Field Maps and Trimble Mobile Manager

[KyleKeath]

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]

I think it does not write any settings of device in GPS metadata. It only gets numbers from actual measurement. So mounting type for example - I do not see it anywhere in my Trimble Catalyst measurements.

However one good way to do this is manually set the type in some drop down menu. So you really make an attribute and set that value for each measurement. So during mapping you define mounting method as a part of measurement.

I got a same request in one case where mapping process contained continuous changes in pole height between measurements. The simplest way to do it is simply make a attribute field where you simply write height of a pole in that exact measurement.

I agree your need makes sense but currently we get from TMM just numbers about actual measurement not from device settings. There is  also no such value in GPS metadata and closes ones are things like a RTK station ID etc.

My additional need in this topic would be an electronic pole height value so that pole height would be somehow automatically included from pole to measurement device - currently we have just one single value written in Trimble Mobile Manager settings. So idea is that if someone changes pole height constantly it would be somehow automatically a part of measurement.

[KyleKeath]

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

[KyleKeath]

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.

[tikola]

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.