Category:Trimble

The Trimble device lets you use GPS to record features in the field. TerraSync is the program on the device that is used for recording and managing GPS'd data. Pathfinder is the program on a desktop computer that is used in tandem with the device.

Advantages over the phone in your pocket[edit]

• It collects multiple measurements for each point feature(which requires standing still and waiting a bit) and averages/processes them to get better accuracy than a single reading would achieve.
• It lets you record line and polygon features by moving along the line/perimeter. It logs the vertices automatically based on either distance moved or time elapsed since the last point.
• Post-processing using known GPS base stations can be done to further improve accuracy
• It allows you to define different feature types with different attributes and you can fill them in, rather than just recording the spots in Google Maps (or what have you) and entering them into a feature later.

Disadvantages over the phone in your pocket[edit]

• weight
• cost
• old style touch screen (for most models the city currently has)

TerraSync Organization[edit]

The TerraSync software is organized under 5 different groups:

• Map
• Data
• Navigation
• Status
• Setup

99% of the time you will be using either Map or Data

Using TerraSync[edit]

• Create a dictionary that defines features you want to capture. Dictionaries are the schemas for data files
• Create a data file for storing the features you capture.
• Capture data
• View captured data
• Move the data to a PC for storage and further use/analysis.
• Use Pathfinder to correct the data.

Further Documentation[edit]

A 233 page guide is available from Trimble documents
The version is 4.10: TerraSync Getting Started Guide

A more brief guide, with much of the same information as this wiki: TerraSync Basic Manual