GIS and GPS

EMS0525 · 12-07-2009, 6:33 AM

Does anyone know anything about using GIS data with a handheld GPS? I work for a civil engineering firm and know a little about surverying and GIS and such. GIS data is "smart" it all has lat and long with it... is there a program that i can use to merge the GIS data and GPS data. I have a etrex vista hcx. Most GIS data is in .shp file format. There is all kinds of information you can get in GIS format, property, contours, streams... It seems along the same lines as GPS stuff and it would make sense that you could use one with the other...

GIS:
Geographic information system - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

EMS0525 · 12-08-2009, 11:42 AM

Anyone?

GNSS · 12-08-2009, 3:57 PM

There is a lot more data in a GIS than most GPS will handle. Just about any GPS will accept position/ID etc once converted to the correct format to be uploaded. Software would be available to do this but would probably be a 2 or 3 stage process where by the GIS exports positions/id to some form of ascii format, a system to convert this ascii file to some form of propriety format suitable to upload to the GPS with appropriate software. Doubt there is a "single" of the shelf process system to do this ???

Standard recreational GPS will not support standard GIS files such as shape files etc

There are survey grade handhelds designed for GIS collection etc which will have much more compatibility with GIS type data. Not sure if units like the Leica SR20 import GIS type data? The SR20 will certainly import DXF files.

GNSS · 12-10-2009, 6:18 PM

The new Zeno10 & Zeno15 which run Arcpad with standard GIS formats might suit the purpose. This will not be a cheap option but would probably handle what you require. There will be no cheap option for what you require anyway.

gpsnetwerx · 01-05-2010, 1:42 PM

also check trimble geox* and topcon (cant recall model). both will collect point line and area features as well as any attributes needed t populate the shapefile. a simple export from the sensor or software into an esri arc product is all that is needed.

as gnss posted, a simple pnd will not give attribution that is critical to gis features. you could after the fact add the features but it would be very time consuming.

01-05-2010, 2:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EMS0525

Does anyone know anything about using GIS data with a handheld GPS? I work for a civil engineering firm and know a little about surverying and GIS and such.

Not trying to be an ass here, but I'd start with your own internal resources first. I might be wrong, but I don't think the vast majority of casual, recreational GPS users (such as this site) are all that up to speed on GIS. I know I'm not...and I'm a commercial pilot.

gpsnetwerx · 01-06-2010, 8:16 AM

there are a couple of us here. although i am not a diligent in checking i as i should. hows flying these days? i was scheduled to fly into lagos nigeria on 3 occasions the past 3 weeks. something or someone was/is watchimg over me. i declined the job.

12-07-2009, 6:33 AM	#1
EMS0525 Join Date: Dec 04 2009 Location: Ambridge PA Posts: 5	GIS and GPS Does anyone know anything about using GIS data with a handheld GPS? I work for a civil engineering firm and know a little about surverying and GIS and such. GIS data is "smart" it all has lat and long with it... is there a program that i can use to merge the GIS data and GPS data. I have a etrex vista hcx. Most GIS data is in .shp file format. There is all kinds of information you can get in GIS format, property, contours, streams... It seems along the same lines as GPS stuff and it would make sense that you could use one with the other... GIS: Geographic information system - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

12-08-2009, 11:42 AM	#2
EMS0525 Join Date: Dec 04 2009 Location: Ambridge PA Posts: 5	Re: GIS and GPS Anyone?

12-08-2009, 3:57 PM	#3
GNSS Join Date: Aug 20 2009 Location: Australia Posts: 139	Re: GIS and GPS There is a lot more data in a GIS than most GPS will handle. Just about any GPS will accept position/ID etc once converted to the correct format to be uploaded. Software would be available to do this but would probably be a 2 or 3 stage process where by the GIS exports positions/id to some form of ascii format, a system to convert this ascii file to some form of propriety format suitable to upload to the GPS with appropriate software. Doubt there is a "single" of the shelf process system to do this ??? Standard recreational GPS will not support standard GIS files such as shape files etc There are survey grade handhelds designed for GIS collection etc which will have much more compatibility with GIS type data. Not sure if units like the Leica SR20 import GIS type data? The SR20 will certainly import DXF files.

12-10-2009, 6:18 PM	#4
GNSS Join Date: Aug 20 2009 Location: Australia Posts: 139	Re: GIS and GPS The new Zeno10 & Zeno15 which run Arcpad with standard GIS formats might suit the purpose. This will not be a cheap option but would probably handle what you require. There will be no cheap option for what you require anyway.

01-05-2010, 1:42 PM	#5
gpsnetwerx Join Date: Jun 18 2008 Location: tallahassee florida Posts: 72	Re: GIS and GPS also check trimble geox* and topcon (cant recall model). both will collect point line and area features as well as any attributes needed t populate the shapefile. a simple export from the sensor or software into an esri arc product is all that is needed. as gnss posted, a simple pnd will not give attribution that is critical to gis features. you could after the fact add the features but it would be very time consuming.

01-06-2010, 8:16 AM	#7
gpsnetwerx Join Date: Jun 18 2008 Location: tallahassee florida Posts: 72	Re: GIS and GPS there are a couple of us here. although i am not a diligent in checking i as i should. hows flying these days? i was scheduled to fly into lagos nigeria on 3 occasions the past 3 weeks. something or someone was/is watchimg over me. i declined the job.

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