GPS - I'm clueless and need to do something - Help!

[GeekDrew]

My parents decided that they want to have a maze in one of the fields this year... a few of their friends were very successful with it, so they want to get in on the fun. As usual.

So, they've going to draw a maze, on paper. I'm supposed to find a way to get the maze from the paper to the field. I asked one of the other farmers that does this, and he said to look into using a GPS unit to tell you what direction to mow in (I'll be mowing this field with some kind of mower, to create the pattern).

Does anyone have any idea where I should even begin to do this? I haven't the slightest idea what I'm doing. What am I looking for in a GPS unit? Are there any good ones? How do I tell it to direct me in this specific pattern, so I can determine where I need to be mowing, in the field?

Errhmmmm.... help?!?

 

[Bootprint]

Wouldn't drawing it out and using rope as the length markers be easier.

 

[Ramma2]

Originally posted by: Bootprint
Wouldn't drawing it out and using rope as the length markers be easier.

That would work really well. Draw the maze on grid paper, then let 1 square equal 5 or 10 feet or something. Then just use a rope to measure the cuts.

 

[GeekDrew]

I've heard some farmers say that they've done that before, and talked to one of them... he said that he started using GPS to do it, and he'll never do it any other way, now.

 

[Bootprint]

After seeing these, I can see why you'd use a gps. Not your old fashion simples mazes.

 

[GeekDrew]

Originally posted by: Bootprint
After seeing these, I can see why you'd use a gps. Not your old fashion simples mazes.

Yeah... the farmers I'm talking about have mazes of that caliber... sometimes smaller, but that is the kind of maze I'm talking about

 

[zerocool1]

Originally posted by: Bootprint
After seeing these, I can see why you'd use a gps. Not your old fashion simples mazes.

that's crazy

 

[IronWing]

How I would do it:

1) Get a GPS unit with map display and upload/download capability (Garmin GPSMap, Rino, or similar unit).
2) Buy the mapping software (MapSource or similar)
3) Learn to use the GPS unit.
4) Take waypoints of the corners of the field where you want to mow the maze. If the field is odd shaped then use a tracklog of the boundary instead.
5) Load the waypoints/tracklog into the mapping software.
6) Draw the path of your maze in the mapping software, keeping within the boundary of the field. Keep in mind the general accuracy of your GPS unit so that you don't make the spaces between the maze paths too narrow.
7) Load the maze route/track onto the GPS unit.
8) On a clear day with really good sky, go out and mow the maze, using the gps display as a guide. Zoom in so you can see that you are on track.

 

[harrkev]

All modern GPS units have the same level of accuracy. I doubt that you will find more than 2-3 feet of difference between models.

If you will use a GPS just for this, then get the cheapest that will work. If, on the other hand, you want something more general purpose, then you can start shopping and having fun. I am parital to the Garmin 60 series. If my Meridian ever dies, I will get one of those.

 

[mercanucaribe]

Originally posted by: harrkev
All modern GPS units have the same level of accuracy. I doubt that you will find more than 2-3 feet of difference between models.

If you will use a GPS just for this, then get the cheapest that will work. If, on the other hand, you want something more general purpose, then you can start shopping and having fun. I am parital to the Garmin 60 series. If my Meridian ever dies, I will get one of those.

http://gpsinformation.net/mgoldreview/sportrak-color.html

The Sportrak Color appears to repeat the SporTrack Pro's good accuracy with WAAS enabled. In a test over a GPS reference point with SA Watch (HERE), the Color was able to achieve an accuracy of 0.8m 95% of a 32-minute test period made in the open. The average error was 0.6m@191°. The maximum error after breaking the position-averaging lock was 1.5m.

 

[Squisher]

Originally posted by: Bootprint
After seeing these, I can see why you'd use a gps. Not your old fashion simples mazes.

These people have too much time on their hands.

 

[GeekDrew]

Originally posted by: Squisher

Originally posted by: Bootprint
After seeing these, I can see why you'd use a gps. Not your old fashion simples mazes.

These people have too much time on their hands.

No, the tourists that pay to get lost in the mazes are the people that have too much time on their hands.