Personal Computer

CyberTracker software is installed on a Personal Computer and runs on Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows NT, Windows 2000
and Window XP. (Some of the earlier versions of Windows95 may not work).

Data can be exported to Macs as DBase files or Excel spread sheets, but a PC is still required to download, convert and export data.

The recommended and minimum requirements for the Base Station PC are given in Hardware.

Palm OS Handheld Computer (PDA)

Palm Computer

The Palm computer is a pocket-sized computer that allows you to enter and store information by writing on the screen with a stylus.

Palm m500 series

A stylish marriage of form and function, the Palm™ m515 handheld is perfect for today's tech-savvy professional. Whether you're managing contracts or your calendar, composing email or a Word-compatible doc, you'll get brilliant colour, simplicity and sophistication in one ultra-slim design.

Handspring Visor

Handspring's VISOR handheld offers a great product at a great entry-level price.

  • With VISOR, expansion is simple and versatile using Handspring's Springboard expansion slot. Springboard modules include a digital camera, games, backup, additional storage and more.
  • VISOR uses native USB to synchronize up to 4 times faster that the serial connector on the PalmIIIxe and m100.
  • VISOR uses the same popular Palm OS, but adds enhanced applications including Advanced Calculator, Date Book Plus and CityTime world clock.
  • VISOR comes with a larger, high-quality screen (2.375" x 2.375").
  • VISOR is Macintosh compatible out of the box, while the m100 and PalmIIIxe requires additional software and a separate adaptor at additional cost.
  • VISOR includes a built-in microphone for Springboard modules that use voice (such as VisorPhone, voice recorders, etc.)
  • VISOR gives you 2MB of RAM
  • VISOR is powered by two AAA batteries and the battery life is approximate two months
  • VISOR comes standard with USB HotSync cradle.

 

Global Positioning System

Magellan GPS Companion for the Palm m500 series

Add the powerful navigation capability of GPS to your PalmTM m500 with the Magellan® GPS CompanionTM. Sleek, lightweight and affordable, the GPS Companion combines the advantages of GPS technology with the award winning Rand McNallyTM StreetFinderTM navigation software, giving you a new level of confidence, safety and dependability to your business and recreational travels.

Magellan GPS Companion for the Visor

Magellan's GPS Companion is a 12-channel global positioning system receiver that attaches to the Handspring Visor handheld trough the Visor's Springboard expansion port. The GPS Companion provides GPS navigation information and detailed street maps of the entire United States. The information transferred is in standard NMEA 2.1 format and will work with many Palm OS GPS and mapping software applications.

The GPS Companion is powered by two AAA batteries for up to 10 hours of continuous use. Information from the Map Companion CD-ROM can be downloaded to the Handspring Visor from either a Windows or Macintosh platform.

Garmin GPS12 or Garmin GPS12XL

For use in tropical rain forests the CyberTracker has been tested with the Garmin GPS 12XL, which works well even under tree canopy. Under dense canopy in conditions of heavy rain and thick cloud cover it may sometimes be difficult to get a signal.

The Palm computer is connected to the GPS with a cable and CyberTracker automatically takes a GPS reading for every observation made (except for applications that do not require GPS readings).

IMPORTANT:

The Garmin GPS Interface setting must be NMEA/NMEA. Press Page until you get to the Main Menu, select Setup Menu, press Enter, select Interface, press Enter, select NMEA/NMEA and make sure it is set at 4800 baud, press Page untill you get back to the Main Menu.

Another GPS can be used if it has a serial port and provides the GPGGA sentence, an NMEA string which is an international standard most GPSs are capable of outputting. The baud rate needs to be set at 4800.

The Palm computer and the GPS are connected with a cable and the two units are held together with a canvas field case.

The selected Field Computer interface design is automatically downloaded from the PC to the Palm computer by pressing the HotSync button on the Palm cradle. Data collected with the Palm computer is automatically uploaded onto the PC in the same way.

The wiring diagram for the Palm-Garmin GPS integration is given in GPS Wiring Diagram.