Free-GIS » gps

The Best GPS for Mapping

admin — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 03:49:44 +0000

If you are mapping as a professional then you need a very expensive GPS unit, but sometimes it is handy to have a just a regular consumer grade gps around. I have worked with numerous consumer gps units and have found that the one i find the most useful is a Garmin GPSMAP 60CSx. Here are some of the basic goodies:

High-sensitivity GPS receiver that gets better reception under canopy and in deep canyons
Barometric altimeter provides improved elevation data
Electronic compass allows you to find a bearing while you are standing still
IPX7 waterproof case lets you work in the rain and drop it in a puddle
Large, color TFT display for easy day and night viewing
Built-in Americas autoroute basemap, which gives you the basic layout of the major roads in the area
Built-In Waypoint averaging, which allows you to get a more accurate waypoint position
Good Battery life and field replaceable, AA batteries.
Ability to add an external antenna

These last three benefits are what i consider making this a very useful mapping gps. The ability to add a external antenna is very useful while driving, or for stashing you gps in your pack and still being able to track. This is great when used in conjuction with a digital camera, and being able to geotag the images. The waypoint averaging allows you to increase the positional accruacy by averaging thelocation instead of taking a one time reading as the waypoint location.

Setup a Garmin GPSmap60 for mapping

admin — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 05:53:02 +0000

If you are going to use your Garmin GPSmap60 as a mapping reciever, here is a quick tutorial on how to set it up so that you can get the most accuracy out of it. This tutorial is to set up your track log to record a postition once every second, some might think that this is to much but unless memory is an issue i try to alway collect all the data I can, at the best resolution possible. This way it might possibly save you a trip back out to the field because you already have the best data you can collect. OK to get on with it, First turn on your GPS unit and bring up the main menu.

Here you will select the Tracks icon, this will take you into the tracks access menu.

At the tracks menu page you can; turn tracking on/off, clear your track log, save it, trackback, and access the track setup screen, which is where we want to go.

Use the drop down menu to select the TIME interval, and then set the interval to 1 second.

I also make sure that the Wrap When Full box is Not checked. If you think that you will run out of memory adjust the time interval possibly to 2 seconds. If this is not an option you will have to make arrangement so that you can download your gps in the field when it gets full.

Cheap Trimble GPS

admin — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 05:05:43 +0000

One of the ways that you can get into higher precision gps units is to buy used equipment. I have been able to find some pretty good deals for some units on ebay. As with anything that you are thinking of buying on ebay, make sure that you know what you want and what it is worth. The excitement of the auction can lots of times lead people to pay more than that were planning on to get the item. Check out this search for the latest trimble mapping gps receivers that are waiting for you to bid on.

These guys are great, they are an authorized Trimble service center.