GPS (Global Positioning System)

GPS (Global Positioning System) receivers use satellite data to calculate their location. Logger Pro can collect live latitude, longitude, altitude, speed, and direction data from a Vernier GPS Sensor. If using a Garmin GPS receiver (see the Vernier web site for a list of supported models), data can be collected in two ways:

• Live data collection: The Vernier or Garmin GPS is connected to the computer and Logger Pro is collecting data in real time.
• Remote data collection: Data are collected by the Garmin GPS in the field, and later imported into Logger Pro. The Vernier GPS cannot collect remotely unless connected to a LabQuest.

Collecting Live Data with Logger Pro

You can take a laptop computer outside with a GPS connected and collect data in real time.

1. Connect the GPS to the computer. (Garmin units will need to have the power turned on.)
2. Data collection is set to a rate of 1 sample per second for 3600 seconds by default. If you would like to change the sampling rate or duration, you can do so by choosing Data Collection from the Experiment menu. Note that the GPS cannot collect data faster than 1 sample per second. You can also change the data collection mode to Events with Entry or Selected Events by choosing Data Collection from the Experiment menu.
3. Click Collect to begin collecting data.

Remote Data Collection

1. You may want to collect data with your Garmin GPS receiver and import the data into Logger Pro at a later time.
2. Collect a Waypoint, Track, or Route on your Garmin GPS receiver. See the User's Manual for your GPS for detailed instructions. Note: Logger Pro will not import names assigned to waypoints, rather, it will import its default number. Also, if you wish to retrieve a Track with its associated times, do not save it. Times can be retrieved only from the Active Log.
3. Turn on your GPS and connect it to your computer.
4. Follow the on-screen directions.

Exporting GPS Data

After collecting or importing GPS data, you can export the data in two ways. Choose Export As from the File menu and then select one of the following options:

• GIS Format: Choosing this option saves the data as a tab delimited text file specially tailored for GIS software such as ArcGIS by ESRI. The file can then be imported into the GIS application as a table. Note: Some GIS applications have file name limitations. To avoid this problem, keep the file name to fewer than ten characters with no spaces.
• Google Map: Choose this option only if connected to the internet. You will be able to choose which columns to map and to make any annotations on individual data points. Click OK. Your browser will automatically launch Google Maps and the points will be plotted.