NOTE: This blog shares information about some of the tools we use for mapping. These are not sponsored products (we purchased them and we use the heck out of them!)
GPS surveying units - Wow, that's about as exciting as a blog entry gets! But we want to tell you about our tools! So to avoid this being like watching paint dry, it will be quick. And, it will have pretty pictures.
Photo credit: Lady Lockoff Photography
Photo credit: Lady Lockoff Photography
GPS Units - The Trimble R1
The GPS units are the technological backbone of our mapping. See that square device on Rick's backpack in the center photo? That is the Trimble R1. We each have one so we can map independently and have accurate data. The accuracy gets down to around 45 cm (about 1.5 feet). Compare that to a cell phone or recreational GPS unit - which typically have accuracy at around 20-30 feet.
Rather than reinventing the wheel I'm just going to repeat what Trimble says about the R1 on their website - because, well, it's true (and, again, we are not paid or compensated in any way...if it sucks, we'll say so...if it's awesome we will say so too.)
"The Trimble® R1 is a rugged, compact, lightweight GNSS receiver that provides professional-grade positioning information to any connected mobile device using Bluetooth® connectivity... Purpose-built for mapping and GIS professionals...the standalone Trimble R1 receiver enables you to collect higher-accuracy location data with the device you already use—whether it is a modern smart device, such as a mobile phone or tablet, or a traditional integrated data collection handheld or tablet."
So far, in our experience, the Trimble R1 is awesome. Are there some things we would nit-pick? Yes, and it's mostly with respect to some quirks in the Trimble App that interacts with our phones (like when it crashes during a save and you lose the line data you've been recording for the last mile, that really sucks...and I can tell you that's when choice words fly!). But the unit is rugged. We map in the rain, scrape it against rocks when we are hauling ourselves over a 4th class ledge, etc. and the devices are holding up beautifully.
The fact that the R1 pairs with our phone is awesome and invaluable. Not only does this minimize the equipment we have to carry, it allows us to take photos within the Trimble App for the map (each photo location is then accurately documented).
Because the phone serves as our data repository it must be protected, which leads me to our next critical piece of equipment: The Lifeproof Case.
Rather than reinventing the wheel I'm just going to repeat what Trimble says about the R1 on their website - because, well, it's true (and, again, we are not paid or compensated in any way...if it sucks, we'll say so...if it's awesome we will say so too.)
"The Trimble® R1 is a rugged, compact, lightweight GNSS receiver that provides professional-grade positioning information to any connected mobile device using Bluetooth® connectivity... Purpose-built for mapping and GIS professionals...the standalone Trimble R1 receiver enables you to collect higher-accuracy location data with the device you already use—whether it is a modern smart device, such as a mobile phone or tablet, or a traditional integrated data collection handheld or tablet."
So far, in our experience, the Trimble R1 is awesome. Are there some things we would nit-pick? Yes, and it's mostly with respect to some quirks in the Trimble App that interacts with our phones (like when it crashes during a save and you lose the line data you've been recording for the last mile, that really sucks...and I can tell you that's when choice words fly!). But the unit is rugged. We map in the rain, scrape it against rocks when we are hauling ourselves over a 4th class ledge, etc. and the devices are holding up beautifully.
The fact that the R1 pairs with our phone is awesome and invaluable. Not only does this minimize the equipment we have to carry, it allows us to take photos within the Trimble App for the map (each photo location is then accurately documented).
Because the phone serves as our data repository it must be protected, which leads me to our next critical piece of equipment: The Lifeproof Case.
