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Using cartography with GPS
If you have a GPS unit that is capable of displaying or navigating based
on a map then, sooner or later, you are going to become involved in
cartography of some kind. Even if it is only to load a new map that has
been provided by the manufacturer. The science of cartography relates to
GPS in that it provides the basic way that the unit translates things
that it knows onto something that a human can recognize.
In fact, without being able to encode a map into a digital format, so
that it can be placed on the GPS unit, it would be impossible to do any
form of navigation. Even the act of setting locations with respect to
the current location of the unit requires a certain amount of
cartography, even if it is only to locate the position relative to a
coordinate system which everyone can understand.
Of course, the end goal of using cartography and the related techniques
in association with GPS technology is to provide the unit with a link
between its position in space and the real world. This enables it to
make intelligent guesses as to the terrain that might be encountered, or
the presence of a road or other man made feature.
It is also worth having a piece of software at your disposal that can
apply the principles of cartography to build a digital map from one that
you scan in. This is particularly useful if you are able to load a map
into your GPS unit, and have one that covers the area you will be
visiting.
For more information on related products and services, please choose
from the following menu of items.
GPS
Maps /
Software
Tracking
About The Author:
Guy Lecky-Thompson is a successful author and publisher at
www.1st-at-gps-tracking.com. Recommending gps equipment and associated
products
02-07-04
