Hello,
I am currently adding streets for my region in OpenStreetMap
<http://www.openstreetmap.org/> , a world world effort to produce free
map data for everyone to use.
One of the mapping techniques - audio mapping
<http://josm.openstreetmap.de/wiki/Help/HowTo/AudioMapping> uses a GPS
to record your track & an audio recorder to make verbal notes about the
route (street names, speed limits etc). Later, the GPS track & the
audio can be synchronised
<http://josm.openstreetmap.de/wiki/Help/AudioMapping/Synchronization> ,
allowing the data to be entered into the map building software (JOSM)
<http://wiki.openstreetmap.org/index.php/JOSM> in real time back at a
workstation.
The chief advantage of this technique is that it allows hands-free,
single-handed mapping from a moving vehicle or bike without constant
stopping & starting. Much larger area's can be covered more efficiently
in limited time. Unfortunately JOSM only reads .wav format for the
audio.
I have been using an Olympus DM-10 very successfully for this,
unfortunately it a few limitations - 64Mb memory, proprietary USB PC
link, along with native DSS format for LP (.wma format for high quality
~4 hours) & proprietary software for audio extraction.
The time has come for a new recorder and I am seeking advice on suitable
models, however the shear number of choices available is overwhelming.
Most likely I will be using the recorder in either a car or on a bike so
a suitable model would have the following attributes:
* Durable - lots of outdoor use in pockets & bags.
* Weight -Light, suitable for use on a bike.
* Sound quality - not much of an issue, LP is suitable, as long as
the audio notes are clear enough to be useful.
* Battery Life - 10+ hours recording. Some recording may be up to ~ 5
hours continuous.
* External mic facility - preferred.
* Memory - Around 50+ hours on medium quality should be sufficient.
* Audio format - .wav preferred, although almost everything (except
.dss) can be converted to .wav with Linux.
* Accurate recorder timebase (my DS-10 is out by only 1.5 seconds
over a 3 hour recording).
* Cost - I don't want to purchase that is gross overkill for
something that is relatively simple task.
I have looked at a number of recorders on amazon, and had almost settled
on the Olympus DS-30/40/50 family until I read a review
<http://www.amazon.com/review/R6X7E5O0IK1UR/ref=cm_cr_rdp_perm> on
amazon, that indicated with overly sensitive mic causing problems. Many
of reviews of the basic Sony models indicated problems with battery
drain when the units are in the HOLD mode.
I am open to all suggestions please.
|