Data Collection in the Field
Field data recorders or portable computers are often used in the field by conservation researchers. In most instances their application has focused on improved collection of attribute data for subsequent integration into an office based information system. Field data recorders enhance their data collection efforts. The capabilities of portable computers are always improving, in terms of storage, processing speed, and screen space and resolution. Portable computers can be used with different levels of functionality with off-the-shelf technology. They can:
1. Collect field data with the use of specialised database software
2. As 1. with corresponding spatial data (GPS location points) using a GPS-capable device (external or integrated). This data gives a more accurate and realistic representation of the study area
3. As 1. and carry imagery products into the field with a GIS-capable device. This replaces the need to carry hardcopy aerial photography and maps into the field, and so spatial data can be manipulated in the field.
Points to consider
· Off-the-shelf technology is available, but these general software applications might not fulfil a user’s needs
· Specialised software applications are available but these are often more expensive and more difficult to obtain
· Data recorder hardware/software systems do not always integrate well with desktop PC systems with Windows based operating systems
· Data recorders vary in their resilience to environmental extremes
Types of portable computers
There are a large number of data-recording, portable computers available on the market and specifications and configurations being constantly updated. Using terminology commonly used by developers and suppliers, there are generally four main types, with different specifications:
Device | Screen Size | Screen | Operating System | Memory | Processor | Data Storage | Weight | Data Input | Weather Resistance | Price |
Palm PC PDA
|
4-6” diagonal |
Colour or B/W |
Windows CE |
8-256 MB |
126 MHz – 416 MHz |
RAM, CF and PC card slots |
4-6oz |
Pen stylus |
Poor |
>$99 |
Pocket PC PDA
|
4-6” diagonal |
Colour or B/W |
Windows for Pocket PC
|
32-256 MB |
126 MHz – 416 MHz |
RAM, CF and PC card slots |
6-10oz |
Pen stylus |
Poor |
>$199 |
Handheld PC
|
2-3” diagonal |
B/W |
Windows CE, Linux
|
<256MB |
<400MHz |
RAM, CF and PC card slots |
1-3lbs |
Keyboard |
Excellent |
>$1,500 |
Notepad PC
|
4-6” diagonal |
Colour or B/W |
Windows for Pocket PC
|
<128MB |
<400MHz |
RAM, CF and PC card slots |
10-15oz |
Pen stylus |
Excellent |
>$1,700 |
Tablet PC
|
8-13” diagonal |
Colour |
Windows XP or earlier, Linux
|
<640 MB |
>1.1 GHz available |
Hard Drive, CF and PC card slots |
3-6 lbs |
Pen Stylus or touch screen |
Excellent |
$1,200 - $5,000 |
Suppliers of portable computers
Amrel | Tablet PCs
| 3445 Fletcher Ave. El Monte, CA 91731, United States Tel:+44 626 443 6818 E-mail:amrel@amrel.com http://www.amrel.com
|
Compaq/HP | iPAQ Pocket PCs from $450 Tablet PCs from $1,600
| http://www.compaq.com |
Fujitsu
| Tablet PCs from $1,200
| http://www.fujitsupc.com |
Xplore Technologies Corp.
| Tablet PCs from $2,000 · Produce mobile PCs with specifications comparable to desktops. · Strategic R&D relationship with Microsoft, to develop appropriate software for tablet PCs
| KONE Building, Keilasatama 3, 02150 Espoo, Finland. Tel:+358 9 2510 7290 Fax:+358 9 2510-7291 Email: international@xploretech.com http://www.xploretech.com
|
GeoAstor | Tablet PCs
| GeoAstor AG, Oberdorfstrasse 8, CH-8153 Rümlang, Germany. Tel.:+41 1 817 90 10 Fax.:+41 1 817 90 11 E-mail: info@geoastor.ch http://www.geoastor.ch
|
Itronix
| Handheld computers from $2,000 Tablet PCs from $2,500
| Itronix House, Earlplace Business Park, Fletchamstead Highway, Coventry, West Midlands CV4 9UR, United Kingdom
Tel.:+44 2476 714800
Fax:+44 2476 715677 http://www.itronix.co.uk
|
Intermec
| Handheld computers from $1,600 Tablet PCs from $2,500 Pen Notepad PCs from $1,700 PDAs from $2,000
| 6001 36th Avenue West, Everett, WA 98203-1264, United States
Tel:+1 425 348 2726
Fax:+1 425 355 9551 E-mail: info@intermec.com http://www.intermec.com
|
Tripod Data Systems | Handheld computers: The Ranger from $2,700 The Recon from $1,500
| Tripod Data Systems, P.O Box 947, Corvallis, OR 97339, United States Tel: +1 541 753 9322 Fax:+1 541 757 7439 E-mail: online
http://www.tdsway.com
|
Walkabout | Tablet PCs from $2,000 | WalkAbout Computers, Inc., 1501 Northpoint Parkway, Suite 103-104, West Palm Beach, FL 33407, United States Tel: +1 561 712 1200 E-mail: info@walkabout-comp.com http://www.walkabout-comp.com
|
Types of software solutions
The key issues identified for choosing a GIS software solution are:
1. Ease of GPS integration with GIS software. This form of data input is a primary feature in most softwares.
2. Straightforward user interface. The interface can often be custom designed by the user for ease-of-use in the field.
3. Extensibility – the ability to customise the capability of the software through programming.
4. Ease of desktop GIS integration. Most software provides an export function for the common vector file formats, as well as desktop software that facilitates the process.
Portable GIS Software – for both Windows and Windows CE operating systems
§ ArcPad http://www.esri.com
§ ArcView http://www.esri.com
§ CMT http://www.cmtinc.com
§ iMAP http://www.sokkia.com/Products/GPSGIS.htm
§ PenMap http://www.condorearth.com
§ Solo CE http://www.tdsway.com/soloce/index.html
Background and further reading
bridges.org. 2003. Evaluation of the SATELLIFE PDA project 2002, testing the use of hand-held computers for healthcare in Ghana, Uganda and Kenya.
MIKE. 2004. Cybertracker versus ArcPad: a technical review comparing both systems (in the context of MIKE forest elephant population surveys)
Kerns. 2002. Taking GIS/Remote Sensing into the Field.