NR 322: GPS and GIS Jim Graham Spring 2010 GPS Manuals
Global Positioning System (GPS) Hand-held receiver Find your position Guide you to a position
Inexpensive Bring extra batteries! Works inside a plastic bag Garmin
Natural Resource GPS More rugged Longer battery life More accurate Trimble
GPS Network Utilizes a network of 24 satellites that transmit precise microwave signals
Global Position System
Every point on circle is a possible receiver location Satellite 1 Location Receiver Location? Receiver Location How do GPS units work?
Satellite 1 Location Satellite 2 Location ? ? How do GPS units work?
Satellite 1 Location Satellite 2 Location Satellite 3 Location Known Receiver Location How do GPS units work?
Accuracy Standard GPS 1 –Theoretical Limit: 30 centimeters –Typical: 15 meters (45 feet) Differential GPS 2 –Predicted: 0.67 m per 100 km –Measured: 0.22 m per 100 km Statement by the President regarding the United States' Decision to Stop Degrading Global Positioning System Accuracy". Office of Science and Technology Policy (May 1, 2000). Retrieved on
GPS Use Power Page Up Down Enter Find Up Down Enter Page Power Up Down Find Page Power Thumb Stick LCD Display
Main Pages Satellites Trip Computer Map Compass Main Menu
Menu Mark = Point Waypoint = Point Route = Polyline Track = Polyline Setup
Set the projection and datum!
“Navigating”
Satellite Page Number of satellites Accuracy Position!
Compass Only works when moving!
Map More expensive models can show topos
Trip Odometer/Computer Shows the elevation
GPS with GIS Digitize with: –Way points: points –Tracks: polyline –Route: polyline Way Points: –Tree locations –Wildlife sign –Campsites Tracks: –Record where you’ve been –Trails –Animal tracks –Streams Routes: –Create a route to follow –Same as tracks?
DNRGarmin Free software from Minnesota Department of Natural Resources –Trimble’s solution is different! Standalone or plug-in Need special serial cable – 54https://my.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?pID=6 54 –Search for “garmin gps serial cable”
Downloading data Install DNR Garmin Connect Serial cable to the computer Connect serial cable to the connector behind the rubber flap on the top of the back of the GPS (some have small USB connectors now) Turn on the GPS! Open DNR Garmin
Download Waypoints Save to Shapefile
Troubleshooting GPS: –DNR Garmin GPS Menu Computer: –Control Panels -> Admin Tools -> Computer Management -> Device Manager -> Ports -> Communications Port -> Properties -> Port Settings Make sure Baud rates match –9800 is Garmin default Make sure ports match –Should be Port 1 for serial
Easy GPS Tiny, easy to use GIS package Free EasyGPS.com Garmin, Magellan or Lowrance GPS Exports to “GPX” format