Mapping Sofware

[KenB1656]

Looking for some advice on mapping software for a woodlot.

We purchased a couple cut-over woodlots about 12 years ago, total 500+ ac in Mid-Coast Maine. We are planning a small harvest this winter, I met with a forester  etc. However the old laptop just died so I going to start fresh, not that I lost all that much, I've never really gotten organized.

I am using a Duall 150 GPS with bluetooth connected to an Android table in the woods. It's running a Topo program which includes google earth.

Any suggestions on a good, simple mapping program? Looking to measure area, bearings, distances etc.

[clearcut]

Good - QGIS (free and open source)
Simple - Not QGIS There is a learning curve involved. Lots of good tutorial and videos available.

An interesting online solution is CalTopo.com. It can measure area, bearings, and distances and import data from a GPS (GPX or KML). It integrates topos with aerial images and shaded relief.

[KenB1656]

Thanks for the reply clearcut.

I managed to partially resurrect the old lap top. I did download QGIS but never used it. It's a bit  overwhelming, perhaps worthwhile as a long term project.

Never seen CalTopo. Looks like it's worth a look.

Last time I used any mapping software was 2011, I was using Global Mapper V8.3. It took a while to just learn the basics but I was able to convince a neighbor where the line was  by printing out the an aerial with  town property map lines matching up to the old fields.

Global Mapper is up to v 16 now. IIRC I paid about $300 for it. Not sure about my next move. Global Mapper has lots of powerful features but I found it hard to use.

[WV Mountaineer]

I use terrian navigator.  Not sure if that will apply where you live but it allows custom made maps and does all the measuring you request.  It comes in a disk set and works well.  Also, if you buy the online photo app that comes free the first year, you can over lay maps and such.  Like a decent GIS program allows.  It isn't free but, it is a lifetime purchase so, if you own 550 acres, I could easily see where the $350 investment is worth it.  Heck, you could even right it OFF!  God Bless

[ashes]

Thanks for pointing out the QGIS software. I had never heard of it.

I use Arcmap at the office, but I wanted something for the home, and I didn't want to pay for Arcmap at home. I have only messed around with QGIS a little so far, but it seems very similar to Arcmap/gis. I really like the fact that there is support for it that is fairly easy to understand.

There are free vector and raster layers that can be downloaded for free to help with the mapping process. Most are government funded sources, but not all. I will look up the addresses if anyone is interested in them.

[clearcut]

You are welcome.

QGIS is a a version or two behind ArcGIS and the interface is less consistent, but people are performing very complex analysis using this software.

QGIS Tip #1 - Pay careful attention to the CRS (Coordinate Reference System) that you use and be consistent within a project. Most of the problems that I have had with QGIS are related to conflicting CRS.

QGIS Tip # 2 - Many states have useful GIS layers for downloading - regulatory boundaries in particular. Just search for the StateName GIS. Most have a .gov address.

QGIS Tip # 3 - The USDA - NRCS Geospatial Data Gateway (GDG) is a good resource for environmental and natural resources data. Useful for base layers like topography, aerial imagery, soils and such.

     https://gdg.sc.egov.usda.gov

[fromkaro]

Hi Guys,
I used to work for Forestry Commission Scotland and use ArcMap in a workplace,
definitely best choice if you need some kind of long term support and tons of documentation online - unfortunately it's not a cheap option.

At the moment I am working as an environmental surveyor and to minimize the cost I have started to use qGIS as well to post process the field data and I have to say that current versions are almost as good as ArcMap and you can do most common GIS analysis using it.

To gather the data in the field I am using Android app called MapIt - GIS Data Collector, it's free but to get it fully functional you need to pay for the extension. It supports points, lines and polygon layers and the data can be easily exported to number of formats.