Spatial Data Hardware + Software
Teaching + Learning
Maps + Mapping
Social Science Data Services
US Census
GIS Lab
Rotch Library, building 7-238
Contact Us
gishelp@mit.edu
GPS (Global Positioning Systems) in the MIT GIS Lab
- Garmin Etrex
- Software for getting the data off the GPS unit
- Example projects for which people have checked out the GPS units for extended periods of time
Garmin Etrex
Through the cooperation of IS&T, Rotch Library now has GPS units available for checkout by the MIT community, from the Rotch circulation desk. Units come in a carrying case, with documentation, and are available for one day. If a unit is needed for a longer period of time email gishelp@mit.edu to explain why and request an extension. 2 AA batteries are required to run each unit. Batteries are not provided by the library.
Available units include:
- 2 Garmin Etrex Ventures
- 2 Garmin Etrex Vistas
- 5 Garmin Etrex Legends
| Garmin eTrex Venture | Garmin eTrex Legend | Garmin eTrex Vista | |
| Position accuracy | WAAS enabled 3 meters | WAAS enabled 3 meters | WAAS enabled 3 meters |
| Routes | 20 w/ 50 legs | 20 w/ 125 legs | 20 w/ 50 legs |
| Waypoints (total) | 500 | 1,000 | 1,000 |
| Memory | 1 megabyte | 8 megabyte | 24 megabytes |
| PC Compatible | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Compass | No | No | Yes |
| Altimeter |
No | No | Yes |
| Display size | 2.1 x 1.1 inches | 2.1 x 1.1 inches | 2.1 x 1.1 inches |
| Battery life at 70 degrees | 20 hours | 18 hours | 12 hours |
| Dimensions | 4.4 x 2 x 1.2 inches | 4.4 x 2 x 1.2 inches | 4.2 x 2.2 x 1.2 inches |
| Weight | 5.3 ounces | 5.3 ounces | 5.3 ounces |
Software for getting the data off the GPS unit:
A recommended free software package, that enables downloading data from Garmin GPS units and selecting from several format options, including Shapefile (ESRI - ArcMap), KML (Google Earth), Landview, .txt or as a graphic, is the "DNR Garmin GPS Application" available from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources: http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/mis/gis/tools/arcview/extensions/DNRGarmin/DNRGarmin.html
Example projects for which people have checked out the GPS units for extended periods of time:
- Nitrogen sampling, turbidity/TSS sampling, and coral reef inspection in the Virgin Islands
- Collection and Representation of GIS Data to Aid Household Water Treatment and Safe Storage Technology Implementation in the Northern Region of Ghana
- Water Quality testing in Ghana
- Tracking human motion using sensors that give relative positions of several points on the body, and gps to get a global reference
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