Interesting discussion. We've been experimenting with using an IPAD and GIS software (ESRI Collector) when doing property geoassessments. They are supposed to release a new version of the program this month that will allow you to use it remotely in the field. Aspen used another software for geologic mapping using an IPAD at field camp. They used it day in and day out for weeks and it only required charging in the evening. We haven't had a battery problem with the IPAD like we have with the cell phones. In addition, you can create all kinds of maps including geologic layers, satellite aerials, fault maps, property boundaries, etc. We use the GPS function to mark points on the map, couple that with georeferenced photos of the site, and can also record a narrative at each point. We may have 30 to 40 points in a day and many hundreds of photos. There is also a program that will collect strike and dip of geologic structure. Yes, an IPAD is bulky. We have it in a life proof case and so far, it is working pretty well. I think the coming months will give it a real test for what we want to do. The only limitation is that the ESRI Collector program won't work unless you have cell coverage. However, their new release (projected for this month) will allow you to download maps and should fix that. So, we've also been using another program called Topo maps which is also works well. If ESRI gets Collector working well, I suspect it will become the new default program from field mapping.
Geary Schindel -----Original Message----- From: Charles Goldsmith [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Monday, March 24, 2014 5:27 PM To: Diana Tomchick Cc: Cave Tex Subject: Re: [Texascavers] Gaia GPS app for iPhone/iPad In my experience with several different types of apps, iphone/ipad just doesn't have the efficiency to run GPS, it drains the battery just too fast, even with everything else closed/off. While hiking and using my iphone, I'll load my gps app, mark a waypoint, then go back into airplane mode to conserve battery, but I can't run it continuously. The app I normally run for GPS waypoints is Motion-X GPS, I have it for both the iphone and ipad, but don't hike with the ipad, too bulky. On Mon, Mar 24, 2014 at 1:54 PM, Diana Tomchick <[email protected]> wrote: > Anyone out there had any experience with this mapping app for iPhone/iPad? If > you have used it and like it, I would especially like to know if you think it > works better with the iPhone, iPad mini or full-sized iPad. > > http://www.gaiagps.com > > Apple touts it as a great app for people climbing mountains such as > Everest--my 4th generation iPad doesn't hold a battery charge very well at > temps around 30 degrees or colder, though. > > Diana > > * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Diana R. > Tomchick Professor University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center > Department of Biophysics > 5323 Harry Hines Blvd. > Rm. ND10.214A > Dallas, TX 75390-8816, U.S.A. > Email: [email protected] > 214-645-6383 (phone) > 214-645-6353 (fax) > > > > > > > > > ________________________________ > > UT Southwestern Medical Center > The future of medicine, today. > > > --------------------------------------------------------------------- > Visit our website: http://texascavers.com > To unsubscribe, e-mail: [email protected] > For additional commands, e-mail: [email protected] > --------------------------------------------------------------------- Visit our website: http://texascavers.com To unsubscribe, e-mail: [email protected] For additional commands, e-mail: [email protected]
