idea Rangefinder Offset data collection in Collector in ArcGIS Collector Ideas

Rangefinder Offset data collection in Collector

DerrickReish — Thu, 14 May 2015 16:56:55 GMT

Use the laser rangefinder measurement values (Azimuth/bearing, slope distance, horizontal distance, vertical distance and inclination) to calculate an offset point from a known reference point. Reference point can be set using GPS, established feature point, manually enter coordinates or map tap. Once could also capture/measure lines, curves and polygons as an offset function.
Also include a feature to capture height and pt to pt measurements from the laser rangefinder measurement routines.
This will increase your productivity and safety since you don't need to physically occupy the locations you have to record.

Re: Rangefinder Offset data collection in Collector

ChristopherNoyles — Wed, 03 Jun 2015 00:45:45 GMT

Have you tried the Theodolite App? I think this will accomplish what your suggesting. The problem is you have to open two apps to get the job done. Theodolite will record all the info you reference on your photo and provide a kml in an email link. Wish this could incorporate the Theodolite app functionality as the default camera option in Collector. problems solved no more opening two apps and attaching files.

Re: Rangefinder Offset data collection in Collector

ScottPrindle — Fri, 16 Nov 2018 20:47:21 GMT

When voting for this idea, please consider leaving a comment to share how you are using (or would use) offset collection in the field. What keeps you at a distance from the point of collection? How are you dealing with these limitations today?

Additionally, please include the platform you are predominantly using (iOS, Android, or Windows), and the laser rangefinder hardware you have or would consider purchasing.

As of today, it is possible to use Eos's Arrow devices with Collector for ArcGIS (iOS) to collect laser offsets.

Thanks,

Scott

Re: Rangefinder Offset data collection in Collector

ShericeSnell — Mon, 03 Dec 2018 18:29:02 GMT

We need to use our laser for GPSing addresses behind locked gates. If this could be implemented, I would be able to cut a 3rd party software and streamline my addressing data collection workflow by using collector.

Re: Rangefinder Offset data collection in Collector

DougWilson4 — Fri, 28 Dec 2018 23:17:17 GMT

We have a lot of facility assets that are near buildings and/or under heavy vegetation so using our LRF integrated with the Trimble 7000 handheld would be great. We could also greatly benefit from having a trilateration function in collector, for distance-distance positioning from two or more offset GPS observable locations.

Thanks,

Doug

Re: Rangefinder Offset data collection in Collector

BradMead — Wed, 23 Jan 2019 16:42:27 GMT

We use a TruPulse range finder to quickly collect information about tree height and to measure distances for laying out restoration planting projects. It would be great if the device which has bluetooth and can connect to our tablet could also pass data directly to Collector instead of having to manually enter it after the device reports the data.

Re: Rangefinder Offset data collection in Collector

LindaKoch — Wed, 13 Feb 2019 22:57:23 GMT

We too use a TruPulse rangefinder that we previously used with ArcPad. We really miss the ability to "throw" a point on an opposing ridgeline to look for references that tie to our Gigapan imagery collection. Please allow this to happen without getting the data manually from another app. We use a combination of iOS and Androids.

Re: Rangefinder Offset data collection in Collector

ThomasColson — Tue, 16 Jul 2019 17:11:59 GMT

This has long been possible with Trimble devices, where we often occupy the only point where we can get a good signal, then shoot building corners (under roof overhang bad signal). Limiting the functionality to a single vendor is not a reasonable solution. Until the software can support vendor-agnostic offsets, we'll have to stick with the Trimble, not Collector, workflow.

Re: Rangefinder Offset data collection in Collector

Ewout_de_Graaff — Wed, 17 Jul 2019 04:07:10 GMT

We use the Collector app om IOS in combination with the Häglof Laser Geo laser rangefinder. It’s a very accurate device for offset measurements in forestry applications. It would aprove data collection speed by 300% (no more walking time to each individual measured object) and the possibility to map objects (pests) in the treecrown.

The laser device sends data via NMEA protocol.

Re: Rangefinder Offset data collection in Collector

ChauhanYashwant — Wed, 17 Jul 2019 04:54:25 GMT

Trimble TerraSync software offers excellent rangefinder workflow. It has 3 methods, distance - bearing, distance - distance and bearing - bearing. Although distance - bearing is a one shot solution but not accurate sometimes because of the errors in compass. Distance - Distance produces the best results because it does not involve the compass at all, but i have to shoot the point from 2 separate locations. Line and polygon offsets are also very important.

Re: Rangefinder Offset data collection in Collector

Jean-YvesLauture — Thu, 18 Jul 2019 03:35:31 GMT

Eos Positioning Systems offers a laser mapping solution built for Collector on iOS. It was developed by Eos for its user community of Arrow receivers and uses mainly the TruPulse 200x from LTI (because of its iOS compatibility). There is no manual data entry, except for the standard Distance/Azimuth/Inclination method where a manual input of azimuth is required (since the Trupulse 200X does not feature a built-in compass).

There are two other methods: Range/Range Intersect and Range/Backsight using the TruAngle encoder for azimuth as can be seen in the following link:

Laser Mapping | Eos Positioning Systems

A couple of case studies for users who are interested (one of them published in ArcNews Summer 2019):

Seattle Zoo Builds Basemap Around Lions, Tigers, and Bears

Arrow Gold for Construction: DDSI Increases Profit w/ RTK Laser Mapping

Hope this helps.

Re: Rangefinder Offset data collection in Collector

CathyWilson2 — Wed, 02 Oct 2019 21:34:45 GMT

We are using an iPad mini and have a TruPulse blue tooth laser rangefinder. Years ago, I used ArcPad on a Trimble GeoXH and the same laser rangefinder and was able to collect a point on a bush that was halfway up a large dune. To climb up there would have been a lot of work and would have disturbed the ground. We were surveying plant locations that are dune beetle habitat. Often a creek or other vegetation keeps us from getting to a location. Now, I just take a point near the item I want to collect with a note, then correct it once back in the office, but it isn't accurate. We recently purchased a Bad Elf GNSS Surveyor. It would be nice to be able to get this in the workflow.

Re: Rangefinder Offset data collection in Collector

Ewout_de_Graaff — Fri, 17 Jul 2020 10:24:36 GMT

Last week I ordered an Arrow receiver. It would be very useful if we could also use Haglof's devices in conjunction with EOS Tools Pro from the ArcGIS Collector. The Haglof laser distance meters are able to send deta to iOS, Android or Windows. A big advantage is that the Haglof's compass sensor is very accurate. Are there any plans for the Haglof laser to work with EOS Tools pro in the future?

Re: Rangefinder Offset data collection in Collector

Jean-YvesLauture — Sat, 18 Jul 2020 19:51:03 GMT

Hello Ewout,

Please contact me directly at info@eos-gnss.com.

Thank you,

Re: Rangefinder Offset data collection in Collector

MaxRingler1 — Wed, 02 Mar 2022 15:19:58 GMT

We are collection spatial/behavioural data on small frogs in tropical rainforest. GNSS in unable to provide the accuracy we need under dense forest canopy, therefore we rely on manually mapped forest plots and compass bearing and direction methods. ArcPAD - which we are still using on ruggest Win10 tablets/handhelds, provides this functionality, but so far I am not aware of any of ESRI's new iOS/Android apps that can do this.

Re: Rangefinder Offset data collection in Collector

MaxRingler1 — Wed, 21 Feb 2024 17:13:44 GMT

2 year later...this is sad...why is such a basic funtion impossible to implement? ArcPad, which we are still forced to use because if this, could do this 20 (!) years ago:

Define reference points A & B or snap to existing points (real world field markers) for accurate starting coordinates, measure bearings, inclinations, distances as needed, set magnetic declination and height correction values and get a point at the location you are aiming at.

So straight forward, so simple conceptually, apparently impossible for ESRI in 2024...sorry for the angry tone, I keep on asking for this since more than 10 years, through the ESRI boards, local representatives, user groups, with ZERO response...