topic Re: Data Logger/Aquisition - Polygons in Data Management Questions

Data Logger/Aquisition - Polygons

JonathanMerrills — Sat, 16 Aug 2014 12:17:24 GMT

Hello,

I need to purchase some hardware that will allow me to log points whilst I walk around the edge of a landform in order to create a polygon in ArcMap.

I'm not sure what the cost and availability of such things are but beyond price, obviously accuracy and portability are prime concerns, as is ease of compatibility with ArcMap. I am UK based.

Forgive me if this is a common question but I'm short on time and a real novice in this field. Any help or information that you can give would be very much appreciated.

kind regards

Re: Data Logger/Aquisition - Polygons

stefanstamenov — Sat, 16 Aug 2014 13:06:12 GMT

You use ArcPad as a software, right?

Re: Data Logger/Aquisition - Polygons

stefanstamenov — Sat, 16 Aug 2014 13:08:03 GMT

And you are looking for a GPS receiver for a field work.

Re: Data Logger/Aquisition - Polygons

JonathanMerrills — Sat, 16 Aug 2014 13:10:38 GMT

Hi, no I don't currently. I haven't used any data collection software or hardware.

is Arcpad essential? I just need to collect the polygons and get them into Esri.

Re: Data Logger/Aquisition - Polygons

JonathanMerrills — Sat, 16 Aug 2014 13:17:50 GMT

If a GPS receiver will allow me to record my position as I walk around (thus measuring) a feature in a format that is compatible with ESRI then that sounds perfect, yeah.

Re: Data Logger/Aquisition - Polygons

stefanstamenov — Sat, 16 Aug 2014 13:18:12 GMT

I think it is more practical to collect points, not tracks and afterwards draw polygons in ArcGis, or whatever software you use. If use ArcGis, usually you use ArcPad also, both are ESRI products and compatible. In all cases you will need receiver and software on the field.

Re: Data Logger/Aquisition - Polygons

stefanstamenov — Sat, 16 Aug 2014 13:21:35 GMT

Yes, a GPS receiver can record your points in shape format if it has ArcPad on it. Otherwise you will have to convert for example the GPX file into shape. If you use Garmin hand held receiver for example.

Re: Data Logger/Aquisition - Polygons

stefanstamenov — Sat, 16 Aug 2014 13:29:02 GMT

The choice of the receiver depends on the accuracy you need, and your budget, of course. I can not know the prices in UK, you have to ask the local dealers of the companies, but a receiver with OS is surely more expensive.

Re: Data Logger/Aquisition - Polygons

stefanstamenov — Sat, 16 Aug 2014 13:32:08 GMT

I think ESRI work with Trimble, but I can not afford Trimble myself.

Re: Data Logger/Aquisition - Polygons

stefanstamenov — Sat, 16 Aug 2014 14:25:10 GMT

I hope gave some answer to your question.

Re: Data Logger/Aquisition - Polygons

DanPatterson_Retired — Sat, 16 Aug 2014 15:17:02 GMT

We routinely use Garmin handheld GPS units in our undergraduate classes to collect either point and track data (the more you spend the more bells and whistles). We then use DNRGPS a free software package to save the results directly to shapefiles. The accuracy is generally within a few meters (as compared to known points and tracks), particularly if you are within a WAAS enabled area (don't know about the UK). I have never seen the worst case precision/accuracy issues reported for the GPS units unless operating under heavy canopy. Your task will be to define the accuracy in area determination that you can live with given the areal extent of your features, etc.

Re: Data Logger/Aquisition - Polygons

stefanstamenov — Sat, 16 Aug 2014 17:42:52 GMT

I think in UK is EGNOS

Re: Data Logger/Aquisition - Polygons

MichaelDavis3 — Sat, 16 Aug 2014 19:14:38 GMT

Keep in mind that everything you need to do can also be accomplished with any modern smartphone running iOS or Android. There are numerous low cost or free apps available that can record points and output them in GPX format. Use software like the previously mentioned DNRGPS to convert the GPX points to shapefile, or use the GPX import tool in ArcToolbox.

For iOS I've had great luck with GPS Kit. iOS devices (and many Android devices) use both GPS and GLONASS satellites and seem to collect data on par with most Garmin-type consumer GPS receivers.

I'm not as familiar with Android, but I'm sure there are others on these forums that can recommend equivalent software.

Re: Data Logger/Aquisition - Polygons

stefanstamenov — Sat, 16 Aug 2014 20:37:46 GMT

Thanks for the DNRGPS