gps

Here is some information about conversion of GPS locations to maps, in case you want to integrate GPS or maps into your web application such as this QuickBase.

• Address to Map

  "http://maps.yahoo.com/py/maps.py?BFCat=&Pyt=Tmap&newFL=Use+Address+Below&addr="
  & [Street Address] & "&csz=" & [City] & "%2C+" & [State] & "&Country=us&Get%A0Map=Get+Map"
  

  For example, here is the URL to map 131 Sherman Street in Cambridge, MA. You could use the above formula in a QuickBase formula-url field if you had text fields Street Address, City, State.

• Address to GPS

  Find a map in Yahoo then click near center of map (to zoom) and look at the URL it generates to redraw, you'll notice it includes the GPS coordinates of your click location. This might not work anymore. Try also geocode.

  See also ontok.com.

• Decimal to Degrees

  If([Latitude] < 0, "S", "N") &
    ToText(Int(Abs([Latitude]))) & "o" &
    ToText(Round(Abs(Frac([Latitude])) * 60, 0.001)) & "'\n" &
  If([Longitude] < 0, "W", "E") &
    ToText(Int(Abs([Longitude]))) & "o" & 
    ToText(Round(Abs(Frac([Longitude])) * 60, 0.001)) & "'"
  

• GPS to Map
  • "http://maps.yahoo.com/py/pmap.py?slt=" & ToText([Latitude]) & "&sln=" & ToText([Longitude]) & "&mag=10&cs=9"
  • "http://www.mapblast.com/myblast/map.mb?CT=" & ToText([Latitude]) & "%3A" & ToText([Longitude]) & "&myzoom.x=140&myzoom.y=20"
  • "http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?lat=" & ToText([Latitude]) & "&lon=" & ToText([Longitude])

• Distance Calculation
  usda.gov colorado.edu meridianworlddata

Other GPS

• mygmaps uses the new maps.google.com API.
• census.gov tiger project and google contest winner
• Amazon Electronics > Categories > GPS & Navigation
• acme mapper gps to aerial view map
• Wherify GPS watch, body temperature, pulse and fall alert
• Digital Angel GPS watch etc
• POMALS backpack and locater services cf
• Garmin Rhino GPS Walkie Talkie
• Timex GPS Ironman - sports watch with speed and distance system
• Tom Tom Go 320x240 3.5" color touchscreen, 32mb portable GPS for your cars $799 *

GPS systems that I own

• Garmin StreetPilot 2620 305x160 color touchscreen, WAAS, $900 portable unit to switch between cars. cf case, included mount (alternative)
• Update 16dec05: see review for Garmin Nuvi 350 - wow
• Garmin GPS 172C color marine 320x320 pixels, 3.2x3.2"
• GPSRD Radar Detector from Uniden is awesome. It comes with database of 5000 common speed trap locations, and you can update it with other speed traps but also with false alarm locations! It also comes with a great database of many cities across USA. Price is only about $129. Search Froogle.
• Built-in GPS for two cars including the awesome Alpine GPS used by Honda. I have used built-in GPS systems from Mercedes, BMW, Nissan/Infiniti, and the Honda/Alpine unit is by far the best. It has color touchscreen with a huge business database-- you can find the nearest accupuncturist or find a business by entering its phone number.