Skip to main content
Geographic Information Systems

Return to Question

Additional point added to question from anonymous user; edited slightly
Source Link
djq
djq
  • 16.3k
  • 31
  • 112
  • 182

I've been reading a lot today about android and iphone devices being used for spatial data collection in the field and it sure seems to be that single purpose devices such as the extremely popular Garmin eTrex are a dead end. Why buy something with a tiny screen, no ability to add custom data collection interfaces, cost-plus base maps, and no picture taking when you can get all that and more for free or very cheap with a tablet/phone?

As near as I can tell so far the only real advantages a real GPS has over these other devices are ruggedness and extended battery life. Unless maybe accuracy? How does the accuracy of a GPS-enabled smart phone or tablet compare with a consumer grade "real" GPS? What about when off-grid?

  What about cold-start time-to-lock, with no Wifi (mobile cell ?) support ?

I've been reading a lot today about android and iphone devices being used for spatial data collection in the field and it sure seems to be that single purpose devices such as the extremely popular Garmin eTrex are a dead end. Why buy something with a tiny screen, no ability to add custom data collection interfaces, cost-plus base maps, and no picture taking when you can get all that and more for free or very cheap with a tablet/phone?

As near as I can tell so far the only real advantages a real GPS has over these other devices are ruggedness and extended battery life. Unless maybe accuracy? How does the accuracy of a GPS-enabled smart phone or tablet compare with a consumer grade "real" GPS? What about when off-grid?

  What about cold-start time-to-lock, with no Wifi (mobile cell ?) support ?

I've been reading a lot today about android and iphone devices being used for spatial data collection in the field and it sure seems to be that single purpose devices such as the extremely popular Garmin eTrex are a dead end. Why buy something with a tiny screen, no ability to add custom data collection interfaces, cost-plus base maps, and no picture taking when you can get all that and more for free or very cheap with a tablet/phone?

As near as I can tell so far the only real advantages a real GPS has over these other devices are ruggedness and extended battery life. Unless maybe accuracy? How does the accuracy of a GPS-enabled smart phone or tablet compare with a consumer grade "real" GPS? What about when off-grid? What about cold-start time-to-lock?

Additional point added to question
Source Link
edit approved Oct 9, 2012 at 17:23
Community Bot
edit approved Oct 9, 2012 at 17:23
Community Bot
  • 1

I've been reading a lot today about android and iphone devices being used for spatial data collection in the field and it sure seems to be that single purpose devices such as the extremely popular Garmin eTrex are a dead end. Why buy something with a tiny screen, no ability to add custom data collection interfaces, cost-plus base maps, and no picture taking when you can get all that and more for free or very cheap with a tablet/phone?

As near as I can tell so far the only real advantages a real GPS has over these other devices are ruggedness and extended battery life. Unless maybe accuracy? How does the accuracy of a GPS-enabled smart phone or tablet compare with a consumer grade "real" GPS? What about when off-grid?

What about cold-start time-to-lock, with no Wifi (mobile cell ?) support ?

I've been reading a lot today about android and iphone devices being used for spatial data collection in the field and it sure seems to be that single purpose devices such as the extremely popular Garmin eTrex are a dead end. Why buy something with a tiny screen, no ability to add custom data collection interfaces, cost-plus base maps, and no picture taking when you can get all that and more for free or very cheap with a tablet/phone?

As near as I can tell so far the only real advantages a real GPS has over these other devices are ruggedness and extended battery life. Unless maybe accuracy? How does the accuracy of a GPS-enabled smart phone or tablet compare with a consumer grade "real" GPS? What about when off-grid?

I've been reading a lot today about android and iphone devices being used for spatial data collection in the field and it sure seems to be that single purpose devices such as the extremely popular Garmin eTrex are a dead end. Why buy something with a tiny screen, no ability to add custom data collection interfaces, cost-plus base maps, and no picture taking when you can get all that and more for free or very cheap with a tablet/phone?

As near as I can tell so far the only real advantages a real GPS has over these other devices are ruggedness and extended battery life. Unless maybe accuracy? How does the accuracy of a GPS-enabled smart phone or tablet compare with a consumer grade "real" GPS? What about when off-grid?

What about cold-start time-to-lock, with no Wifi (mobile cell ?) support ?

Tweeted twitter.com/#!/StackGIS/status/186190681583255552
Source Link
matt wilkie
matt wilkie
  • 28.3k
  • 35
  • 149
  • 283

Tablet or smart phone GPS vs "real" GPS

I've been reading a lot today about android and iphone devices being used for spatial data collection in the field and it sure seems to be that single purpose devices such as the extremely popular Garmin eTrex are a dead end. Why buy something with a tiny screen, no ability to add custom data collection interfaces, cost-plus base maps, and no picture taking when you can get all that and more for free or very cheap with a tablet/phone?

As near as I can tell so far the only real advantages a real GPS has over these other devices are ruggedness and extended battery life. Unless maybe accuracy? How does the accuracy of a GPS-enabled smart phone or tablet compare with a consumer grade "real" GPS? What about when off-grid?