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GPS - The Big PictureGPS - The Big Picture

2004

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OverviewOverview

Introduction - Show GPS MovieGPS and the Big PictureAccuracyReview of GPS Receiver TypesWhy the Garmin GPSMap76 Receiver

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Show GPS Movie– Movie is found on your CD

<Presentations/GPSMovie

Requires Acrobat Version 4 – on CD

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Why do “Ologists” Need GPS?Why do “Ologists” Need GPS?

Spatial location is a critical component in all field work

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Why do Ologists Need GPS?Why do Ologists Need GPS?

Field work is done outside in remote locations where map information could be out of date, too large of spatial scale

Ologists are retiring and locations of stuff are not being archived

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What Can You Do With GPS? What Can You Do With GPS? Accurately and precisely record sites within 4 meters

– 1m or better with other GPSNavigate to locations pre-determined by othersRecord the path you took and play it back later

(make a map in the GIS)

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GPS Myths GPS Myths

GPS does not work in the far northSelective Availability will be turned back onI Just turn my GPS on and never check

settings - it just works!!GPS is only a “Field” thing

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OverviewOverview

Introduction - Show GPS MovieGPS and the Big PictureGPS AccuracyReview of GPS Receiver TypesWhy the Garmin GPSMap76 Receiver

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GPS - The Big PictureGPS - The Big Picture

GPS Data CollectionGlacier Moraines

Streams

Trails

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GPS - The Big PictureGPS - The Big Picture

GPS Data for Maps– Original Mapping– What’s out there?– Updating– Databases

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YouYou Are The Big Picture Are The Big Picture

Archive of Park Stuff!

Create/Obtain New Data

Distribute DataTo Parks

Distribute ToW W W

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How Accurate is GPSHow Accurate is GPS

Today…– GPS manufacturers quote about 50 ft (17m)

– ...but were getting 26 ft (8m) fairly reliably with good sky

8 m

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Accuracy Comparisons – Open*Accuracy Comparisons – Open*

4 mMap76

3 mGarmin V

95% - XYGarmins

4 mIII Plus

*Test sites used on this slide: Garmin V(NPS Bakerville); Garmin III+/Map76 (MTDC)

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Accuracy Comparisons – Open*Accuracy Comparisons – Open*

0.6 mPro XR

2 mGeo 3

95% - XYTrimble

0.9 – 1.6 mGeo XT

*Test sites used on this slide: Geo3 / GeoXT (1.6mMTDC); ProXR (Estacada). NOTE: GeoXT accuracy of 0.9 reported by NPS – Bakersville RT

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Garmin AccuracyGarmin Accuracy

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GPS Under CanopyGPS Under Canopy

Garmins 17 – 20 meters

Trimble 3 – 8 meters

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Putting It Another WayPutting It Another Way

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Which Tool for the JobWhich Tool for the Job

Jobs for the Garmin

Jobs for the Trimble

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Garmin JobsGarmin Jobs

Bering Land Bridge - Drum Recovery and Disposal

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Garmin JobsGarmin Jobs

Aerial Mapping– Fire Perimeters– Airstrips– Animal locations

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Garmin JobsGarmin Jobs

Camp Sites– Using Photos to record

site Conditions – Linking photos with

location in GIS

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Which Tool for the JobWhich Tool for the Job

Jobs for the Garmin

Jobs for the Trimble

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Trimble JobsTrimble Jobs

Utility Mapping

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Trimble JobsTrimble Jobs Multi-Feature Mapping

– Soil sample sites– Tree Core Locations

Location D

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Trimble JobsTrimble Jobs Trail Mapping / Condition

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Which Tool For the JobWhich Tool For the Job

Summary– Garmin Jobs are for open country, “site locating”, simple maps

– Trimble Jobs for GIS base mapping, feature rich environments and areas with difficult GPS conditions

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Unique Aspects of Ologist Unique Aspects of Ologist MappingMapping

25 acres10 mile perim.

Scale

Environment

Mode of Collection

Quantity of Units

Moving Targets

Other Duties

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Quick Review of GPS TypesQuick Review of GPS Types

Recreational Grade

Mapping / GIS Grade

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Review of GPS Receiver TypesReview of GPS Receiver Types

Survey Grade– Boundaries, Precise Control

Networks, Vertical Measurements

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Quick Review of GPS TypesQuick Review of GPS TypesRecreational Grade

– Navigation, Basic Mapping, Fun

– Designed to Download into TOPO mapping programs – lightweight GIS

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Quick Review of GPS TypesQuick Review of GPS Types

Mapping/GIS Grade– GIS Features and

Attributes

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PLGR’sPLGR’s

Retired PLGRS in April 2003

Only 3 left in Alaska Parks

Software Improvements make PLGRs obsolete

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Differential GPS (DGPS)Differential GPS (DGPS)Differential GPS

– A method of improving accuracy by adding a local reference station to augment information available from satellites

– Provided by • Coast Guard Beacons (Realtime)• WAAS

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DGPS - Coast Guard BeaconsDGPS - Coast Guard Beacons

Sounds great but…– Limited coverage– KEFJ, LACL,

KATM, SE AK

Coast Guard DGPS Beacons

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DGPS - Satellite Based - DGPS - Satellite Based - RealtimeRealtime

WAAS– 2 Equatorial satellites– Broadcast corrected signals– Designed for aircraft– Limited coverage in Alaska– poor under trees

Theoretical WAAS Coverage

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DGPS Review - Is it worth it?DGPS Review - Is it worth it?

For higher accuracy and precision - a must

Expect WAAS to increase broadcast area

Purchase WAAS in your next receiver and hope...

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Decision Factors for the Ranger Decision Factors for the Ranger GPS ToolGPS Tool

Accuracy

Cost (hardware)

Nerd Factor Scale

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Recreational GradeRecreational Grade

Accuracy: 3meter - 7meterCosts: $1500 - $150Nerd Factor:Storage: hours worth of dataStrategy: waypoints, simple

lines, polys

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Mapping/GIS GradeMapping/GIS Grade

Accuracy: 1meter - 5meterCosts: $10,000 - $3,000Nerd Factor:Storage: days worth of dataStrategy: GIS update

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Recreational Grade GPS Wins!Recreational Grade GPS Wins!

Reasonable accuracy for mapping large things

Low receiver costLow nerd scale Strategy set to enhance navigation

capabilitiesLow attribution requirements

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OverviewOverview

Introduction - Show GPS MovieGPS and the Big PictureGPS AccuracyReview of GPS Receiver TypesWhy the Garmin GPSMap76 Receiver

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Recreational Grade GPSRecreational Grade GPSConsumer Grade Manufacturers

Garmin– Recognized World Leader– High Support

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Garmin GPSMap 76Garmin GPSMap 76

$400 12 Channel GPS

WAAS enabled 8 MB of Map memory* 10,000 track points 10 hours of battery life

*Purchase of MapSource TOPO CD + $99

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Garmin GPSMap 76Garmin GPSMap 76

Integrates well with GIS

DNR Garmin to ArcView is Fast and Efficient

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Garmin GPSMap 76Garmin GPSMap 76Unique Aspects

– Antenna (Quadrifilar Helix)– It Floats– Averages waypoints– External Antenna capabilities

Other Models (e.g. eTrex)– No time/date in comment field

– No external antenna

– No averaging

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Limitations - Garmin GPSMap 76Limitations - Garmin GPSMap 76Weak Connection to External AntennaMust hold UPRIGHT for best reception

– Laying down on back produces poor data– Purchase a bracket if using in vehicles

Missing other features (Available in “S” Model:– Digital Compass– Altimeter

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NPS Intranet:– Cheatsheets and Guidelines

• http://web/rgr/gps/tips.htmInternet:

– http://www.nps.gov/gis/gps/aksogps/GPS Toolkits

• Your CD or • http://www.nps.gov/gis/gps/aksogps/

Where to Go For More INFOWhere to Go For More INFO

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GPS Toolkits

Where to Go For More INFOWhere to Go For More INFO

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GPS allows precise positioning anywhere in Alaska

Recreational grade GPS satisfies...– Moderate accuracy's

– Low costs in hardware, trainingA Garmin allows for navigation and

simple site marking jobs for many “Ologists”

SummarySummary

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Coming Up– GPS Sky

– Garmin Setup

– Get Outside!

BreakBreak