GPS for Dummies.pdf - Engineering Surveyor

Chapter 6: Using GPS with a PDA115A number of PDA mapping programs are on the market, and I could easilydevote an entire book to discussing them all. Because this chapter providesonly a general review of using PDAs with GPS, Table 6-1 lists of some of themore popular PDA mapping programs; including which types of PDAs theywork with and a Web site address to get more product information. Most ofthese programs are sold individually or might come bundled with a GPSreceiver. Expect to pay anywhere between $40–$150 for a software package.Table 6-1Popular PDA Mapping ProgramsProgram Pocket PC Palm Web SiteDeLorme Street Atlas X X www.delorme.comUSA HandheldDestinator X www.destinator1.comIntellinav X www.intellinav.comMapopolis Navigator X X www.mapopolis.comMicrosoft Pocket Streets X www.microsoft.comQuo Vadis X www.marcosoft.comTeleType X www.teletype.comTomTom Navigator X www.tomtom.comOne of the challenges in using a PDA in a car is dealing with the stylus. It can bequite a coordination test holding the stylus in your hand, tapping commandson the PDA with it, and driving at the same time. One slick solution is theStinger Stylus, which is a cross between a plastic ring and an artificial fingernail.Just slip the Stinger over your finger, and your fingertip takes the place ofa stylus. For more information on the Stinger, go to www.stingerstylus.com.Most of the software and maps that come bundled with the PDA GPS receiversare designed for road navigation. But what if you want to display topographicor nautical charts on your PDA or use real-time GPS tracking off the road?You’re in luck because several PDA programs fill this need. Topographic mapdisplay is one area that PDA mapping software far exceeds handheld mappingGPS receivers. Your PDA can display full-color, detailed 1:24,000 scale mapsthat look exactly like the USGS paper versions. Compared with the 1:100,000scale vector maps typically used on mapping GPS receivers, there’s no comparisonwhen it comes to the amount of map detail that a PDA can display.