GPS Kits

The Government Publications/Maps/Law Library has available eight Garmin Oregon 300 GPS kits for use by Johns Hopkins student, faculty and staff.  GPS units are configured to collect and download of “waypoints” to a computer for display with Geographic Information System (GIS) software.  

GPS Kits Include:

Garmin Oregon 300 GPS unit

o    basic map with world coverage  

o   2 “AA” batteries installed

•          Device /USB cable
•          Carrying clip
•          Owner’s Manual on CD-Rom
•          Carrying Case w/strap

Loan Periods:

•          The standard loan period for a GPS kit is 7 days.
•          The GPS kits cannot be renewed online.
•          Check-out and return is ONLY available at the GPML reference desk during 
           the following hours:
  
  Monday – Friday 8:30 A.M. – 5:00 P.M.
  Late fees are $3.00 per day

Reserving GPS kits:

• Equipment is checked-out on a first come basis.
• Call the GPML reference desk to see if a kit is available or to be added to a waiting list.
• Faculty members needing to reserve all eight kits for class use should call the GPML reference desk at least two weeks in advance.

Lost or Damaged Kits:

o   GPS kits users are responsible for any lost or damage to the GPS unit or accessories.  Charges will be based on replacement cost up to a maximum of $450.00.

Additional Maps for GPS Available:

In addition to the base map that comes loaded on the Oregon 300 Units, the GPML library will soon have available for separate checkout:

•           Garmin TOPO 2008
  (1:100,000 topo map coverage of the U.S.)

•           Garmin City Navigator
  (detailed street map coverage for major metropolitan areas in North America)

Helpful Resources:

User Manual for Garmin Oregon Series GPS   
http://www8.garmin.com/manuals/Oregon200-WW_OwnersManual.pdf

Quick Reference Guide for Garmin Oregon Series GPS
http://www8.garmin.com/manuals/Oregon200_QuickReferenceGuide.pdf

DNR Garmin (Minnesota Department of Natural Resources)
http://thoreau.dnr.state.mn.us/mis/gis/tools/arcview/Training/WebHelp/Training.htm#DNRExt/dnrgarmin43/GPSIntro.htm  

Learn about this free GPS/GIS software utility. Also, try these Exercises.

Downloading GPS Waypoints:

Garmin saves collected “waypoints” in a GPX file format.  For visualizing your data on a map we recommend two options for exporting your data to GIS:

I.  For the novice with no ArcGIS experience:

o   Download to your computer ArcExplorer, a free map viewer from ESRI Inc.                        http://www.esri.com/software/arcexplorer/download.html

o   Via a USB drive, connect the Garim GPS unit to your computer.

o   Open ArcExplorer

§  Under the Tools tab, select Import File and GPX as the file type.

§  Navigate to the USB drive where the Garmin unit is attached.

II. For the experienced GIS user:

o   Bring your waypoints into ArcGIS

o   Download DNRGarmin 5.4.1 extension

o   Via a USB drive, connect the Garim GPS unit to your computer.

o   Follow these procedures to download waypoints, screen shots are what should appear on your computer:

     Be sure GPS is ON and connected to your computer.

Downloading Within ArcMap

Open DNR Garmin:


                   (notice connection to Oregon 300…)

Choose from Main Menu what you would like to download (Waypoint, Track, or Route) and click Download

This will download from the current folder.

Save Waypoints to shapefile:

File / Save to / ArcMap / Shapefile layer…

Browse to where you want your data stored.