GPS Handhelds Erin Miller Suzette Stone Introduction

GPS Handhelds Erin Miller Suzette Stone

Introduction • At one time all GPS units attempted to cater to everyone. • Currently more specialized units are available. • You need to understand exactly what you intend to do with a GPS unit before you buy one. • It is a good idea to explore a few features beyond the basics. • Today we are focusing on lower-end GPS handhelds with an accuracy generally less than 15 m. These can be used for outdoor recreation, navigation, the marking of landmarks or other points, but not for survey grade applications.

Things to Consider • • • The many uses of GPS Computer interface to be able to download data. Uploading maps of areas you intend to visit. A unit with an interface that you are comfortable with. What is most important to you? Are the datums you require available? Which paper maps, if any, will you be using along with your unit? What type of interface? Do you need additional software and cables? Do you want internal maps? What uploading capabilities and amount of space is available? Battery life? Waterproof? Available accessories how accurate do your downloadable maps need to be? Need DGPS? WAAS?

Keep in Mind A navigation receiver is not a survey device but it more accurate than most of the digitized maps you use it with. Remember many of these maps were digitized using paper maps.

The Comparisons • Garmin Etrex Series • Other Garmin units • Thales Navigation units (formerly Magellan)

Manufacturer Garmin Model Legend Venture Vista Size (Wx. Hx. D) 4. 4”x 2. 0”x 1. 2” Weight 5. 3 oz Batteries/life 2 AA / 18 hrs 2 AA / 20 hrs 2 AA / 12 hrs Waypoints 500 Routes 20 / 50 ea Display Size 2. 1” x 1. 1” Upload memory 8 MB 1 MB 24 MB O. Ext. antennae N/A Basemap Worldwide city Db Basemap Map options Map. Source CD Pts of Interest CD Map. Source CD WAAS enabled Yes Compass/Altimeter No / No Yes / Yes Accuracy <15 m <3 m. WAAS List Price $268 $194 $375

Manufacturer Garmin Model Emap GPS 12 Map GPSMap 76 Size (Wx. Hx. D) 5. 5”x 2. 4”x 0. 8” 5. 8”x 2. 1”x 1. 2” 6. 2”x 2. 7 x 1. 2” Weight 6. 7 oz 9 oz <16 oz Batteries/life 2 AA / 12 hrs 4 AA / 36 hrs 2 AA / 16 hrs Waypoints 500 Routes 50 / 50 ea 20 / 30 ea 50 Display Size 2. 2” x 1. 7” 2. 2” x 1. 5” 1. 6" x 2. 2" Upload memory Only w/ card 1. 44 MB 8 MB O. Ext. antennae Yes Basemap ** Detailed b. m*** Map options Metro. Source Map. Source CDs WAAS enabled No Yes Compass/Altimeter No / No Accuracy <15 m <3 m WAAS List Price $242 $364 $400

Manufacturer Thales Navigation Model Map 330 Meridian GPS Meridian Platinum Size (Wx. Hx. D) 6. 2”x 2. 0”x 1. 3” 6. 5”x 2. 9”x 1. 3” Weight 7 oz 8 oz Batteries/life 2 AA / 10 hrs 2 AA / 14 hours Waypoints 500 Routes 20 / 30 ea 20 Display Size 2. 3”x 1. 4” 1. 75”x 2. 2” Upload memory 8 MB Opt SD card O. Ext. antennae Yes Yes Basemap US Cities, Hwys US Cities, airprt Also waterways Map options Map. Send Streets Map. Send CD WAAS enabled Yes, upgradeable Yes Compass/Altimeter No / No Accuracy <15 m List Price $270 $210 $350

The Potential of WAAS Wide Area Augmentation System 100 meters: Accuracy of the original GPS system under Selective Availability (SA) program. 15 meters: Typical GPS position accuracy without SA. 3 -5 meters: Typical differential GPS (DGPS) position accuracy. < 3 meters: Typical WAAS position accuracy.

Manufacturer Garmin Thales Navigation Model Vista GPSMap 76 Meridian GPS Size (Wx. Hx. D) 4. 4”x 2. 0”x 1. 2” 6. 2”x 2. 7 x 1. 2” 6. 5”x 2. 9”x 1. 3” Weight 5. 3 oz <16 oz 8 oz Batteries/life 2 AA / 12 hrs 2 AA / 16 hrs 2 AA / 14 hours Waypoints 500 Routes 20 / 50 ea 50 20 Display Size 2. 1” x 1. 1” 1. 6" x 2. 2" 1. 75”x 2. 2” Upload memory 24 MB 8 MB Opt card 8 MB $34 O. Ext. antennae N/A Yes Basemap Detailed b. m*** US Cities, airport Map options Map. Source CDs Map. Send CD WAAS enabled Yes Compass/Altimeter Yes / Yes No / No Accuracy <15 m <3 m. WAAS <15 m <3 m WAAS <15 m <3 m WAAS List Price $375 $400 $210 ($244)

Costs for Map Add-ons Garmin Metroguide $200. 00 Garmin Waterways $65. 00 Garmin Road & $100. 00 Recreation Map. Send for Meridian – $80. 00 Streets & Destinations

In closing For the types of uses we were searching for • Basic functions for primarily recreational use • Ability to contain some basic street information as well as uploading features • The accuracy that is possible with WAAS technology The Meridian GPS by Thales Navigation seems to be the best choice.

References • Garmin www. garmin. com • Thales Navigation www. magellangps. com • Yahoo Shopping (for prices not listed on corporate sites) www. yahoo. com • www. gpsinformation. net • Trimble www. trimble. com • “Receiver Survey” GPS World January 2001