Any advise guys on what GPS to go for

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   Garmins work ok, Argos has a couple for around �100

there are a couple of points to remember.

The accuracy of the GPS position depends on the satelite signal, and could range from 6-40 metre radius of where you are.

Generally the more satelites the GPS looks for the greater the accuracy, but a clear unobstructed view of the sky helps considerably (i.e. cloud & trees = bad)

When locating a previously marked point the GPS may change its mind which direction to head in.

This is because it has to know which direction you are heading in to determine which way to go.

to solve this just walk in one direction for about 20meters and it will sort itself out.

In other words, dont expect it to tell you which way to a certain 'waypoint' if you're standing still, it only works when you're moving.

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Mark T Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Member Joined: 27 Apr 2006 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 7	Post Options Post Reply Quote Mark T Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 18 May 2006 at 4:28am
	Garmins work ok, Argos has a couple for around �100 there are a couple of points to remember. The accuracy of the GPS position depends on the satelite signal, and could range from 6-40 metre radius of where you are. Generally the more satelites the GPS looks for the greater the accuracy, but a clear unobstructed view of the sky helps considerably (i.e. cloud & trees = bad) When locating a previously marked point the GPS may change its mind which direction to head in. This is because it has to know which direction you are heading in to determine which way to go. to solve this just walk in one direction for about 20meters and it will sort itself out. In other words, dont expect it to tell you which way to a certain 'waypoint' if you're standing still, it only works when you're moving.

administrator Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group Joined: 01 Jan 2007 Status: Offline Points: 10	Post Options Post Reply Quote administrator Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 18 May 2006 at 8:16am
	Garmin 12 is pretty accurate. I usually get between 3.5 and 7m accuracy in the field - good enough that I can find cover objects using it even when they are at high density and also produce location maps that are really useful. Good for me as I have a mermory like a sieve.

Matt Harris Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 03 Jun 2003 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 233	Post Options Post Reply Quote Matt Harris Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 22 May 2006 at 11:06am
	On a related note, what GIS do people use for plotting results of surveys? I use MapInfo Pro. at work, but it's too expensive for the group to afford. We just need something that'll display raster and vector layers, and allow us to plot herp and habitat data.
	Local Authority Ecologist

administrator Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group Joined: 01 Jan 2007 Status: Offline Points: 10	Post Options Post Reply Quote administrator Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 22 May 2006 at 11:31am
	http://www.mapmaker.com/index.asp useable free GIS, bit quirky on Windows 2000 and XP though