|
|
| GeoCommunity Mailing List |
| |
| Mailing List Archives |
| Subject: | RE: [gislist] ArcPad on HP iPAQ - followup |
| Date: |
09/29/2004 03:45:01 AM |
| From: |
GISex* Technologies |
|
|
>
> I have had the same horror story with my iPAQ, which is now gather dust. I
> was also using it for a calendar dna contact list, which also completely
> disappear when the worthless battery runs out!
>
> I am looking forward to seeing other recommendations!
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: gislist-bounces@lists.geocomm.com
> [mailto:gislist-bounces@lists.geocomm.com]On Behalf Of RICK GRAY
> Sent: Monday, September 27, 2004 6:08 AM
> To: APPLIED-GIS-RS@LISTES.ULAVAL.CA: arcview@lists.directionsmag.com:
> gislist@lists.geocomm.com
> Subject: [gislist] ArcPad on HP iPAQ - followup
>
>
> Hello all (and apologies for the cross posting)
>
> Last year about this time, I was excited about getting 10 HP iPAQ
> hand-held
> units with GPS flash antennas and running ArcPad 6.0 for my GIS course. I
> have
> now had a year to work with the system and thought some might be
> interested in
> my assessment.
>
> Simply put: if there was something else available (and a budget to pay for
> it),
> I would try it!
>
> ArcPad seems to function well, once you get past the learning curve (it
> only
> vaguely mimics ArcView or ArcGIS or ArcExplorer). As a teaching tool, the
> students enjoyed the portability. Having a desktop version to practice on
> really helps. I applaud ESRI for that and for the on-line tutorials they
> provide.
>
> The GPS antennas that I used are HAiCOM HI-303MMF units. Experience with
> 10
> units all mapping the same turf suggests that on a good day, average
> accuracy is
> a couple of meters. In some instance, accuracy can be as good a sub meter.
> On a
> bad day, 10-20 meters is more like it. Frustrating for a student who
> stops
> mapping at a point along a trail, then starts at the same point to carry
> on only
> to find that the two points don't coincide back home on the computer.
> Very
> valuable as a teaching aid to make that point.
>
> My greatest frustration with the system is with the iPAQs.
>
> 1. The field life of the battery charge is about 3-4 hours. Anybody who
> takes
> a class of 30 students to the field can appreciate the limitations that
> creates.
> The first half hour is spent getting organized (even with lots of
> pre-planning). Such a short lifespan really cuts into effective working
> time.
> For a professional who needs to put a full day in the field, the unit
> would be
> next to worthless.
>
> 2. Back at the office, the units must be left on a charger ALL THE
> TIME!!!! If
> not, the batteries will drain dead within a couple of weeks even when the
> units
> are shut down. A dead battery not only means you have to wait for it to
> recharge
> before heading out again, but when the battery dies, ArcPad and any other
> software and data that is installed after it left the factory, is lost.
> For some
> reason it is stored in volatile memory. All base maps, projection files -
> everything - is gone and needs to be reinstalled. Very time consuming and
> frustrating.
>
> 3. The AC power adapter plug is a large bulky item so only 2, or at most
> 3, can
> be plugged into a standard power bar. For 10 units, you need a bank of
> powerbars cluttering your desk. In my office this is not practical (with
> only
> one power outlet to run printer, plotter, computer, and other
> peripherals).
> This means you have to remember to keep swapping out units if you want
> them to
> stay charged.
>
> In another couple of years, I can anticipate having to replace this
> technology
> (with pleasure, I might add), and I wondered if anyone on the list had
> other
> experiences - good or bad - with similar technology. Is there anything
> out
> there - that is affordable on a tight school budget - that works better?
> Has
> anyone got a greater horror story so that I won't feel so bad about my
> choice?
>
> Thanks,
> Rick
>
> Rick Gray
> GIS Specialist, Ontario Weather Network
> http://www.ownweb.ca
> GIS Instructor
> Ridgetown College, University of Guelph
> http://www.ridgetowncollege.com/
>
> Tel. 519-674-1554
> E-mail: rgray@ridgetownc.uoguelph.ca
>
> Ridgetown: -81.883 W, 42.450 N
>
> This message has been scanned by Mcafee Anti-virus Software and is
> certified virus free.
>
> _______________________________________________
> gislist mailing list
> gislist@lists.geocomm.com
> http://lists.geocomm.com/mailman/listinfo/gislist
>
> _________________________________
> This list is brought to you by
> The GeoCommunity
> http://www.geocomm.com/
>
> Get Access to the latest GIS & Geospatial Industry RFPs and bids
> http://www.geobids.com
> ______
|
|
Sponsored by:
For information
regarding
advertising rates
Click Here!
|
