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ecologyst
USA
10 Posts |
 Posted - 20 juin 2005 : 22:44:15
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Hopefully this is the correct forum for this, my questions/concerns may involve many aspects of interest to this site...
I am doing research that will, at this point, likely involve hooking up a stand alone Garmin GPS (already in possession, eTrex Vista) to a laptop because of desire to locate position in relation to DOQQs and/or GIS layers (using ArcView). Have used MapSource somewhat but as far as i can tell it only has topo maps and i can't make GIS and MapSource play together (unless someone can enlighten me).
This is an okay set-up as long as i don't leave my field vehicle (although there is some concern with carrying a laptop into the field or leaving it in a sun-heated vehicle). However, this would be a cumbersome pairing while on foot. Does anyone have experience or recommendations for a PDA/GPS combo system that will allow for integration with GIS software and/or memory/speed capabilities to handle layers/photos? I have a sneaking suspicion that PDAs may not be up to that challenge yet and i'll have to settle for something like a hybrid where I just load the photos on the PDA/GPS to look at for reference and have waypoints marked on the maps indicating target parts of GIS layers. Or I'll strap the laptop on my back and lug that around...
I have looked briefly at Fugawi software, but without using it, i'm not sure it can do what i want it to do.
1) Can MapSource and ArcView work together?
2) Can PDA/GPS systems handle computing power needed for GIS information (even if just small chunks of maps are loaded)?
3) Any recommends for good field (not "car-only street navigator") PDA/GPS systems?
4) Any other ideas for a workaround to what i'm looking to do if there isn't a ready-made commercial solution already available that i'm just not aware of?
Phew, thanks in advance for any guidance...
Oh yes, I am a definite newbie to this group and have only limited experience so far with combining GPS and PCs. Hopefully my questions aren't too uninformed. |
Edited by - ecologyst on 20 juin 2005 23:31:04
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ecologyst
USA
10 Posts |
Posted - 23 juin 2005 : 00:50:50
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So I will respond to myself as a bit of an apology. After doing some more research, there definitely are PPCs with GIS capabilities (sold through ESRI - a Dell Axim and an HP iPaq - both with ArcPad). So that answers much of my question - however, only sort of, and i still need some help.
These PPCs do have the ability (and power) to handle GIS layers, apparently, but they don't include GPS units so any unit would have to be added on. The total price tag for a set-up of this sort gets up around $1500, i believe. When i already have the laptop and GPS units for the heavier (but no cost) option, this seems cost-prohibitive. Does anybody have any suggestions for a cheaper software/hardware solution? i don't need the data entry capabilities of ArcPad, necessarily, just the ability to pull up layer information as i'm walking through points.
Thanks, and i apologize for ignorance and impoliteness of responding to my own post. It seems that leaving a trail of my thought process might be the most helpful, though. |
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paulkbiba
USA
5064 Posts |
Posted - 23 juin 2005 : 01:20:03
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Actually, you question is quite technical and I think your title is misleading, so you are not getting the type of people reading it who might have an answer. I suggest copy and paste your post over in the Advanced Topics/General Technical Discussions and give it a more descriptive title including the words ArcPad and GIS. Let's see what happens.
Moderator
Don't forget the GPSPassion Club! |
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Niko
Australia
56 Posts |
Posted - 23 juin 2005 : 07:59:34
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Ecologyst
What you are looking for is a cheap way to do GIS work, you have to realise that much of the software and hardware here is for recreational use. In saying that, even a iPAQ 3800 will do the trick but of course your consideration is the onboard memory, which, Arcpad is somewhat memory intensive for data storage. PPCs aren't designed to have GIS capabilities specifically, the reason why ESRI sells the ones they do is because they are cheap. They just want to sell their software and a cheap PPC is the only way they can sell a very expensive product to more people.
A friend of mine is a manufacturer of GIS type hardware http://www.micronicsgps.com and he uses the iPAQ 3800/3900 series within his specially made hard case. He offers Arcpad and another program called starpal which I believe would be better suited to your needs.
Mapsource will not work with any other software per say, you can only output tracks in CSV format. You can't use the maps to overlay GIS data and only works with serialised GPS (mapping GPS) from Garmin when used on a laptop or possibly the mapsource software used with the Garmin iQUE M5 for a PDA.
Field use would be a PDA with a CF GPS. I sell to GIS Software Vendors the Holux GM-270U and there have been no complaints by them I have also sold the HP iPAQ hx4700 to go with GIS end users because of the processor power and good size memory.
Niko |
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Niko
Australia
56 Posts |
Posted - 23 juin 2005 : 08:05:44
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By the way, don't even bother looking at Magellan's modified Meridian called the Mobile Mapper, the screen is impossible to see in direct sunlight and very expensive for what it does. The CE version ay prove to be a goer, however, a month ago I heard they are having problems meeting FCC requirements. The CE version is dearer again. Do seriously consider an Otter box with the facility to allow you to put a GPS into the top slot as you will no doubt be using it in an environment naked PDAs (or even in the standard flip open case) will fail very quickly.
Niko |
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ecologyst
USA
10 Posts |
Posted - 23 juin 2005 : 18:18:13
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Many many thanks for responses. Paulkbiba, i'll take your advice and repost. And with the bounty of info that Niko has provided, I should be able to reframe my questions more intelligently. Although I may find i've got my answers. Starpal looks like the solution i'm looking for, not the full ArcView replacement that ArcPad more attempts to be. Seems like the iPaq is probably the way to go after looking around and the Holux is a great tip, thanks. The setup with StarPal looks even better than the laptop workaround i would have to do (flipping back and forth between MapSource for position and ArcView for layer info). And thanks for the warning about Mobile Mapper, i had actually found that and it is good to know to stay away...
Fantastic fantastic, many thanks.
ecologyst |
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PDA as serious laptop replacement
