Mi-GPS is helping Dow Corning begin an asset data collection and asset management project at their world headquarters in Midland MI. Dow Corning contacted Mi-GPS and asked to help them find a GPS and GIS solution for their on site utility infrastructure. Mi-GPS and Dow Corning settled on an integrated solution from TopCon and ESRI.Dow CorningMi-GPS

Dow Corning is using a TopCon GRS1 connected to the Michigan DOT CORS network, and ESRI ArcGIS for desktop editing. They will use ArcPad for field data collection to locate with survey accuracy the locations of utilities, roadways, and railroads throughout their 500 acre plant. Attributes of data collected in the field will be imported and edited using ArcMap and ArcPad, and a physical representation of the plants infrastructure can be drawn and used for informational and modeling purposes. This will be beneficial in; locating underground utilities during an emergency situation, accessing utility and infrastructure information rapidly, providing detailed drawings of the plant with coordinates and elevations, and exporting information into flow modeling programs to simulate flows and pressures for various underground utility networks for modeling of current and future demands/impacts.

This is the first of hopefully many Field Reviews of the equipment we recommend. For our first, intrepid data collection specialist Kyle reviews the MobileMapper 100 using GPS with SBAS.

1. Screen size

3.5" Portrait, the screen size of the MobileMapper100 is extremely large at 3.5 inch portrait display allowing for a large viewing area, even when the zoom bar is displayed.

2. Weight

The Receiver with battery weighs nearly 1.5 pounds which may be a bit hefty but when you consider the device's durability, screen size and power, is not much of a burden in the field.

3. GPS Performance

The MobileMapper100 uses the US GPS satellites with the SBAS differential feed which is extremely accurate. I have lost the signal a handful of times daily but that occurs when I am underneath decks and patios or walkout basements when standing next to cement walls. I have lost signal on occasion when in the valleys of Tennessee but have stood at one specific location for no more than two to three minutes waiting for signal acquisition.

4. Battery Life

The Li-Lon battery in which powers the MobileMapper100 has a running time of nearly eight hours depending on how many times you turn your GPS on and off. I feel very comfortable using the device for nearly a half hour after the low battery warning flashes. It takes only moments to change batteries, reboot, and return to data collection. I often work in the field for eleven of twelve hours at a time so I always carry a spare. The three of four hour recharge time is well worth it considering how much operating time in which that provides.

5. Processing Speed/Processor Performace

I can't recall an instance in the field when the MobileMapper100 processed more slowly than I could type or enter data. Opening and closing programs is extremely efficient, similar to the kind of power I feel when I open and close software on a newer laptop. The 3M camera gives a clean and crisp image but does take five or six seconds to open.

6. Summary

I have been collecting data with the MobileMapper100 for three or four months now, and have few complaints about this particular device. As a new user, this device leaves room for error when typing and capturing points. Some may prefer a device that is lighter, but I feel a sense of security when climbing hills and crawling through and underneath fences. I am immediately aware when the device has slipped out of my pocket. On several occasions, I have dropped the device in standing water, or even mud, and she still keeps on kicking. In the rain, water builds up near the bottom of the display and I have never had any screen or speaker problems. Rain or snow, warm or cold, the MobileMapper100 is extremely reliable and it would be hard to imagine using any other device.

The awaited upgrade to the Mobile Mapper 6, the Mobile Mapper 10, is scheduled to start shipping mid-summer. Ashtech had several goals in mind when developing the MM10. First they wanted to make sure to keep an open platform that is cost effective but also adds connectivity options to the device. It was also important to bring Ashtech's expertise of enhancing consumer based technology (in this case the MM6 and MM10's use of the SiRF GPS chip) to increase the accuracy of both the real time and post processed GPS output. Then they set out to package it in a rugged device that can stand up to professional use.

There are many imporvements over the MM6. The Mobile Mapper 10 has a 600 Mhz processor running Windows Mobile 6.5, it feels more like a phone than a GPS data collector. The computer uses 128MB of RAM for processing, and has 256MB of Flash RAM for storage. Of course, you can expand the storage to 8GB when using a MicroSD Card. The biggest improvement over the MM6 is the screen size, which is now a 3.5 inch QVGA. Added to the MM10 is also a GSM/GPRS modem for internet connection through AT&T and it also has wifi built in to use with hot spots. The SiRF GPS chip will also output a 1-2 meter position in real time and post process down to better than a half meter.

Mi-GPS testing lab is looking forward to getting this and start some testing. We may even have one to show at the upcoming IMAGIN conference. We are looking at a way to upgrade existing Mobile Mapper 6 users as easy possible. In the meantime, here is a link to the brochure.