Good morning Everyone,
This topic has been covered before but I cant find much newer than 2011.
I'm looking to buy a handled gps for work and I'm not sure what to buy. My current gps is a Garmin Legend but it takes forever to acquire satellites and entering coordinates is a pain. So what is everyone out there using and what features do you use the most for recon? Are there any units that allow you to enter SP coordinates without setting up a user defined system? Do any of the newer units use GLONASS? Is it easy to upload/download coordinates? Is there anything else I should be looking for?
Gregg
To solve your coordinate entry pains, download the software here:
http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/mis/gis/tools/arcview/extensions/DNRGarmin/DNRGarmin.html
All of the new Garmins access GLONASS. State Plane is problematic.
Do you have a data collector now that can connect to GPS? If so, an easy, painless solution would be a small bluetooth unit. I personally use a Qstarz 818 bluetoothed to a Getac 236 running Field Genius. The DC sees the Qstarz as just another rover and you can collect points as you would if using a RTK or network rover. Its only about 2" x 1.5" by about a half inch thick so I velco the receiver to the brim of may cap. I used it last Saturday (set on AutoRecord every 5 seconds) to map (with an ATV) about 2 miles of logging roads for an upcoming project. Knowing where those roads/trails are certainly helps with planning the project.
If your DC works in state plane now, you will be collecting in state plane. As I said, painless! 🙂
If you're close to needing a new data collector, some now have a navigation GPS built in to them. I know Trimble's TSC3 does, as does the Topcon Tesla. Leica's CS15 will have it soon according to the reps I met with last week.
Thanks MT. That link looks pretty cool. I will definitely check it out.
I though about adding gps to our current DC (a TSC2) but I would rather not have to carry that while doing recon. I didn't know there were bluetooth modules like you mentioned though. Thanks.
I'm hoping to find a good handheld that does what I want for around $500.
Gregg
If you have a smartphone, you might look at some aps for it.
> If you have a smartphone, you might look at some aps for it.
How much would you pay for a smartphone app provided stakeout data to entered state plane coordinates? I ask because I have a family member who is capable of writing such an app, if I can convince him that it would be marketable. He already knows that surveyors are amongst the tightest of tightwads.
[sarcasm]I spent hundreds of dollars on an iPhone but I'll be damned if I'll pay more than $0.99 for an app!! [/sarcasm](Except for i41CX, which is by far the coolest app available)
> I have a family member who is capable of writing such an app, if I can convince him that it would be marketable. He already knows that surveyors are amongst the tightest of tightwads.
How does he know that?...From his dealing with a family member? 😉
> How does he know that?...From his dealing with a family member? 😉
He grew up with one in the house.
> .. but I would rather not have to carry that while doing recon.
The Qstarz unit I mentioned has a smaller footprint than a business card and is a little over a half inch thick. I velcro mine to he bill on a baseball cap. They sell for $40 - $70 on ebay. Could you email me and I'll share more details.
Dave