[GIS] Navigating real time with USB GPS usiang QGIS

gpsqgis

I'm trying to navigate real time with an USB GPS over a shapefile map, but I can't find the way to do this. I'm using QGIS 1.9.0 desktop version with a Garmin Etrex Legend HCx GPS.

In fisrt place, QGIS doesn't recognise my GPS port. In addition, I cannot find in QGIS the option to navigate real time.

Do you have any idea to help me with this?

Best Answer

Working on Windows 7, I can connect my Etrex Legend Hcx to QGIS with live tracking using Franson GPS Gate Client from http://gpsgate.com/products/gpsgate_client.

This free software redirects the GPS data from USB to a virtual COM port.

Having that started, you can activate logging in QGIS with View -> Panels -> GPS Information

Set Connectto Autoconnectand then click on Connect

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[GIS] Using OpenLayers (with OpenStreetMaps) and PostGIS for rendering data acquired from GPS tracking device

Check out the rotate features OpenLayers example.

Moving a features works in the same way but using move, e.g.:

var vectorLayer = new OpenLayers.Layer.Vector("Simple Geometry");
// create a point feature
var point = new OpenLayers.Geometry.Point(-110, 45);
pointFeature = new OpenLayers.Feature.Vector(point, null, style_blue);

map.addLayer(vectorLayer);
map.setCenter(new OpenLayers.LonLat(point.x, point.y), 5);
vectorLayer.addFeatures([pointFeature]);

// move the point one unit up and redraw            
window.setInterval(function() {
    pointFeature.geometry.move(0, map.getResolution() * 1);
    pointFeature.layer.drawFeature(pointFeature);
}, 100);

GPS Accuracy – Tablet or Smartphone GPS vs Real GPS

There are a huge number of devices to choose from, and it is difficult to broadly say that one family of device are more precise than others. It is better to compare accuracy based on real life tests. However, there are a few things to consider:

Chipsets. Dedicated GPS, and Smart Phones use a chipset to actually perform the GPS calculation. The accuracy and capabilities vary. Some chipset's are optimized for urban canyons and are particularly suitable for smart phones (SIRFstar III). Others can track a greater number of satellites concurrently and feature SBAS augmentation. Some cell phone chipsets may outperform those used in dedicated devices. Even some professional grade GPS (Nomad 900G) units ship with less accurate consumer grade chipsets.
Antenna. The placement and quality of the antenna effects GPS accuracy. Some dedicated GPS units have external antenna's instead of the internal antenna typical in smartphones. They may also feature an antenna socket to allow an aftermarket antenna to be added.
Assisted GPS. It is possible to improve accuracy using data from non-satellite sources. GPS almanac and ephemeris information can be downloaded using a smartphone radio, or uploaded using dedicated GPS software. Smartphone's can also use cellphone towers to aid in positioning. This can improve accuracy and reduce time until first fix.

In summary, it is worth looking at the chipset, antenna specification, and Assisted GPS capabilities to determine the likely performance of the device.

Best Answer

Related Solutions

[GIS] Using OpenLayers (with OpenStreetMaps) and PostGIS for rendering data acquired from GPS tracking device

GPS Accuracy – Tablet or Smartphone GPS vs Real GPS

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