ArcGIS Pro GPS Toolbar

Idea created by moorecounty on Feb 9, 2017

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Please add a GPS toolbar with similar functionality to the ArcMap GPS toolbar. In particular, being able to connect to a USB GPS unit and auto-panning would be great.

When up voting this Idea, please add a Comment with information about how you use connected GPS with Desktop (ArcMap). How do you connect the unit, what type of work are you doing, and what functionality from the current ArcMap GPS toolbar do you use most? Is there important functionality missing from the existing toolbar that would be beneficial in a Pro GPS "toolbar"?

39 Comments

KKramer-esristaff May 30, 2017 8:28 AM
Reese Hirth Christian "Smitty" Smith Jerry Chase Rachel Sarina Matt Sarty Grant MacLeod Evan Mosher Ulrike Kleeberg Craig MacLachlan Moore County Heinz-Georg Pankow

We added some questions in an info box in the description, and I wanted to reach out to present the same to those who have already voted for this idea:

How do you connect the unit, what type of work are you doing, and what functionality from the current ArcMap GPS toolbar do you use most? Is there important functionality missing from the existing toolbar that would be beneficial in a Pro GPS "toolbar"?

Providing more information will be extremely helpful to us when thinking about what this might look like in ArcGIS Pro.

Thank you!
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- ChaseJ @ KKramer-esristaff on May 30, 2017 8:53 AM
  I'm currently testing a Garmin Glo (Bluetooth connection) with my computer and Android phone. My experience with GPS/GIS has been primarily limited to ArcGIS Desktop and I have made that work for my purposes although it has been challenging and confusing. Bluetooth connections bring a level of complexity all its own, but that seems to be the path of the future for peripherals. So the only comment that I have to offer is I wish for a day when PCs connect to external devices as easily as do my smart phone. Having used survey grade GPS units before when the only way to interact with them was to use a specific unit connected with a cable. Now most GPS units will connect with Bluetooth to handheld computers and most smartphones.
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  - KKramer-esristaff @ ChaseJ on May 30, 2017 8:58 AM
    Thank you, Jerry!
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- evanmosher @ KKramer-esristaff on May 30, 2017 9:31 AM
  Hi Kory,
  We would like to connect to GPS through either a Serial-USB adapter or just through Serial port. In our business we would like to put ArcGIS Pro on our fishing vessels, and have them view the current vessel location with correct heading, or Course over Ground, so displaying some sort of custom icon that has a front and rear would be great. Might be nice to have a window or something that constantly displays the current location, heading, and speed. Also, our crews like to use a "vector arrow" that reaches out ahead of the vessel at a specified distance, this would be nice to have. Any way to add a "Distance to Mouse location" and/or "Distance to a waypoint" and/or "Time to go to waypoint" and/or "Time to go to Mouse location", "Bearing to Mouse location" and/or "Bearing to a waypoint" and have these also displayed in a window or something that is updating would be a nice to have.
  Regards,
  Evan
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  - KKramer-esristaff @ evanmosher on May 30, 2017 9:34 AM
    Excellent input. Thank you, Evan!
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  - ahoque-esristaff @ evanmosher on Dec 6, 2019 4:19 PM
    Evan Mosher
    Hi Evan,
    Great feedback. Thanks.
    I have few stupid questions.
    
    Course over Ground, so displaying some sort of custom icon that has a front and rear would be great.
    I'm afraid I'm not quite sure what you meant
    
    our crews like to use a "vector arrow" that reaches out ahead of the vessel at a specified distance
    what is 'vector arrow'?
    
    Thanks.
    Tanu
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pbeale Jul 24, 2017 9:49 AM
I would like the GPS toolbar to connect a GPS via USB to Pro. A large portion of our work is mapping crops, which requires in-the-field location capabilities for editing, especially cutting field border polygons. This work flow often requires desktop tools rather than using Collector. ArcMap is the current desktop environment for connecting to GPS, but moving to Pro will require this same connectivity.
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Joel.McKechnie_qgsp Oct 25, 2017 4:11 PM
In my work we have been using ArcMap on a windows tablet, connected to a QSTARZ GPS Receiver via bluetooth.
I have read a few posts on Geonet that have similar experiences, and I can agree that bluetooth connectivity is an issue on it's own.

ArcGIS Pro needs GPS connectivity. We have almost completely migrated to Pro at the desktop, however cannot progress to Pro in the field without a GPS toolbar. We are trialing Collector, however need functionality Pro/ArcMap provide that Collector cannot.
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- KKramer-esristaff @ Joel.McKechnie_qgsp on Oct 25, 2017 8:47 PM
  Thank you for the input, Joel!
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tpcolson Oct 26, 2017 9:35 AM
For CADD (in vehicle police dispatching), the ability to have a GPS-connected to the laptop (where the GPS is part of the CADD hardware in the trunk), and Arc running on the laptop, is a must-have. And no, we can't use collector or explorer, most CADD systems have ArcMap baked into the rest of the system, either on the dispatch side, vehicle side, or both. If (when) ArcMap is ultimately retired, and Pro doesn't have this functionality, we'll have to find another solution.
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- KKramer-esristaff @ tpcolson on Oct 26, 2017 9:39 AM
  Good detail. Thank you, Thomas!
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andrew.clark_qgsp Nov 5, 2017 5:33 PM
We use a Garmin Bluetooth GPS device with ArcMap for field work. However since upgrading our tablet to a high resolution screen, ArcMap is unusable for field work due to resolution issues. For our editing and mapping environment, we have almost completely migrated to ArcGIS Pro which has been a fantastic decision and we would like to move on from ArcMap for good.

We have been trialing Collector for ArcGIS for our field operations however as we require displaying large areas of complex data (our mapping area is 18 million hectares - the state of Queensland), Collector can struggle displaying our broad scale, complex data. There is also a known bug with publishing feature services from ArcGIS Pro to AGOL and downloading a web map for offline use using the collector app with Windows. Tiling our imagery is also time consuming and a bit of a hassle.

Ideally we would like to be able to take our ArcGIS Pro project out into the field with us and have the GNSS (GPS) functionality like ArcMap has. Although Collector for ArcGIS will have its place for us, we really need the full desktop GIS functionality with GNSS/GPS location displaying and tracking.
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- ahoque-esristaff @ andrew.clark_qgsp on Dec 6, 2019 4:26 PM
  Andy Clark
  
  Hi Andy,
  Ideally we would like to be able to take our ArcGIS Pro project out into the field with us and have the GNSS (GPS) functionality like ArcMap has.
  Would you mind tell us how you use GPS while out in the field? Do you collect point data or update/modify existing feature geometries?
  
  Thanks.
  Tanu
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dorseymap Mar 8, 2018 10:46 AM
If developed, it needs to support NMEA sentences via USB AND Bluetooth...
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dorseymap Mar 8, 2018 10:50 AM
If developed, it needs to support NMEA sentences via USB AND Bluetooth...
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- tpcolson @ dorseymap on Mar 8, 2018 11:25 AM
  ...and Bad Elf
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smolivert Apr 12, 2018 5:51 AM
I use the GPS Feature in ARCmap to track my movements and to mark locations were I drop kids of on their Paper Sales Route. I used to use QGIS GPS feature, and miss the autopan feature that came with it, but love how ARCMap has a better connection. I use BLUETOOTH connection from my Android Phone.
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Joshalo Apr 23, 2018 9:43 AM
Just make sure its not just pulled directly from ArcMap. I have been using ArcGIS for 15 years and the same zooming bug has been in every version since the early 2000's.

Basically when connected to GPS, if you zoom in and then zoom out, within a minute or two after you start moving again it zooms back in.

The only work around I have found is to save the doc after every zoom out.
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bruce.j.anderson May 16, 2018 8:42 AM
used with USB connected and bluetooth connected GPS units for animal surveys conducted from aircraft
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john8526 Oct 16, 2018 1:59 PM
Waiting on this feature to fully migrate to ArcGIS Pro...
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_@sbanana99 Nov 15, 2018 10:27 AM
Hi,
We have AMI Engineers and Metermen using MS MapPoint to display Fixed Network meters that are not reporting in, or have a low RC quality issue that needs mitigating in the field. MapPoint is deprecated, and so I have been working on a prototype to use Pro instead. Plus, the users are moving from Win 7 to Win 10, which is the final nail in the coffin for MapPoint.
However, I discovered today, much to my dismay, that there is no GPS Toolbar, and the users are adamant that they want navigation functionality as part of the solution. They are currently using an external GPS antennae with a Win 7 laptop... "Under Consideration" is close to being in "In Product Plan"... right??
Thanks,
Shana
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- KKramer-esristaff @ _@sbanana99 on Nov 16, 2018 6:30 AM
  GPS Support is a mid-term project for Pro ArcGIS Pro Roadmap - September 2018
  Mid-term means next 2-3 releases. I guess we could say that technically this is in the product plan, but its a little further out than we like in order to update the status. I'm sure the team will re-evaluate once Pro 2.3 ships in early 2019.
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  - _@sbanana99 @ KKramer-esristaff on Nov 16, 2018 12:25 PM
    Ok, thanks for the update Kory
    Shana
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sread Mar 17, 2019 5:41 PM
I have been asked by a PhD student whether he can connect a handheld GPS to GIS software and feed in locations so that he can track and keep a record of the location at which he has collected data while on board a ship. It would be nice to do this in ArcGIS Pro.
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Dale_Richter_qgsp Mar 31, 2019 6:41 PM
Connecting a GPS either via an USB port or accessing the internal GPS and location services of a device is a must for business. Been very disappointed that this seems to be low priority from ESRI. To me this would be an essential functionally for a spatial scientist.
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- patri1wg @ Dale_Richter_qgsp on May 20, 2019 5:35 PM
  Yes, we use the Panasonic Toughpad with an internal GPS receiver and we use it for all of our field navigation within ArcMap via the GPS toolbar. We will be unable to migrate to an ArcGIS Pro workflow without the GPS location functionality.
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- _@sbanana99 @ Dale_Richter_qgsp on May 24, 2019 2:14 PM
  I was encouraged to see Kory's comment earlier in this thread:
  "GPS Support is a mid-term project for Pro ArcGIS Pro Roadmap - September 2018
  Mid-term means next 2-3 releases. I guess we could say that technically this is in the product plan, but its a little further out than we like in order to update the status. I'm sure the team will re-evaluate once Pro 2.3 ships in early 2019."
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dewright_ca Apr 17, 2019 4:04 PM
This would be a great addition; with users losing functions from ArcPad; and not wanting to build new in AppBuilder; getting this basic function set in Pro would help fill a good gap where Tracking-Analyst is way overkill.
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HochtiefSolutions May 1, 2019 12:21 AM
The usage of GPS in ArcPro would enhance consturction site Monitoring and Planing.
The connected GPS tool could - when using high precision instuments - lead to Automation in Construction industry.
Some tool around have to be developed.

Andreas
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rdrcl May 10, 2019 8:57 AM
I work with a small search and rescue team and would like to be able to use garmin alpha 100's and all of their abilities to track dogs and handlers from various devices onto one screen.
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Lortorial Jun 24, 2019 11:31 PM
We use ArcGIS Collector, which is good but limited especially in the fully disconnected outback of Australia. Having GPS support in ArcGIS Pro would give us the ability to do more, including business critical functions.
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riodhan Jun 25, 2019 12:03 AM
We would like to request the GPS toolbar to connect a GPS via USB to ArcGIS Pro. A major chunk of our Geoscientists' work is mapping geological outcrops, which requires in-the-field location capabilities for editing, especially manipulating lines. This work flow often requires desktop tools rather than using Collector. ArcMap is the current desktop environment for connecting to GPS, but moving to ArcGIS Pro will need this same functionality.
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pallentina_NIWA Jul 6, 2019 2:46 PM
The ability to read GPS data (NMEA) that is on a network (UDP & TCP) would also be useful (for use on ships). QGIS has a very nice plugin for this...
Arne
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_@sbanana99 Sep 10, 2019 9:27 AM
I noticed the status is now "IN PRODUCT PLAN". Does that mean it will come out in the next release?
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mark.billinger Nov 1, 2019 12:52 PM
We use the GPS tool to real time navigate in the field to conduct inspections on groundwater wells and surface water diversions. Most of the time we work in remote areas where use of aerial imaging and gps tool is required to navigate to the sites. Need to be able to work offline due to poor to no cell coverage in most areas. Have used both DNR Garmin extension (not supported in 10.5) via usb port and now using ArcMap GPS tool with serial port adapter along with a garmin handheld unit. Works great! Preparing to lose this tool so have tried ArcExplorer on handheld devices lately as a backup, but really like to see it added to ArcPro since we will be losing 10.5 in a couple of years. Thanks
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_@sbanana99 Dec 16, 2019 9:31 AM
Hi,
The natives are getting restless... they want their GPS! Any updates on a release timeline? I've been watching the roadmap, and I think it has been in the Mid-term column for at least a year.
Thanks,
Shana
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- KKramer-esristaff @ _@sbanana99 on Dec 16, 2019 9:55 AM
  Hi Shana - this functionality it currently in development. I believe the plan is to deliver it in Pro 2.6 which would be middle of next year. When Pro 2.5 releases in January we'll get an updated roadmap published and it should bring this work into the Near-term. I hope this helps!
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  - _@sbanana99 @ KKramer-esristaff on Dec 16, 2019 11:37 AM
    Ok, thanks for the update Kory. It helps that I at least have a release version. I will report back to the natives... and then run. :-/
    ~Shana
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krmetzger Jan 27, 2020 3:33 PM
I have been using the ArcMap GPS tool to provide real time mapping in the field on wildfire for years. This enables me to accurately locate and map features critical to directing resource and equipment to safely engage wildfires.
www.incidentsupport.com
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