GPS

I want a handheld mapping gps unit that I can load my own scanned maps onto?

Public Comments

1. The problem with this concept is that you would need to scan your map and imbed at least two points of reference for the program to know where everything is. This is possible by using a Geotiff - a tiff file with geographic reference points imbedded into it. However a lot of GPSs will not accept this type of file as a base map and you would have to move up to a more professional system like a Trimble device that uses ArcPad which is a mapping, GIS software package. You can find more information about GPSs at http://www.sourcegps.com
2. No, a $300 garmin or magellen will not do this. You have a few different options. An entry Trimble Juno will cost $600 and you'll still need to buy some type of software to run on it. Trimble Terrasync ($2000-2500) or Arcpad ($???), or another 3rd party vendor. There is also the Thales (Magellan) Mobilemapper. You can probably find one of these with software for $1000-1200. Another option is to buy a pda device and use an external cf gps card. Then you'd need to find software to run the gps. There are cheap to freeware programs that will run on a pd. Similarly you can plug a nema output gps into a laptop and again run a free-to-cheapware software. One example may be GPSUtility easily found on the web.