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| Subject: | RE: GISList: advice needed: GPS for teaching GIS |
| Date: |
08/20/2003 08:20:01 PM |
| From: |
Dixon, Jim |
|
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Greetings
I agree with Neil's comments about OziExplorer. I think the 'cut back'
version is even free and can be downloaded. In any event the full licensed
version only costs about A$100. We have used it in the field and found it to
be an excellent tracking and navigation tool, with one or two reservations.
a) the directory structure seems to be 'nested' and it is easy to lose where
you are in the nest. This is important for loading new maps (= header files)
because there seems to be a default system working which caused us much
confusion. Our work around was to establish an additional directory at the
highest level and call it 'unused_headers'. Here we placed the unused
headers (!) and left only those we wanted for the day in the 'Map'
directory. With that arrangement it worked fine.
b) with the Garmin eMap, we had to use NMEA communication at a baud rate of
4800 rather than what would appear default Garmin settings of Garmin/9800.
The other thing to add is that there is a very good arcview extension for
Garmins. This allows a real time positional file to accumulated and when
ready, be saved in text or Shape file format. The position shows
simultaneously on the ArcView View. The extension can be downloaded from
http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/mis/gis/tools/arcview/extensions/DNRGarmin/DNRGar
min.html
Pete Russell (this list) gave me the URL some months ago. Thanks Pete.
On balance I think we will be using OziExplorer for true navigation (it was
developed for 4WD enthusiasts) and the ArcView Garmin combination for work
within fields where we want to plot soil boundaries etc and use multiple
views.
Good luck
Jim
> ----------
> From: Neil Havermale[SMTP:neilh@redhensystems.com]
> Sent: Thursday, 21 August 2003 6:29
> To: 'RICK GRAY': gislist@geocomm.com
> Subject: RE: GISList: advice needed: GPS for teaching GIS
>
> I would suggest that you contact either or both Magellan and/or Garmin and
> check if the have an educational deal on a 12-pack of receivers or at
> least
> for some software. Both companies have very excellent handhelds with WAAS
> differential correction and therefore accuracy of a meter or two under
> good
> conditions.
>
> As for the heads-up feet-down map making I encourage you to take a look at
> a
> product named Oziexplorer. It is very low cost per seat and actually does
> the outside GIS data collection very well via either Garmin or Magellan.
> Notable to Oziexplorer is its built-in features that can place local
> background maps into most Magellans and Garmins thereby eliminating the
> need
> for a PDA and ArcPad expense. That is you construct the ground truthing
> "mission" in say MapInfo or ArcView with legacy data, export it over to
> Oziexplorer, and from Ozieexlorer to either the Garmin or Magellan
> handheld
> GPS. Sounds like too many steps but actually quite easy "once you master
> the issues of projection" as related to so called "open systems" download
> and upload. If you can send student out to the big GIS world with this
> mastery of "projections" and "datum's" you will have done all of us a
> great
> service!
>
> http://www.oziexplorer.com
>
> MidNight Mapper
> Aka neil
>
> And if you are interested in low-cost high-power spatial analysis with
> extensive tutorials as a "lab" deal take a look at:
>
> http://www.redhensystems.com/products/mapcalc/default.asp?sm=27
>
> And some of the student materials and analysis examples via:
>
> http://www.innovativegis.com/basis/Senarios/Default.html
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: RICK GRAY [mailto:RGRAY@ridgetownc.uoguelph.ca]
> Sent: Thursday, August 21, 2003 6:56 AM
> To: gislist@geocomm.com
> Subject: RE: GISList: advice needed: GPS for teaching GIS
>
>
> Great thought. I have considered it and suspect that time constraints
> (i.e.
> 2 hr lab slot) would not give students the time to go to a location and
> actually accomplish something then return to the school in time for their
> next class. However, we are located on an agriculture research campus.
> Perhaps I will send out an email to all the research faculty to see if
> anyone needs GPS readings of their plots.
>
> >>> "Gillespie,Ian [Burlington]" <Ian.Gillespie@ec.gc.ca> 8/20/2003
> 4:35:00 PM >>>
> Hi Rick,
>
> Just as an aside, have you thought about approaching companies, local
> governments (Fed/Prov/Muni), non gov't agencies (ie. Conservation
> Authorities) or other academic deptartments using this as a collaborative
> opportunity to collect data?
> Market this as a win-win so you can have students learn how to us
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