Global Mapping Systems is proud to sponsor the development of Internet-based
Frequently Asked Question (FAQ) resources concerning the Global Positioning
System. We are currently hosting the general GPS FAQ originally written
by Peter Bennett and the GPS Web Resource FAQ written by Skeeter Abell-Smith.
Both are now being maintained and updated by
.
Please send her corrections, updates, and suggestions.
We regret that we are unable to answer questions on a general basis about
the Global Positioning System due to our limited staff resources although
we can provide referrals to commercial consulting services. We suggest
posting questions about the GPS to the newsgroup sci.geo.satellite-nav
(after reading the FAQs of course :).
Eric Werme's UTM Grid
Overlay -- in Adobe Acrobat 3.0 PDF format (the original PostScript
file is at Peter Bennet's site, above). This is a uuencoded
version.
Great Circle Calculator -- "uses
the USGS ellipsoidal algorithms, links to the US Census for lat/long data,
has a world city data base and finally links to Xerox Parc for generating
maps"
MAPublisher (Mac/Win) -- "suite
of plugin filters that bridges Geographic Information System (GIS) technology
to high-end graphics / high resolution printing and electronic publishing
technology making cartographic quality map production faster, easier and
better"
U.K.: Yeoman PLC's Navigator
Pro is a plotting table with GPS inputs that works with Admiralty charts.
Quite impressive.
Waypoint Enterprises sells The Waypointer and The UTM Waypointer
grid overlays for lat/long and UTM respectively ($7.95 and $6.95) as well
as a Coordinate Grid Video by Avie Reece for $19.95. Contact them
at 520-367-2600 voice or 520-367-0264 fax.
I received sample copies of the grid rulers and they seem
to be well designed and constructed. They are made out of a transparent
acrylic. The lat/long grid has rules for measuring 1:24K; 1:62.5K; 1:100K;
1:126.72K; and 1:250K. The UTM grid has a built-in protractor for measuring
degree angles an measuring ruler for 1:24000 grids. - K.
Eric Werme's UTM Grid
Overlay -- in Adobe Acrobat 3.0 PDF format (the original is at Peter
Bennet's site, above)
We try to keep this list of vendors as up to date as possible. Please send
us any additions or comments on any vendors (positive or negative) to
.
We've also added our own comments on some vendors. We don't receive any
"kickbacks" for our endorsements. Since we have to buy all our own GPS
units on the market ourselves, we look for the same things that you do:
a good range of GPS units, good prices, fast shipping, competent support,
and a preference to help the "little guy out."
U.K.: Ormston Technology
Ltd. -- UK distributors for Dassault Sercel Navigation Products high-end
DGPS receivers
U.K.: Positioning Resources GPS
consultancy, rental, service and sales. Offering a digital workflow solution
in the field. OmniSTAR/Garmin/Laser Technology/Magellan/Husky/PocketGIS
U.S.A.: Mercat, Inc. -- Trimble,
Omnistar and other high-end stations
U.S.A.: NavTech GPS --
one of the largest resellers of GPS units, books, seminars, etc.
NavTech stocks all of the major brands at reasonable prices
and have a wide range of accessories and books on GPS and navigation technology.
One important factor is that the staff at NavTech really know their stuff
-- they even offer seminars on GPS -- which makes a big difference in the
level of purchasing advice and technical support they can offer. The downside
is that their prices are only moderately competitive. Tell them that we
referred you to them and ask for price matching. - K.
U.S.A.: Nobeltec -- reseller
of nautical navigational software (no GPS units)
U.S.A.: NVLT -- reseller
of broad range of Garmin and Magellan GPS units.
U.S.A.: REI -- outdoor products
cooperative, sells Garmin and Eagle GPS units; camping/hiking/biking goods
and much more w/ 10% rebate at the end of the year
U.S.A.: Synergy GPS --
resellers of Motorola/ONCORE GPS units
U.S.A.: WestMarine
-- chain of boating stores (some good prices on GPS units, including $20
off a $200 purchase for new customers)
Misc:
Boat Owners World -- site with
many boating related stuff, cluttered and hard to navigate
Many GPS manufacturers also produce GPS antennas. This section lists
antenna-only sites. I have personally evaluated both units and give them
two thumbs up for their listed use:
Lowe UK -- resellers of a great,
tiny, external, active GPS
antenna. This unit is highly recommended for use with any of the small
handheld GPS units, especially the single-channels. It's a must-have for
vehicle use if you have limited sky-visibility. Its footprint is approximately
1.25" square and has an embedded magnet. Please note that the Lowe antenna
is a 5V powered antenna and is not compatible with the 3V output of the
eMap. Check with your GPS vendor and with Lowe to make sure your antenna
is voltage compatible.
MaxRAD produces a great active GPS
antenna for mobile applications called the GPSA. It's quite a bit larger
than the Lowe but can be bolted to a mounting post or rooftop (no ground
plane is needed). Performance appears to be similar to the Lowe. If I had
a boat or an RV and needed a permanent antenna mount, I would definitely
consider the MaxRad GPSA. For pedestrian or automobile use, the Lowe is
smaller and lighter. The MaxRAD GPS lists for $135 and you can find a dealer
by calling MaxRad at 800-323-9122.
Cool GPS Hacks
Stelios Cellar -- Digital Camera
GPS Interface; Serial GPS LCD Project
Variometers/Barographs/Flightrecorders
Variometers are flight data instruments commonly used with hang-gliders
and paragliders. They provide flight data information (altitude, lift rate,
etc.) combined with moving map displays when used with GPS units. They
also provide the all-important flight data recording needed in contests.
-- tip of the hat to Alex Curlyo
In general, the Global Positioning System will not suffer from either the
classical Y2K problem nor the oft-mentioned GPS-week rollover problem.
Practically all civilian and military units in circulation will not suffer
from either as well. Some of the DOD mainframe/control systems may have
the Y2K problem, however the major systems should be clear by the time
the problem comes around. Despite what your brother-in-law may have told
you, planes will not come crashing to the ground and trains colliding when
the digits come rolling around. Sorry to disappoint you.
However, some poorly written commercial PC or Macintosh GPS software
may exhibit classical Y2K or GPS-week rollaround problems. Of course, GPSy
is not one of them. (smile) Y2K-phobes may wish to note that NMEA-0183
suffers the classical 2-digit Y2K problem so poorly written software may
cause boats to come colliding into harbors, a'la "Speed 2: Cruise Control."
Sigourney Weaver and Demi Moore are clashing over movie rights as we speak.
This bibliographical list was originally written by Marc Brett (and
taken off the internet) with further additions by Karen Nakamura:
Copyright (C) 1997-2001 by Karen Nakamura. All rights reserved. Mention
of any third party product or reseller does not represent endorsement of
or by that product or corporation. GPSy, GPSyLink, GPSy Pro and GPSY.COM
are trademarks of Karen Nakamura. All other trademarks are the property
of their respective owners.
This page was created on October 3rd, 1996 and last updated
on 9 July 2001. We've had
hits since we relocated on April 8th, 1997.
![[Nihongo]](nihongo.gif){kind=small}
![[GPSy (TM) -- A Macintosh GPS Program]](gpsylogospin.gif)
![[Spinning Globe Image]](spinearth.gif)
.
Please send her corrections, updates, and suggestions.
![[Lost? Think GPSy.]](think-gpsy.gif)
![[Web Access Symbol]](access.75.gif){kind=small}
Copyright (C) 1997-2001 by Karen Nakamura. All rights reserved. Mention
of any third party product or reseller does not represent endorsement of
or by that product or corporation. GPSy, GPSyLink, GPSy Pro and GPSY.COM
are trademarks of Karen Nakamura. All other trademarks are the property
of their respective owners.
