Hi Iain,

We use a Garmin etrex pretty well all the time coupled with ArcGIS just
for moving waypoint information.  For more complex stuff I have used a
Compaq iPaq with Navman GPS sleeve.  Arcpad was the software, which
enables you to use forms that are fully compatible with your desktop
GIS, so your field work can be pure check-box if you like.  Couple that
with a digital camera module and you can spatially reference the images
for a comprehensive digital field experience.  Hang on that sounds a bit
dodgy...

So extract the digit Iain, and leg it on down to your local purveyor of
palm products, and see if he/she can't take some of the paperwork out of
your next bush bash.

Greg

 
Greg Jackman
ARCHAEOLOGY MANAGER

Port Arthur Historic Site Management Authority
Port Arthur
Tasmania
Australia  7182

Ph: (03) 62 512 336
Fax: (03) 62 512 322

Visit our new website: www.portarthur.org.au


-----Original Message-----
From: HISTORICAL ARCHAEOLOGY [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Iain
Stuart
Sent: Saturday, 23 October 2004 8:13 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Going digital

I must admit to a fondness for the old technology - its easier to get
lead in my pencil than fixing a GPS! It also comes with a rubber
(eraser) which prevents mistakes. Consider the amount of batteries you
have to carry these days. As for those aerials for the Trimble GPS's,
not wonder they don't work in wooded areas - the aerials must get stuck
in the trees! 

Sadly, the old dumpy levels and plane tables (alidades) are now antique
tools available at premium prices. No doubt the luggable computers
(Kaypros and the like) are about to become antiques as well.

On the positive side I was hoping I could go fairly paperless, has
anyone else tried to juggle cameras, maps and recording sheets in high
wind and had to go chasing site records down a hill? If I could only
tick a few boxes, get a grid ref and a digital photo I could go back to
the office and download everything into a report and not even think
about it. 

HLA uses a spiffy Garmin etrex which seems to work as well as a Trimble
(especially now that SA is turned off). The positive side is that you
can use it to track your route, which if you are geographically
embarrassed as I was on Thursday pm, you can plot where you have been.
In my case turns out to be where I wanted to be (which begs the question
of where the route markers were). This is very helpful when the map is
out of date.

You should also check that the GPS supports the national mapping grids
which some don't.

yours

Iain Stuart

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