Getting Started with GPS
Here are some resources that can be used to get started using handheld GPS technology. These materials were originally put together for a half-day workshop with some University of Rhode Island Master Gardeners.
These materials have been designed for people looking to get started with GPS technology. Here we cover GPS basics, GPS accuracy and then some basics on using Garmin GPSmap 60CSx handheld GPS units to collect waypoints and tracks.
GPS User Guide – Garmin GPSmap 60CSx (Power Point)
*These materials were modified and updated from existing Power Points provided by the University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension. You can download the original presentations from their website.
Some additional useful resources were also developed to assist with moving collected GPS data off the GPS and into Google Earth, and getting started using ArcGIS Online as a way to view, edit and share data.
Garmin GPSmap 60CSx Field “Cheat Sheet” (PDF)
Google Earth:
Garmin GPSmap 60CSx to Google Earth (PDF)
Garmin eTrex to Google Earth (PDF)
Additional Resources for GPS Use (PDF) – below find the contents of this document
System Requirements:
PC – Windows XP, Windows Vista, or Windows 7
Mac – Mac OS X 10.6.0 or later
Peter August NRS 522 Supplemental Video Lectures
Garmin to ArcGIS Online, Part 1 – a basic introduction on how to use ArcGIS Online
Garmin to ArcGIS Online, Part 2 – how to import GPX files from your computer into ArcGIS Online
Environmental Data Center Blog Postings on Getting Started with ArcGIS Online
If I only had a map – how to create a free public account and the basics on map creation
Where in Rhode Island? – accessing and using RIGIS and RI Digital Atlas data in ArcGIS Online
ArcGIS Online – public profile – how to make your profile public so anyone can see your maps or data
How-to: Using our new ArcGIS Online-Hosted Map Services – how to find and add map services or RIGIS aerial imagery to your map
Editing Shapefiles: ArcGIS Online – how to edit a layer (shapefile, GPX) in ArcGIS Online
If you have any questions about these materials, please don’t hesitate to contact Erica Tefft from the Environmental Data Center.