Objective

A mobile device such as iPhone became very popular. And many Apps of field survey has been developed. However, Garmin GPS such as e-trex series is still useful in many countries. So, in this tutorial, again we are going to check how to use Garmin GPS from preparation to field survey.

Step 1 Check current settings and change it.

1. Battery, GPS condition and Date and Time

Push the light button. Then you can see the current status. When you use your mobile phone to take photos with coordinates. Please check the date and time are the same.

Left Garmin e-trex10, Right iPhone. . When you use your mobile phone to take photos with coordinates. Please check the date and time are the same.

2. Correction signal settings

Push Back(change the screen to see Setup)
Select Setup > System > Satellite system > Select GPS+GLONASS(Just in case)
Select Setup > System > Select WAAS/EGNOS (Just in case) > ON

Correction signal settings

3. Check the status of the received satellite

Push light button to see the satellite condition
Detail > Push Back(change the screen to see Setup) > Select Satellite
Check GPS accuracy: The picture shows 2m

Check the status of the received satellite

4. Change the formats of time and position

Time and Time zone: 24 hours > Push Back(change the screen to see Setup) > Select Setup > Time > Enter > Select 24-Hours > Quit
If your clock is not correct, please change Time Zone.

If you have night time survey, use 24-Hour not to confuse day and night.

Position Format > Push Back(change the screen to see Setup) > Select Setup > Position Format > Enter > Map Datum and Map Spheroid should be WGS84 > Position Format should be your familiar format

Position Format

5. Change the unit

Unit > Push Back(change the screen to see Setup) > Select Setup > Unit > Change the unit which you want to use ;

Unit of distance and speed. Metric are recommended

Step 2 Clean up the GPS data on your GPS

Notice! Please backup before you delete the GPS data.

1. Delete tracks

Push Back(change the screen to see Setup) > Select Track Manager > Current Track > Save Track(It will be stored in Archive) or  Clear Current Track > Yes

Clear Current Track

2. Delete waypoints

Delete all waypoints
Push Back(change the screen to see Setup) > Select Waypoint Manager > Menu > Delete All
Delete a selected waypoint
Push Back(change the screen to see Setup) > Select Waypoint Manager  > select a waypoint > Menu > Delete

Delete waypoints

Step 3 Data Collection

Track

1. Track  Settings

Push Back(change the screen to see Setup)  > Select Setup > Track > Change the Record method (Auto is OK)

2. Record On or OFF

please select Record, Show on Map. Then Track log will be recorded automatically when you turn on. But if don’t need to record, select Do Not Record.

Very important. Don’t forget this function.

Waypoint

1. Normal waypoint

You must check the accuracy of GPS from Satellite menu(See Step 1 – 3) before you get waypoints.
Push Back(change the screen to see Setup)  > Select Map >> Long push the button located above the screen) > Select Done > push the button(Below)

Or Averaging waypoint (if you want to get a reliable point)

Push Back(change the screen to see Setup)   > Waypoint Averaging > Create Waypoint > then averaged location will be calculated > Save

Way point Averaging

2. Take notes of your survey

Please take notes according to ID of waypoint not to lose your important information. Of course, Garmin GPS has a function to take notes. However, it may take time more than hand writing.

An example of field note.

3. Take photos with GPS function

Please take photos by your mobile around a waypoint. Photos taken by a mobile device, they usually have a GPS location information. If your mobile device does not have a GPS function, don’t worry about that. You can add GPS location of Garmin GPS to Photos according to the time that photos are taken.