WIMS
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Equipment Needed to Run WIMS 3
WIMS 3 is a Microsoft Access-based relational database, which can be used with associated software and hardware to capture and keep track of weed data. WIMS 3 can be used as a stand-alone database application that
resides on your laptop or desktop computer, or can be used in combination with a handheld unit to collect field data.
Using WIMS 3 on your Laptop or Desktop PC
WIMS 3 Desktop interface is needed to keep track of your weed data, produce reports and shapefiles, as well as to share data between multiple users. . Microsoft Access 2000, 2002 or 2003 must be installed on your computer to run WIMS 3. WIMS 3 is no longer compatible with Access 97. WIMS 3 can likely run in, but has yet to be tested been tested in, Access 2007,
Using WIMS 3 on a Handheld Unit
The hardware and software listed below are necessary to use WIMS 3 in the field on a handheld unit.
Required Software
WIMS 3 runs on the ArcPad software platform (available through ESRI). ArcPad allows users to view spatial data while collecting GPS and associated tabular data. WIMS 3 is compatible with either ArcPad 6.0.3, ArcPad 7.0.1, or ArcPad 7.1. ArcPad 7.1 costs $495, but individual licenses (at significantly lower cost) may be available if you work for a government agency, NGO, educational institution, etc., where you might have an enterprise licenses agreement or discounted rate per license.
WIMS 3 IS NOT compatible with ArcPad 8
The full version ArcPad 7.1 is available online for download but will time out every 20-minutes unless you have a registration license number. To download evaluation copies click on the ArcPad verison you would like to evaluate below:
ArcPad 7.1
ArcPad 6.0.3
A patch is necessary to run ArcPad 6.0.3 using Window Mobile 2003. Click Here to download patch.
Required Hardware
Any handheld unit based on MS Windows that is capable of running ArcPad can be used to run WIMS 3. If using a Pocket PC handheld, you will also need a GPS receiver. You may also use an integrated unit, which combine a handheld and GPS into one unit, such as Trimble GeoXor Nomad series.
Although WIMS 3 was originally programmed to run on Palm-based PDA units (see bottom of this page), further development will only occur and be supported using Windows-based units.
Pocket PC units
Pocket PCs are Microsoft Windows-based (Windows CE) handheld units. Any modern Pocket PC will run WIMS 3, as long as it has sufficient RAM to run ArcPad. We have successfully used WIMS 3 on Dell Axim and HP/Compaq iPAQ units. Another option is the Trimble Recon, which is a ruggedized Windows CE device that can be easily integrated with a GPS receiver.
GPS units
The GPS unit selected will depend on the Pocket PC selected, desired level of accuracy, and budget. Holux, GlobalSat and Pharos GPS units have been used successfully with WIMS. Several of these GPS receivers connect via Bluetooth, or plug directly into Compact Flash or Secure Digital slots,. There are now several GPS receivers that are WAAS capable.
Garmin, Magellan and other independent GPS units can be connected to your Pocket PC, via a cable connecting the two units. A variety of cables are available from Blue Hills Innovations, Inc., The GPS Store and a variety of other internet sources.
Integrated Handheld and GPS Units
Handheld devices are also available with integrated GPS receivers . However, be sure that the device can run ArcPad. For example, some older Garmin iQue units cannot run ArcPad (because they use Palm OS), so therefore cannot run WIMS 3!
Trimble makes several handheld devices that can run WIMS 3. The Trimble GeoX series and Nomad units are high-end devices ($3,000+) that have an integrated GPS system, a high level of accuracy (within 3 meters or so), a battery that can last all day, and come field-ruggedized. The Trimble Juno has similar features (not ruggedized) and comes at a more affordable price ($650)..
Optional Equipment
If a non-ruggedized option is selected, several options are available to protect equipment depending on the conditions under which you will be collecting field data. The simplest option is to a see-through, touch-sensitive, waterproof pouch. AquaPac makes a variety of pouches. For harsher conditions, field ruggedized cases can be purchased through Otter.
Depending on your purchase options, travel accessories may also be available through a variety of sources for recharging your unit in the field. For instance, Boxwave makes rechargers and sync cables for many handheld units.
What happened to the Palm interface?!
As mentioned above, WIMS 3 was originally programmed to be used on Palm-based handheld units. However, Magellan is no longer making GPS units that are compatible with HandSpring PDA units (our original choice, which is also no longer manufactured), and more importantly, the third-party software used to run WIMS 3 on the Palm PDA (SmartList-To-Go, essentially Access for the Palm handheld) refused to keep up with compatibility issues. It was determined that it is too difficult to keep WIMS 3 updated in two in different formats. Additionally, the Palm units do not have the mapping capability of ArcPad on the Pocket PC units. Therefore, further development of the WIMS 3 Palm platform has been discontinued.
Using WIMS 3 on your Laptop or Desktop PC
WIMS 3 Desktop interface is needed to keep track of your weed data, produce reports and shapefiles, as well as to share data between multiple users. . Microsoft Access 2000, 2002 or 2003 must be installed on your computer to run WIMS 3. WIMS 3 is no longer compatible with Access 97. WIMS 3 can likely run in, but has yet to be tested been tested in, Access 2007,
Using WIMS 3 on a Handheld Unit
The hardware and software listed below are necessary to use WIMS 3 in the field on a handheld unit.
Required Software
WIMS 3 runs on the ArcPad software platform (available through ESRI). ArcPad allows users to view spatial data while collecting GPS and associated tabular data. WIMS 3 is compatible with either ArcPad 6.0.3, ArcPad 7.0.1, or ArcPad 7.1. ArcPad 7.1 costs $495, but individual licenses (at significantly lower cost) may be available if you work for a government agency, NGO, educational institution, etc., where you might have an enterprise licenses agreement or discounted rate per license.
The full version ArcPad 7.1 is available online for download but will time out every 20-minutes unless you have a registration license number. To download evaluation copies click on the ArcPad verison you would like to evaluate below:
ArcPad 7.1
ArcPad 6.0.3
A patch is necessary to run ArcPad 6.0.3 using Window Mobile 2003. Click Here to download patch.
Required Hardware
Any handheld unit based on MS Windows that is capable of running ArcPad can be used to run WIMS 3. If using a Pocket PC handheld, you will also need a GPS receiver. You may also use an integrated unit, which combine a handheld and GPS into one unit, such as Trimble GeoXor Nomad series.
Although WIMS 3 was originally programmed to run on Palm-based PDA units (see bottom of this page), further development will only occur and be supported using Windows-based units.
Pocket PC units
Pocket PCs are Microsoft Windows-based (Windows CE) handheld units. Any modern Pocket PC will run WIMS 3, as long as it has sufficient RAM to run ArcPad. We have successfully used WIMS 3 on Dell Axim and HP/Compaq iPAQ units. Another option is the Trimble Recon, which is a ruggedized Windows CE device that can be easily integrated with a GPS receiver.
GPS units
The GPS unit selected will depend on the Pocket PC selected, desired level of accuracy, and budget. Holux, GlobalSat and Pharos GPS units have been used successfully with WIMS. Several of these GPS receivers connect via Bluetooth, or plug directly into Compact Flash or Secure Digital slots,. There are now several GPS receivers that are WAAS capable.
Garmin, Magellan and other independent GPS units can be connected to your Pocket PC, via a cable connecting the two units. A variety of cables are available from Blue Hills Innovations, Inc., The GPS Store and a variety of other internet sources.
Integrated Handheld and GPS Units
Handheld devices are also available with integrated GPS receivers . However, be sure that the device can run ArcPad. For example, some older Garmin iQue units cannot run ArcPad (because they use Palm OS), so therefore cannot run WIMS 3!
Trimble makes several handheld devices that can run WIMS 3. The Trimble GeoX series and Nomad units are high-end devices ($3,000+) that have an integrated GPS system, a high level of accuracy (within 3 meters or so), a battery that can last all day, and come field-ruggedized. The Trimble Juno has similar features (not ruggedized) and comes at a more affordable price ($650)..
Optional Equipment
If a non-ruggedized option is selected, several options are available to protect equipment depending on the conditions under which you will be collecting field data. The simplest option is to a see-through, touch-sensitive, waterproof pouch. AquaPac makes a variety of pouches. For harsher conditions, field ruggedized cases can be purchased through Otter.
Depending on your purchase options, travel accessories may also be available through a variety of sources for recharging your unit in the field. For instance, Boxwave makes rechargers and sync cables for many handheld units.
What happened to the Palm interface?!
As mentioned above, WIMS 3 was originally programmed to be used on Palm-based handheld units. However, Magellan is no longer making GPS units that are compatible with HandSpring PDA units (our original choice, which is also no longer manufactured), and more importantly, the third-party software used to run WIMS 3 on the Palm PDA (SmartList-To-Go, essentially Access for the Palm handheld) refused to keep up with compatibility issues. It was determined that it is too difficult to keep WIMS 3 updated in two in different formats. Additionally, the Palm units do not have the mapping capability of ArcPad on the Pocket PC units. Therefore, further development of the WIMS 3 Palm platform has been discontinued.
