Evaluation of the Garmin GPS III

Roger Fryar, Project Leader

INTRODUCTION

The use of recreational-grade Global Positioning System (GPS) units by the USDA Forest Service has been somewhat limited due to concerns about position accuracy and the preference of many primary users for higher accuracy survey-grade equipment. Most Forest Service employees have had relatively little exposure to the use of GPS technology, due to the high cost, training needs associated with the use of more sophisticated GPS units, and the relative scarcity of equipment. The potential use of low-cost GPS units with features such as moving map screen display, downloadable topographic map bases, and the capability to receive real-time differential GPS (DGPS), offers resource managers new opportunities to utilize GPS technology and put the units into the hands of more potential users.

Like GPS, the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is also a relatively new technology for most Forest Service employees. While most resource managers now have access to equipment and training, a full facility to use this technology has been slow in coming due to the complexity of the technology. While some users need the full capability and power of GIS, many simply need computer generated digital mapping capability.

Many recreational-grade GPS products have coevolved with low-cost recreational mapping software packages. The digital mapping products have capabilities to utilize downloaded GPS waypoint and tracklog information and produce high-quality "customized" topographic maps. These software products have a variety of functions including draw features, profile generation for routes, distance and acreage estimation, along with search engines to find not only positions, but landmarks and map features. There are many opportunities to utilize this technology in natural resource management.