GPS for Hazard Reduction (RFS)

[Ontrack2]

Hi guys,

My RFS Brigade is looking at getting a GPS for use both in vehicle and for plotting boundaries for Hazard Reductions (fuel burns)

We want to be able to use it on foot, walking existing and proposed trails, then upload the data to plot on aerial photography and maps. We also need to be able to load maps onto it so when in the field we will have an idea of where we are in relation to landmarks (roads, creeks etc).

In car it would be nice (but not essential) if it could have some form of street navigation capabilities.

It also needs to be relatively simple to use, water proof(resistant) and pretty rugged, good battery life (rechargable would be good), and of course as cheap as possible as it is funded by the brigade lol

I have been looking at the Garmin 60CX(?) but open to better suggestions from people in the know.

edit : i should also add that it will need to work in under bush canopy which can be quite dense at times.

cheers

Rob

[mlenser]

Might be worth looking at the Garmin Nuvi 500 (http://www.octapc.com.au/prod263.htm) with either OzTopo (http://www.octapc.com.au/prod5.htm) v2/3 or Garmin Topo Australia v2 (http://www.octapc.com.au/prod500.htm)

[Michael]

60Cx :hatoff :soapbox

On the PC either:
OzTopo in MapSource.
&/or
OziExplorer & suitable topo maps.
http://www.oziexplorer.com/
http://www.maptrax.com.au/

[Peety117]

Does the RFS use Esri as their desktop GIS package? If so a PDA and ArcPad would be ideal, or something a bit cheaper would be buying a hand-held GPS and installing the GPS extension in ArcMap (if you had a laptop with ArcMap).

Peter

[darylr]

Hi Ontrack2,

I am also member of RFS. I use my Explorist 500 in conjuction with Oziexplorer which can produce the results we need for HRBs and also for mapping boundries of fires (haven't done that for a while :swim ) and for calculating areas burnt.

It is rugged(dropped off bonnet at 80kmh) waterproof and easy to use.

I also use it for general navigation and location in conjunction with a paper map.

Our FCC has various older Garmins and others for their work.

regards

Darylr