Gathering Information from a Laptop GPS
Connect, Process and Analyze Information from a Laptop GPS
There are times when you would want to collect information from your GPS and store it on your computer to analyze and process it for various applications that make use of such data. All it takes is a cable to connect with the laptop plus some software to read the GPS data and what better way to connect than with a laptop GPS. One such software is Windmill COMIML and another is Windmill LabIML, both of which are sold by Windmill Software Ltd.
So what are the instances that warrant having a laptop GPS? Some situations demand GPS measurements and these are especially useful in computerized systems, and one handy option is to use a laptop GPS. Some of the free software that is available, like Windmill LabIML, is being used by marine biologists to map coral reefs. There are also train companies who use Windmill COMIML to monitor, through their GPS receivers connected to a laptop GPS, how and if their trains skid on leaves or ice.
Others who use a laptop GPS are divers for logging information about the topography beneath their boats. Most of the software needed is free of cost and all that is required is a GPS receiver, sonar for measuring depth, a laptop GPS that has a Windows Operating System plus software to collect data and some plastic bags to keep it all dry. Being portable allows divers to use it on their boats and the data that is collected can immediately be sent to mapping software or to other applications such as spreadsheets.
If you add COM ports on the laptop, you may also be able to add temperature sensors, salinometres or current metres and get 3D images of the sea floor as also superimpose water conditions, in next to no time.
For those who want to use their laptop GPS system for something less complicated, they can find enough information through this means to help navigate when on the move or on an outdoor excursion into places where finding the right direction may become a bit difficult.
Using the laptop GPS is no great whoop and all it takes is to install the software and plug the GPS receiver into the laptop via its USB port. The GPS mapping software that usually comes along with GPS systems is similarly easy to install and after that, it just remains to configure the laptop GPS for optimal settings before embarking on a trip or adventure.