Lab 5: Using a Bluetooth GPS with an iOS Device

Introduction

More and more often, GPS units and other geographic equipment are compatible with or dependent on cell phones, laptops, and tablets as an interface tool. The two devices connect via Bluetooth. Purchasable applications are faster and cheaper to update than a GPS unit. This lab explores some of the GIS/Mapping apps compatible with the Bad Elf GPS, pictured in figure 1. 

Figure 1: Bad Elf GPS

I do not have an iOS device, so I could not download the Bad Elf GPS App, nor did I have an opportunity to explore the App. Based on its website, the App can manage your trip (data collected with the GPS), and display it over a basemap (even without an internet connection). It can record and map changes in altitude, distance, and speed, and perform a variety of other functions.

There are a variety of other Apps compatible with Bad Elf, all of which can be found on the Bad Elf website, see Figure 2. 

Figure 2: Navigating to Compatible Apps. Solutions > Compatible Apps.

The table below lists and describes some of the many interesting compatible apps.

Compatible App	Key Features
Collector	Use maps anywhere to ground truth your data, make observations, and respond to events. You'll improve the efficiency of your field workforce and the accuracy of your GIS. Features: -          Collect and update data using the map or GPS (even in the background) -          Download maps to your device and work offline -          Collect points, lines, areas, and related data -          Fill out easy-to-use, map-driven forms -          Attach photos to your features -          Use professional-grade GPS receivers -          Search for places and features -          Track and report where you've been -          Integrate with Navigator for ArcGIS -          Integrate with Workforce for ArcGIS https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/collector-for-arcgis/id589674237?mt=8
Survey 123	Survey123 for ArcGIS is a simple form-centric data collection GIS app. Using your ArcGIS organizational account you will be able to login into the app and download any forms that may have been shared with you. Once a form is downloaded, you will be able to start collecting data. If working offline, your completed forms will be saved locally. https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/survey123-for-arcgis/id993015031?mt=8
GIS4Mobile	GIS4Mobile is the most flexible and user friendly way to connect you enterprise GIS with workers in the field. Inspections, documentation, data-collections and registration - all is possible with GIS4Mobile. Data you collect is stored on our safe servers. It is possible to connect your own private storage, and it is possible to synchronize you GIS data with the collected field data. And remember - getting help from GIS4Mobile is free of charge. https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/gis4mobile-x/id1080570270?mt=8
Theodolite	Theodolite HD is a multi-function viewfinder for iPad and iPad mini that combines a compass, two-axis inclinometer, rangefinder, GPS, map, nav calculator, tracker, and geo-tag photo/movie camera into one indispensable app. Uses are endless, and the app is great for hiking, boating, hunting, golf, outdoor sports, sightseeing, navigation, and finding your way around. Theodolite is used extensively by surveyors, geologists, architects, engineers, competitive sportsmen, first responders, military personnel, and search and rescue workers around the world. https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/theodolite-hd/id425456242?mt=8
Gaia GPS	Plan trips and stay safer in the woods, with Gaia GPS. Used by hundreds of thousands of backpackers, hunters, offroaders, firefighters, guides, and other serious outdoor adventurers and professionals, Gaia GPS offers the best outdoor maps and navigation tools. Features -          import and export GPX/KML files, by iTunes, Safari, DropBox, and email -          download worldwide topo, road, and satellite maps -          display all of your tracks, routes, areas, and waypoints on the map
Galileo Offline Maps	Go offline anywhere you want — offline vector maps and offline search for your better travel experience. Record your GPS tracks, bookmark your favorite locations and sync them between your devices. Features -          Works in variety of ways – by object name, category or even by GPS coordinates. -          Monitor your real-time speed, distance and time traveled, as well as altitude right on the map during the trip. -          Finds objects in multiple languages – this will make your searching much easier than ever. -          No internet connection required. -          Record your trips and export them as KML/GPX files.
Fog of World App	Fog of World is a real-life game that you need to remove the fog on the map by exploring the world. It's a fantastic way to visualize everywhere you have been in your entire life. Features -          Records your tracks (even when the app running in the background). -          Shows everywhere you have been on the map at the same time. -          Analyses your statistics around the world, around every continent, and around every country and territory. -          Lots of badges to motivate you to explore more around the world. -          Support for Importing tracks through GPX or KML files. -          - Support for syncing your data with iCloud or Dropbox.
Maps.Me	Free, fast, detailed and entirely offline maps with turn-by-turn navigation. Use driving, walking and cycle navigation anywhere in the world. Maps are updated by millions of OpenStreetMap contributors daily. OSM is an open-source alternative to Google Maps and Apple Maps. Save locations you love and share them with your friends. *As a side note, I used this App while traveling China, where google maps was not optimized and my only internet access was coffee shop WiFi* https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/maps.me-offline-map-navigation/id510623322?mt=8

Methods

Once the Bad Elf GPS and cell phone are connected via bluetooth, we hit the start logging button on the GPS. Then we went for a 10 minute walk around campus, and turned off the logging function. In the cell phone on the Bad Elf App we downloaded our "trip". It was very easy to click on and share our trip via email, in a variety of formats. I imported the trip into ArcMap and made a map, as shown in figure 3.

Discussion

As mentioned in the introduction, more and more geospatial data collection instruments are moving in a direction of cell phone compatibility. Cellphone, tablet, and computer companies are focused on the advancement of their product, which is rapid and leaving two-year-old products obsolete. Geospatial data collection companies cannot keep up, so they have teamed up. Companies are making cellphone and tablet applications that are compatible with their GPS units to function as the interface platform. This is good for the geographer who can carry around less equipment and spend less money on technology upgrades.

Figure 3: Me at the Great Wall of China. I used Maps.Me to navigate through Bejing and Chengdu without internet, or Google Maps, which is blocked there.