Tree survey software and technology

[Arborowen]

I'm working on three reports I've used this method on this week. I'll see if I can upload some obscure final results of survey.

[sloth]

Thanks for the replies, I use pocketgis on a gps handheld so I don't imagine I'd need to use this. But it's interesting to see how other things works. Be good to see the end result

[Arborowen]

How do you get on accuracy wise with the GPS on you WM handheld? Do you average positions while entering data and /or do you differentially correct location data after collection to achieve the fabled sub-metre accuracy?

[jackmayo]

Just having a quick play around with it and for a student who justs wants to have a mess around its perfect! It uploads to a spreadsheet so saves time, can be used offline and is easy to customize.

 

As said before the only problem is mapping, you can map onto a google map but you need internet and the detail is not great, if uploaded to a spreadsheet then it does come out with the co ordinates in a column but they are useless on there own, unless you want to copy and paste them into google maps for every tree!

 

Thanks

Jack

[Arborowen]

Not so jack, if you see my previous post a bit of Excel cunning and I Re formatted the output from one cell with two values, to two cells with one value in each. I did this for 120 trees in 2mins. Excel has a function to split cells with multiple values into single cells. You do this by telling excel what symbol separates them, (in this case a colon), then it does the rest.

 

Use http://www.gpsvisualiser.com to upload your formatted csv with the columns, Tree no. Latitude and longitude. Gps visualiser will then spit out a kml or KMZ file with your points. Easy. There is guidance on Google for cell value splitting and gps visualiser is stuffed with guidance on how to use.

[Arborowen]

The next battle would be suitable Android hardware. Probably shouldn't get into that here as it would be endless. However I use an old Nexus 7 with an Otterbox for for semi-waterproof rugged tablet action.

 

I'm still not comfortable walking around with a tablet. Feel like a bit of a twit. Plus in some places where trees are used for dog fighting training you might get mugged.

[Adam M]

I've been umming and ahhhing about getting an Xperia Z tablet as I'm so impressed with the phone version. It's supposedly very accurate with its GPS and it is semi-waterproof with fastenings over any plug holes. Trying to justify the spend though over other tablets that are half the price.

[Arborowen]

Not so jack, if you see my previous post a bit of Excel cunning and I Re formatted the output from one cell with two values, to two cells with one value in each. I did this for 120 trees in 2mins. Excel has a function to split cells with multiple values into single cells. You do this by telling excel what symbol separates them, (in this case a colon), then it does the rest.

 

Use http://www.gpsvisualiser.com to upload your formatted csv with the columns, Tree no. Latitude and longitude. Gps visualiser will then spit out a kml or KMZ file with your points. Easy. There is guidance on Google for cell value splitting and gps visualiser is stuffed with guidance on how to use.

 

Please note: I can't edit this post anymore the link is wrong obviously because the Americans spell it differently this is the site you want to use http://www.gpsvisualizer.com/

[Paul Barton]

This looks great, thanks arborowen. I have been looking for a good Android data collection app for a while and this seems to fit the bill. I've just downloaded it so haven't had time to work out how to configure a survey template with drop down lists yet, but it seems to be possible.

 

I like the GPS data entry with Google maps, very nice.

[Paul Barton]

I've been umming and ahhhing about getting an Xperia Z tablet as I'm so impressed with the phone version. It's supposedly very accurate with its GPS and it is semi-waterproof with fastenings over any plug holes. Trying to justify the spend though over other tablets that are half the price.

 

I have that tablet. It's really good but unfortunately I can't find any decent cases like the otterbox stuff that will fit it. It may well be rainproof already, but it ain't drop proof as a dent on one corner of mine proves.

 

To be honest I'll probably end up getting an ipad as the range of accessories is so good for them.