You do not want to add large map files - for example, the map of an entire country - to the GPS unit. Ask for help from Spatial Data Center faculty and staff for assistance in preparing map files for upload to your GPS unit.
Load a Map Satelite Image or Shape File onto the GPS Using ActiveSync
If you have a laptop computer from the Spatial Data Center, Microsoft ActiveSync should already be installed on the Desktop of the Computer.
1. Browse the computer to find the saved map document.
2. Right-click on the file you want to add to the GPS unit. Choose Copy from the pop up menu.
3. Open the ActiveSync folder on the Desktop. It will be a folder with a circular blue arrow icon and a name that begins with Geo and ends in a string of numbers.
4. Choose the location in the ActiveSync folder where you would like to copy your file. Right click on any white space inside the folder where you want to store your file. Choose Paste.
5. Put your GPS unit into its dock. Make sure that the unit is fully docked by pressing gently but firmly until the front latch clicks and the light next to the power button lights up. Microsoft ActiveSync will start automatically, and load your file into the mirror file on the GPS unit.
Create a New Shapefile in ArcPad 8
If you are going to capture GPS data, you must do so by first creating a new Shape File in ArcPad.
With ArcPad open, click on the GPS device icon just below the Windows icon.
Tap New -> Shapefile
To collect GPS latitude/longitude data, the Type should be set to Point.
Code Page should be set to Unicode UTF-8
You can add new fields by hand that will become Attribute fields in your Shapefile. OR if you have a file from another project that has the fields you want to use, you can import it. To import a file, you must save it as a .dbf file and upload it to the GPS unit using ActiveSync. When you are done adding or importing fields, click OK.
Name your document, choose a folder for it, and choose whether or not you want to save it to the Main Memory or the SD Card. Saving to the SD card allows you to bypass the use of ActiveSync and plug the SD card into a card reader that can be used by your computer to directly download the file from the GPS unit.
To open a new map from a non-default location:
From the Start Menu, choose ArcPad 8
Click on the Options icon. It looks like a piece of paper. The Options menu will appear.
Tap Options... at the top of the menu.
Tap the Paths tab at the bottom of the screen. The ArcPad Options screen will appear. Tap the Folder button next to the Default Maps & Data Path.