This paper describes the results of tests performed to evaluate linear correction of GPS measurements as an alternative to differential correction of GPS positional fixes. Differential correction requires information which is not provided by the existing animal-borne GPS systems for smaller mammals. Therefore, linear correction, by means of a second GPS rover, has been suggested as an alternative to differential correction. To test the accuracy of linearly corrected measurements, we compared the position estimates of raw, linearly corrected and differentially corrected GPS positional fixes with the true (known) geodetic position. The tests indicate that the accuracy of linear correction is highly unstable and is related to differences in the satellite constellation used by the GPS receivers. Linear correction is consequently strongly discouraged. If differential correction is not possible, we recommend the use of raw GPS measurements, of which the error is well known and more predictable.
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