GeoLogger™ FAQs

Basic Information

Troubleshooting

 

Basic Information

Q: How many points can the GeoLogger™ store?
A: The capacity of the GeoLogger™ is 8MB, which is equivalent to approximately 466,000 points. Depending on the configuration you chose (such as the zero speed screen and the logging frequency), this could yield months of data collection before storage capacity is reached. For more details, check our Capacity Estimation Sheet.

Q: What logging rules are available in the GeoLogger™?
A: The GeoLogger™ allows you to set logging frequencies and to screen out zero speed points (immediately or after a user-specified time period of continuous zero speed points). The user can also choose to capture speed and/or altitude (not saving these will increase the logger capacity above 466,000 points).

Q: How can I log at one second frequencies?
A: When the time filter is OFF, then the default is one second frequencies.

Q: Can I log faster than every second?
A: No, the GeoLogger™ does not support logging speeds greater than one second.

Q: What data elements does the GeoLogger™ store?
A: The GeoLogger™ parses standard NMEA GPS sentences (specifically the RMC and GGA sentences) and extracts these variables:
  • valid GPS point
  • date
  • time
  • latitude
  • longitude
  • speed
  • heading
  • altitude
  • HDOP
  • number of satellites used in position calculation
   

Q: What is HDOP?
A: HDOP, or Horizontal Dilution of Precision, is a measure of the dispersion of GPS satellites in the sky that are in view at that moment in time. Low values of HDOP, typically 4 or less, indicate that the satellites are well distributed across the sky to provide an optimal location calculation. Higher values indicate that the satellites in view are either bunched together in the same area of the sky or are in a straight line, which typically occurs when there is significant sky view blockage caused by urban canyons. In this case, the location determination may be inaccurate.

Q: Why is the number of satellites important?
A: GPS receivers require at least four satellites in view to calculate a valid position and time. With only three satellites, time is not calculated. If more than four satellites are available, the position calculation improves. With 12 channel receivers, it is feasible that up to 12 satellites could be in view.

Q: Can I log full NMEA sentences?
A: The GeoLogger™ logs only the 10 data elements listed above to preserve memory, optimizing the storage capacity of the device and providing significantly quicker download times.

Q: Will the GeoLogger™ record data if there is no GPS satellite fix?
A: No, the GeoLogger™ will not store invalid GPS data. The GeoLogger™ will automatically resume data storage when the GPS antenna regains a fix.

Q: What happens if the 9V battery dies during operation?
A: The GeoLogger™ has non-volatile flash memory, meaning that data will be saved until the moment of power loss. This means that you will not lose any stored data.

Q: Can I mark a specific location (or waypoint)?
A: On the standard GeoLogger™ Ver 4.8, we do not support the mark location feature. However, we do sell the GeoLogger™ with the mark location option, which is supported by a button that you can press whenever you want a GPS point marked uniquely.  If this feature is desired, be sure to ask for the Mark Location feature.

Q: Is the GeoLogger™ waterproof?
A: Although the GeoLogger™ has a tight-fitting plastic case, it is not 100% waterproof. We recommend shielding the logger and the connector from direct exposure to water – a plastic bag with a tight seal should work fine.

Troubleshooting


Q: The GeoLogger™ Download Utility cannot find my GeoLogger™ connected over USB.
A: There are three possible reasons:

  1. You may have another device connecting over USB that conflicts with the GeoLogger™. For example, Palm's HotSync program must be closed before you will be able to connect to the GeoLogger™.
  2. USB connections require special USB drivers, which are included with distributions of GeoLogger™ software. Contact the person who installed the GeoLogger™ software to ensure that these drivers were installed.
  3. You may not have sufficient access rights on your computer. An administrator can give you the rights you need by following the steps in GeoLogger Download Access Permissions.

Q: The GeoLogger™ Download Utility finds my GeoLogger™, but will not let me download data from it.
A: You may not have write access to the GeoLogger™ Download Utility folder. Please see "Note 1" in GeoLogger Download Access Permissions.

Q: I saved the downloaded data from the GeoLogger™ Download Utility, but now I cannot find my file.
A: You may not have write access to the folder you specified. Under that circumstance, the GeoLogger™ Download Utility will not save the file, but will not notify you that it failed. We suggest that you always confirm that the file downloaded correctly by viewing it using Windows Explorer. Once this confirmation is done, then it is okay to clear the GeoLogger memory.