GPS for the woods

[fishfactor]

Maybe someone here can give some feedback. For some of the work we do, a GPS is very helpful. Currently, I just use a cheap Garmin hand held but the signal is lacking in the cab.

I've been searching for a affordable unit with the option for a remote antennea that could be put on the roof. It would be a huge plus to have software for my computer where I could input data then download to the GPS. I used a set up like this on a past job. The GPS was provided by the customers surveyor. He couldn't tell me much as he was just a employee, but he said he had heard the software for there unit was $50k. It was way overkill for what I need.

Anyone have a setup they could recommend?

 

[johndeerejohn]

I have a garmin gpsmap 60cxs handheld and it has a place on the back of it for a external antenna and it also came with (it was a package deal:thumbsup map source U.S. topo map software that lets you upload and download from your computer to the gps and vice versa. i'm not sure how accurate you want to get but i used mine for mapping atv trails and it works good for that. I've had mine for a few years now and i'm sure the price has dropped since i bought mine.

 

[nikdfish]

Are you wanting to locate/track your movement within a working plot area?

Some handheld units can accept customized images/maps for display on-screen and on their corresponding PC software. Also, many areas provide access to GIS (geographic information services)data as part of the tax parcel database. Information that includes boundary info, various information layers and aerial photographs. Imagery can typically be downloaded. You can get lat. long. info for corners & landmarks on the image which can be used to scale & locate the image within the GPS unit's coordinate system. Some areas charge for access, many (like my local county) provide free access.

With an image based map, you would then be able to place waypoints, routes, etc. into the unit from the PC, using detail from the overhead imagery for reference. Breadcrumb tracks from the GPS could go back to the PC for documenting activity.

Not sure if that is the sort of thing you'd be wanting, just what comes to mind at first blush...

Nick

 

[whistlepig]

I also have a Garmin 60CSX. I upgraded to it from a Garmin Etrex. I specifically bought the 60CSX for it's reputation to pick up satellite signals under a thick forest canopy. And it's very good for that. It also works very well in my trucks with out an external antennae. The 60CSX has been around a few years. It's a rugged and reliable hand held. I can Google Earth places in the middle of a lake 500 miles away, download them into my 60CSX, and it will take me there. I have done this.

 

[fishfactor]

Thanks guys. Thats exactly what I was looking for. The main use would be to locate corners on the GIS (it's free here) and download to the handheld. I understand that a handheld is not pinpoint accurate like a survey rig, but it's usually close enough to find the rebar/pin with a little searching. When I buy property the first thing I do is locate the corners and define the property lines. We have been on numerous jobs where the landowner had no idea where their property line was.

 

[tonyoz]

I have a Garmin GPS72.Is there an aeral similar to the type used in a car?I don't want an external one cause it will get smashed

 

[mulchman45]

Maybe someone here can give some feedback. For some of the work we do, a GPS is very helpful. Currently, I just use a cheap Garmin hand held but the signal is lacking in the cab.

I've been searching for a affordable unit with the option for a remote antennea that could be put on the roof. It would be a huge plus to have software for my computer where I could input data then download to the GPS. I used a set up like this on a past job. The GPS was provided by the customers surveyor. He couldn't tell me much as he was just a employee, but he said he had heard the software for there unit was $50k. It was way overkill for what I need.

Anyone have a setup they could recommend?

i have run gps in a barko doing seismac. topcon the best

 

[ralanb]

Maybe someone here can give some feedback. For some of the work we do, a GPS is very helpful. Currently, I just use a cheap Garmin hand held but the signal is lacking in the cab.

I've been searching for a affordable unit with the option for a remote antennea that could be put on the roof. It would be a huge plus to have software for my computer where I could input data then download to the GPS. I used a set up like this on a past job. The GPS was provided by the customers surveyor. He couldn't tell me much as he was just a employee, but he said he had heard the software for there unit was $50k. It was way overkill for what I need.

Anyone have a setup they could recommend?

Fish, did you find a gps to help you yet?

 

[Willl]

I have a Garmin GPS72.Is there an aeral similar to the type used in a car?I don't want an external one cause it will get smashed

The GPS72 doesn't have any external antenna capabilities.

 

[TMR]

I have a similar desire to get a good GPS for use in the woods...I see two Garmins mentioned...60CSX and and GPS72? Are these the two perhaps best at using in woods to mark property lines (perfection not required) and show trails, etc?

Thanks...I will continue to follow...Tom R

 

[fishfactor]

Haven't found one yet. I've been a little preoccupied looking at a few used machines. Now that I'm finished with that, and have a lot less money, I hope to find a good GPS before spring. Being able to communicate with the GIS maps on my computer and an external antenna are my two biggest wants. Once I start actually shopping I will post what I find.

 

[CurlyDave]

I have a 60CSx and really like it.

I have updated to a RINO 530HCx, since I like the all-in-one of the radio and GPS in one device. The RINO also broadcasts your position to others in your party and receives their positions.

The cost difference is about $50 on-line, which I consider a small difference for the upgraded capability, even if you have no current plans to use it.

 

[johnrex62]

I used to use a Garmin eMap with an external antenna hooked up to a laptop for navigation mapping with Mapsource software and maps. The eMap was designed for hiking and did not provide navigation or routing capabilities where the computer software and maps did.

I updated to a Garmin 765 a couple years ago, and this series of gps still accepts the external antenna, but I have not tried to connect it to an external map since it has very good navigation and trip tracking built into it.

I am not sure if the GIS maps are compatible with the Garmins or not. You will have to do some research on that.

 

[whistlepig]

I have a similar desire to get a good GPS for use in the woods...I see two Garmins mentioned...60CSX and and GPS72? Are these the two perhaps best at using in woods to mark property lines (perfection not required) and show trails, etc?

Thanks...I will continue to follow...Tom R

It looks like Garmin has discontinued the GPS 72. There are forums for GPS owners just like TBN is a forum for tractor owners. Also Geocaching is getting popular now and their forums have good reviews of GPS models. The major sporting goods suppliers like Cabela's, Bass Pro, etc. have user reviews of the GPS units that they sell on their websites. Different units do different things very well. But none of them do it all well. When I researched for my GPS I was looking for a unit that was highly rated for working under forest canopy, quick satellite aquisition, accuracy, and a rugged hand held unit. The Garmin 60CSX was rated very highly in these areas. There are other units that do other things much better than a 60CSX but I don't need the other things. Poor satellite aquisition means you either can't get a signal or the signal is so weak that the GPS " lags". I.E. by the time your GPS makes a "fix" on the satellite you have already walked way past where you wanted to go.

 

[fishfactor]

After much research and a while on the phone with garmin, this is what I have found.

Several models are capable of what I want, but the 62S seems to fit the best. You can integrate GIS maps using the custom maps function. This would allow you to define property lines, etc on your PC using a GIS map then export it to the GPS. This does require a overlay, which means you will need some point of reference to overlay the GIS map (or any map image in jpg format) onto the custom map program which uses google earth. You would need a road, creek, houses, or something to line up between the 2 maps to be sure you have the correct scale and location. It also is capable of a "birds eye" image for $30/year. This give you a satellite image of an area similiar to google earth. It also has a jack for a remote magnetic antenna and is waterproof.

Looks like this is the way I will go.

 

[tcartwri]

This is the software we use at work. Tons of features, for not alot of money.

Fugawi Global Navigator

 

[mossbackfarm]

We use the garmin 60CSx for our work in the woods, and everyone is bummed if they get stuck with a 72, etrex, or the like. We found the 60 outperforms even the high end trimble handhelds ($3-5k) in thick canopy.

Mapsource is pretty good, especially for putting maps on the unit, but it's a little buggy. For all of my tweaking of points and tracks, I vastly prefer GPS TrackMaker (free). The paid version also lets you use GIS shapefiles, which we find useful...ymmv

Rich