my thoughts about adding GPS to a metal detector....

[Jason in Enid]

Keep the comments and ideas coming. The pad and pen idea would be much better than what I am currently doing which is using MeMoRY! Yeah, trying to memorize over one hundred finds from many different locations and their exact spots can be a real teaser. Especially if you are trying to add all of them to the Xchange2 application much later say like three or four months later. Reason why is because I know I can do it and procrastinate until it piles up.

The GPS feature does lack accuracy over half the time when it comes down to feet. I can go in on the Xchange2 application to try and fine-tune a FP to see it is usually nine through twenty feet away from where it was really found. I have read somewhere that is a common thing with satellite data and accuracy due to laws mandated by the government for security purposes. With all that said, I have to say even though the technology is outdated, It can still be very useful in helping zone in to areas of interests or to just look over your metal detecting history. Get a little creative and it can be used for other helpful reasons too.

The accuracy is a limitation of all consumer level GPS, it's why they are so cheap. You can get millimeter accuracy if you want to spend 10K+ on it. Those are the units survey companies use. It has nothing to do with security.

One trick I have found is marking my parking spot. I will park in a particular spot that is able to be cross-referenced on the satellite map. Then I see how accurate that spot is to true. If I need to move it 10 feet SE, then I move all my finds 10 feet SE. Although, the majority of the time it's spot on.

 

[AngelicStorm]

The accuracy is a limitation of all consumer level GPS, it's why they are so cheap. You can get millimeter accuracy if you want to spend 10K+ on it. Those are the units survey companies use. It has nothing to do with security.

One trick I have found is marking my parking spot. I will park in a particular spot that is able to be cross-referenced on the satellite map. Then I see how accurate that spot is to true. If I need to move it 10 feet SE, then I move all my finds 10 feet SE. Although, the majority of the time it's spot on.

That should be fairly easy for me to do since I have to come off of landmarks on my day to day job. Yet another great idea. Thanks for clarifying.

 

[glenn3-88]

When I load my finds in my laptop, I have the football field lines, baseball field stands, paved walkways to
verify accuracy of each find. So far, I have not had a problem with the gps being off ANY. Not even a foot.
However, I have noticed on my phone and my garmin that was in my old truck, the navigation system in my
new one all load the signal strength to the max level quickly. In other words, I am getting a strong full signal
almost within 1 minute of turning my CTX on and I think that is the reason mine has been so accurate when
downloaded to the laptop. Yesterday I found a quarter between the guide wire and light pole at Mullins High
School. When I downloaded it, it placed it almost exactly where I found it. Couldn't have been more than 1.5
feet off. SO FAR THAT'S THE WAY IT HAS BEEN. I know every doesn't have or even like an iphone but the
method I mentioned earlier is very quick and simple for me. The pencil and pad would be as fast and a lot cheaper.