[OSM-dev] hacking outdoor GPS devices

[Alan Mintz]

At 2012-04-16 11:26, Mitja Kleider wrote:
>* Are you satisfied with the available devices? What would you change first?

Lots of stuff. Even Garmin's top-of-the-consumer-line firmware is really 
clunky by modern UI standards. Ability to record higher density points at 
lower speeds and still have enough storage for months of tracks like my 
smartphone (instead of hours).


>* If there was a device with open source firmware, would that be an
>important feature?

Maybe - as long as it resulted in better firmware.


>* Are you interested in developing your own firmware (if drivers were
>available)?

Probably not.


>* Why would you buy an outdoor GPS anyway instead of using your smartphone?

1. Reliability - MyTracks on Android has had reliability issues - stopping 
recording for several minutes in the middle of a track for no particular 
reason.

2. No external antenna - at least on my HTC incredible. The external 
antenna on my car makes a huge signal diff on my Garmin, resulting in 
higher-accuracy tracks. Also, when taking high-accuracy point surveys, I 
can align to my front tire and then use known fixed measurements from there 
to the antenna. Much better than having to keep your smartphone safe 
sitting on a cone or the ground.

--
Alan Mintz <Alan_Mintz+OSM at Earthlink.net>