Hardware Guide
So you plan to buy some hardware to start mapping or enhance your current mapping? First, decide what kind of device(s) you need, then have a closer look at the available models. If you are not familiar with Photo mapping and Audio mapping, you may want to explore these before deciding on hardware which is unsuited for these techniques.
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Possible hardware combinations
This list may seem trivial, but there may be combinations that you did not think of before
- for GPS tracks
- mobile phone with integrated GPS
- mobile phone with external GPS (via bluetooth, serial cable)
- PDA with external GPS (via bluetooth, serial cable, usb)
- laptop / ultra portable pc / tablet pc with external gps (via bluetooth, serial cable, usb)
- GPS track logger (with or without display)
- GPS navigator
- Explorer's_Pal
- for geotagged photos
- digital camera
- mobile phone with camera
- PC / PDA with webcam
- for voice recording
- dictaphone (voice recorder with little tape or digital memory)
- most portable mp3 players
- most mobile phones
- MD player / recorder
- digital photo camera with microphone
- camcorder
- for graphical notes
- pen & paper
- pen & hand :)
- tablet pc
- for POI and house numbers
Closer look at some kinds of hardware
GPS devices
There is an extensive list of all kinds of GPS devices at GPS Reviews. Be sure to choose one that is compatible with the rest of your future equipment. If your GPS has a record feature of its own, it's the only mapping hardware you need!
Devices especially for OSM
There is not a lot of mobile hardware designed especially for OSM. The following list tries to provide an overview with the main features:
- Explorer's_Pal (still under development)
- GPS Receiver
- Store GPS Tracks
- House number logging function
- POI storage function
- JOSM plugin (planned feature)
Mobile phones
Before getting a new phone with integrated GPS, check if you can do it with your current phone and an external GPS, which will be cheaper. Even if your current phone is too old, usable phones are available from as low as $40 plus $30 or more for the GPS. Most phones can be excellent GPS recorders, and will have some limited ability to show maps of your current location. Don't expect too much of this.
No matter if you will have internal or external GPS, your phone should be able to run some GPS recording software. Have a look at Software/Mobilephones to get an overview. Most software is written in Java Mobile Edition, a.k.a. J2ME a.k.a. MIDP 2.0, but there are also some good "native" solution for Symbian, Windows Mobile, Android, Palm OS, iPhone, etc. devices.
If you plan using J2ME / MIDP software, be sure that your phone allows these programs access to bluetooth AND to the local file system. These features are popular, but not standard! For Sony Ericsson K600i and most of its successors will do, but older models like the T630 won't. If you want to be sure, check out this nice list and look for the column A midlet can use Bluetooth (JSR-82).
A word on memory usage: An hour of detailed GPS tracks may use up to 1 MB, often much less. If you plan to use your phone to take photos and/or voice recording, you will need much more. Modern phones are extensible through memory cards. Please note, that not all phones are able to do GPS / voice / photo recording at the same time. It may depend on the combination of model and your GPS software. For voice recording, be sure to get a headset.
PDA
For software, look at this list. Please add more information.
Laptop / Tablet PC / UPC
A laptop will be useful for mapping by car, but please do not try to use mouse or keyboard while driving! It can do what a GPS navigator can do, and much more. It will also record audio without problems. Maybe a cool solution for a mapping tour with a friend, if you drive and he maps in real time. For pedestrians and cyclists this just won't be practical, but possible: Take your laptop in your hand or rucksack and let it record. Please be sure it won't overheat in there. An old laptop may be available for $150.
Another alternative are tablet PCs and ultraportable PCs. These can be held in your hand and even be operated while walking. They may be as small as a PDA and feature Windows XP, Vista or a GNU/Linux system. On most of them, you can draw and write with a digital pen as well. While this is much too expensive for the sole purpose of mapping, they may be useful in other situations. Think of $500 to $2500 for one of these.
For software, look at this list, too.
Digital camera
While you mostly will not buy a camera especially for photo mapping purposes, there are some things to think about when buying one anyway: If is has a microphone, maybe you can use it as a Dictacam. If it has a good video feature, you may use it like a camcorder to record your tours including video and audio. And if you try to make photos from bike or car while you drive, it should have an image stabilizer and a good (low) aperture and high ISO values, because both mean short exposure times which means less motion blur. And do the test: can it be unpacked, turned on, a picture been taken, turned off and packed again - all this with one hand, under shaking conditions and without taking all your attention to do this? This will be a k.o. criteria for most cameras if you plan to use it on your bike or car.
Dictaphone / MD recorder / MP3 recorder
Most players can record, but not all. If they can record, some only record WAV, which means your memory will be filled up rather soon. Some MP3 players allow you to connect a mic or headset, which also helps you. Before buying, check the recording feature of your mobile phone.
Camcorder
A camcorder is a portable consumer electronics device for recording video and audio using a built-in recorder unit.
A key issue in OSMapping is battery life camcorder battery When you undertake a journey, you'd better bring two batteries with you, or get a high capacity battery.
For documentation of events, the field of view can overlay items such as time and date of the recording. Compass direction at time of recording and geographical coordinates may also be possible.
