÿ... a Garmin InReach device.?ÿ Mostly for safety and remote communications
They work, but they are blooming slow, especially once you get out of cellphone coverage, at least in my experience.
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But when you are working in the bush out of cellular coverage they are way better than carrier pigeon or smoke signals.?ÿ
For sure - but if it is your field assistant to whom you do most of your chatting, a pair of Yaesu handhelds works better.?ÿ
Wen I'm in the field I really don't want to be texting the office or clients
And for emergencies I would rather carry a genuine, non subscription based EPIRB
@jim.cox
More for long range communications.?ÿ I do a lot of remote work where it is good to check in with the office or connect with other crews out of radio range.?ÿ As an example, over the last couple of years I've been working on a dam removal project.?ÿ Four dams spread over 2 states and 4 townships of very remote and rugged mountains.?ÿ We did not even have cellular coverage at our camp (used sat based Wi-Fi calling from there).?ÿ Used the InReach to check in/out with the control center and they could actually reach us if needed (let's say in case of wildfires which are all too common).?ÿ Since we had several crews working is different parts of the project we would us them to communicate issues or changes in plans.?ÿ The office could also track us if needed.
As for speed, the InReach is much quicker that the Spot system.
Well worth the $25 a month for the piece of mind when I'm alone on a mountain top.