[Talk-us] Currently available good GPS for use with OSM mapping in the USA?

[Joseph R. Justice]

[I am subscribed to Talk-US and will see responses to this message sent to
that list.  -- J]

So, I've been thinking about getting involved with OSM, particularly in
terms of improving the map in the area I live in (Fort Lauderdale, FL,
USA).  Looking through the wiki, the Beginner's Guide, and all of that, it
seems like one of the most popular and useful ways to do that is to collect
and upload GPS traces.  That's something I can do on the ground in my area,
and at a pretty detailed level because I'd be doing it on foot.

I have several Android devices that contain GPS functionality.  (Currently,
I have and actively use a Google Nexus 7 (2013 ed) tablet and a Samsung
Galaxy S II on the Virgin Mobile USA (Sprint) network, and less often a
Toshiba Thrive 10 tablet; I have a couple of other devices that are not
currently working.)  However, I'm thinking that their capability to make
accurate and precise GPS measurements might not be as good as that of a
dedicated GPS device.  Also, I understand that having GPS signal reception
separated from that of the other functionality of a Android device will
help improve the battery life of the Android device.

Therefore, I am thinking about getting some sort of GPS receiver, either a
standalone one and / or one that can communicate via Bluetooth to my
Android devices.  However, I do not have any experience with dedicated GPS
devices per se.

To that end, I am wondering if anyone here would wish to offer suggestions
on GPS devices that are currently available in the US which I should
consider.  I have been doing some research, but there's a lot of
possibilities out there, both well-known name brands with lots of
advertising and not so well known brands, and like I said I do not have
personal experience with this sort of thing.

I was originally considering getting just a pure receiver, with no display
capability and perhaps not even any logging capability, e.g. something that
would simply receive and process a GPS signal and relay the results (e.g.
coordinates, etc) via Bluetooth to an Android device, which would then be
responsible for everything else.  However, I've subsequently considered
that having a GPS device which could be useful by itself without needing
anything else might be more useful in general, even if it costs somewhat
more.  So, I am not restricting myself to considering just GPS
receiver-only or receiver-plus-logging-only devices.

I'm pretty sure that even if I get a device capable of working as a
standalone device, that I would want it to be able to communicate with my
Android devices, so I'll probably want Bluetooth (or possibly WiFi but I
suspect that is more costly and power-hungry) no matter what.  I'll
probably want USB *if* I get a device capable of making an internal log, so
I can easily transfer data to my PCs.  (I don't know that it makes sense or
is even feasible to try to connect a GPS device to my Android devices via
USB.)

I'll probably want something capable of receiving signals both from the US
and Russian (GLONASS) GPS systems, since they're both available and it
looks like using GLONASS can help provide a more precise location fix.  (I
assume devices capable of receiving signals from the forthcoming European
and Chinese systems are not yet available.)

I'll probably want something capable of receiving whatever publicly- and
freely-available GPS augmentation / refinement signals are available.  (I
know about WAAS run by the FAA, and I think there's also something run by
the Coast Guard; I'm not sure if there's anything else in the US that's
freely available.)

It looks like that, at least to an extent, "the more channels the better".

In general, I'll probably want something that is as accurate and precise as
is feasibly affordable for and available to a non-professional working
alone.  (I've seen that there's very precise professional survey-grade
equipment out there, but it's probably way beyond anything I'd be willing
to pay at this time.  Likewise, a lot of the pro stuff appears to call for
a base station unit and a rover unit, which would realistically require a
minimum of two people; I'm going to be doing this by myself.  However, if
I'm going to do this, I want to generate the best data that is feasible for
me to collect.)

If I get a device capable of displaying information / position on a map
and/or navigation information, I suppose I would ideally like a device
capable of using OSM information if it is not too much more expensive;
however, I don't know that this desire is as strong as a "probably want".

I don't think I need a device that's capable of being a camera also; if I
want that, I'd be more likely to just get a separate camera (tho perhaps a
camera that can be synched to the GPS device somehow).

I am not particularly into geocaching or like activities at this time, or
hiking, hunting, fishing, or similar outdoor activities.  However, I might
try out geocaching at some point.  I don't think I need a device that is
capable of doing geocaching type stuff all by itself without other aids; I
don't think I'd be willing to pay significantly more just to add that kind
of capability.

I am not into flying or sailing and do not need a aviation-grade or
marine-grade unit.  I am not into extreme sports.  At this time, I expect
my usage to be primarily on foot or similar means; however, it is
conceivable I might be doing driving at some point.

I am probably willing to spend at least up to 200 to 300 on such a device
(at the high end especially if it is a standalone-capable device).  If it
would make a substantial difference in the device's capabilities and/or if
I would be likely to quickly outgrow or be dissatisfied with a device at
that price level, I am willing to spend more; however, I don't know that I
desire a "gold-plated" device, so to speak.

I am looking for a new device (not refurbished or used) easily available
for retail sale in the US.  It can be available either through a
traditional bricks-and-mortar type store and/or through a reputable
mail-order / web store.  (If it's available at least to look at first at a
B&M store, that would be nice of course, but it isn't a mandatory
requirement.)

Thanks for any advice, recommendations for devices and/or preferred vendors
(or of course negatively recommended devices or vendors), etc anyone cares
to offer.  If you have further questions that would allow you to give me
better or more targeted advice, please feel free to ask me through the list
or directly as you prefer.  Again, I will see responses to this message
sent to the list.



Joseph
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