Field Maps and Trimble Mobile Manager

Question

Morning all,

I hope I'm asking this in the correct space. We are leveraging FMs and TMM for some work flows in our company.

Here is my issue, in ArcPro after the GPS metadata is added to the feature, we setup FMs, then move into TMM. In TMM configuration once connected to a head, I fill out all the fields. One of the fields is is selecting the base mount, bottom of antenna, bottom of mount, etc...

Does anyone know of a way to pass that selection so it can viewed in the final GPS metadata. Or at least log files or something in a folder on an iphone?

Thanks for the help

tikola · Answer

To get this kind of pole height values we need some electric poles that communicates with measurement device. I have not seen such hardware in GNSS vendors. The need is obvious - situations in field changes and adjust pole according the terrain would make sense. Especially with new tilt corrected GNSS that allows you map all kind of structures even under some sky visibility coverage and there constant pole height/lenght adjustment makes sense. For example whole device might be upside down and you measure some roof etc.

In generally Field Maps is a Maps not Mapping. So I believe Field Maps is in old days designed to take maps with you in the field and it is lacking some functionality in mapping specific tasks. However when knowing the limitations it is a brilliant mapping tool too. My case is water utility companies and in their needs Field Maps fulfills nearly all their mapping needs. Typical case is to measure missing manholes or valves - so separate point features here and there. I see no other tool that makes this thing better if GNSS accuracy is enough. The place where true mapping apps are more flexible is a case where you want to use total stations or you want to map multiple linear/area features in the same time. In Field Maps you always map a single feature and then move to next one. You can not map start of line 1 and immediately measure starting point of second line before finishing the first line. You can of course continue some feature you already have started but it is bit more flexible in true mapping apps.

Field Maps is a brilliant app and it integrates well with external devices making it a very good mapping app with some limitations that all users may not ever face.

KyleKeath · Answer

I agree, changing pole height in TMM or Field Maps would be ideal. If I could get my Trimble head above some obstructions here and there, that would be ideal.

KyleKeath · Answer

Thanks for the response. I'm setting the mount point in TMM. We just realized on a job yesterday that some vertical accuracy was off running some RMSE calculations. We did notice it was the same across the whole dataset, finally someone realized it was the height of the mount that screws onto the GPS rod.

Long way to say, we just wish that there was a field in the final table from the GPS metadata tool that would populate what mount point was selected in TMM.  And what you said confirmed what we didn't hope. But honestly, I'm still blown away that we are walking around with ipad minis and taking shots with this accuracy!!!

Thanks