About three years ago the CRM firm/Engineering company I work for moved into the digital realm and we haven't looked back.
There are quite a few options out there from the types of devices (Android or IOS tablets and cellphones) to receivers (Trimble or EOS Arrow) to software (Terraflex, collector, Survey123, or free ware).
The company I work for provides Android smart phones, so we use those. We've used tablets (both Android and IPAD) and honestly I prefer the phone. It's easier to carry, often has a better camera, and can fit in my pocket when going through thick brush. Now for drawing (feature or profile sketches) a tablet is better. Depending on what you are doing, having cell/internet can be helpful (loading background maps, syncing forms, real time data). However, it might not be necessary if you are using software where you can download maps, data, or taking photos. (Collector with ESRI online allows you to download ARCGIS files to devices).
We use the Trimble R1, and like Sandra mentioned they are half to 1/3 the cost of a new GEOXT especially if you buy multiple at one time. When doing shovel probes, I can get 40-60cm, when walking/surveying 60cm to 1m. I have noticed if you walking faster when recording sometimes the accuracy can jump, but that's fairly normal with GPS units. With out a receiver, just using the internal phone GPS we receive between 3m and 4.6m (which is about the range for cheap handheld devices). The R1 uses the same charger as most standard Android phones. The EOS Arrow has roughly the same accuracy as the R1, but is bulkier and requires a separate charger.
Now software is where the options are really up to you and cost. There are free open source programs which can have a steep learning curve or require creating a new setup. Terraflex, Collector with ESRI online, and Survey123 might have free options, but with paid licenses can be more user friends as some of the templates/forms are easier to setup and use. I would recommend looking into software with cloud access for easy upload/download. This makes switching projects or updating routes easier in the field, plus saving to the cloud and your phone is always better. Each of these programs have there issues. We currently use Trimble Terraflex with Trimble Insphere online. This costs $400 per Terraflex account (with up to 3 users at a time per account). We really liked Terraflex when it first came out, because of the background google maps, easy interface, and unlimited cloud storage. However, over the past year or so, Trimble is changing Terraflex into a new program and support (including Google maps) has been greatly reduced. This winter we will be shopping around for a new program. We still enjoy the easy of use and form creation. We created forms that match multiple state cultural resource forms and we have forms to doing shovel probes including profiles, soil types, and colors (all at a push of a button with limited typing). These two forms alone have decreased the time it takes to record sites, IFS, shovel probes, and photo logs. Plus all the data is saved on the phone and instantly uploaded to the cloud (if 4G is available). Therefore, we have duplicates in case the phone breaks. The forms are then available within minutes of upload and can be downloaded and completed in the office instantly.
There are a few company out there that have the software and devices in one which you can rent or buy. Plus they have in house technical support. We haven't pursued this option, but figured I'd mention them.
I had a symposium about going digital at the New Orleans SHA meeting and can provide contacts for other using different software.
If you would like to discuss this further off the list, send me an email.
Thanks and good luck!
Andrew
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