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One of the most common points of confusion for GIS users comes from understanding the differences between geographic coordinate systems and projected coordinate systems, as well as some of the other geodesy jargon often referenced

List of common GPS and GNSS terms and definitions

This tutorial video walks through the steps for creating a RTK Correction Profile (NAD83 - 2011) for Esri's Collector app on iOS platforms.

Recently I had the pleasure of being a guest on the Archaeology Podcast to discuss today's GNSS technology. Give it a listen to learn more about the current state of GPS and GNSS technology and how it relates to archaeology in the field. 

Why your GPS data doesn't line up with your aerial imagery is a common question. This article discusses the various reasons for this discrepancy. 

This article is aimed at the question of updating or not updating the OS for your mobile mapping device. Ideally, we could all update our devices used for mobile mapping without worrying about any unforeseen software bugs, but that just isn't the case. There will always be the potential for a software bug to inhibit our ability to collect field data with our mobile device. This article focuses on the best practices for determining when and if to complete an OS or mapping software update.

Do you know the exact height of your GPS antenna mounted on your survey pole?  Here is how you can tell.

This how-to workflow is designed for the New Collector from Esri, formerly known as the Aurora project.  This will only capture live Orthometric heights with an Eos Arrow receiver running the Geoid12B in the Eos Tools Pro app.  Doing that will allow Collector points to capture real-time NAVD88 elevations.

These videos walk users through how to set up and utilize the new Eos Tools Pro ability to apply the Geoid12B model to elevations for live capture in Esri's Collector app.

With Esri set to release its new version of Collector (known as the Aurora project) in late November or early December for iOS devices, we decided to give our clients a sneak peek at Aurora.

If you have been waiting for a solution to do offset mapping and measurement in Collector, it is here!  The videos below take you through the full details step-by-step! 

Using Mobile GIS equipment and workflows with cloud computing can streamline data collection and management for field staff and allow managers to make more timely and informed land management and conservation decisions. These workflows also greatly increase the efficiency of reporting. Not only can these solutions save man-hours and money, but also reduce potential human errors introduced by recording field data on paper and then having to manually enter that data into a computer database.

Sulphur Springs Valley Electric Coop transitions to Moblie GIS with iPads, Arrow Gold RTK receivers, and Esri Collector for ArcGIS to update the location accuracy of more than 34,000 assets in less than two months time! Learn more about how the accomplished this feat.

This article will break down the nitty-gritty of today’s GPS equipment and how to use the newest Bluetooth-enabled GPS receivers with your phone or tablet to get the best out of your Mobile GIS field data collection.

Anatum's very own Matt Alexander teaches the technology portion and explains GPS technology and user best practices alongside the Esri staff with their focus on Collector for ArcGIS.

To capture horizontal (horizontal datum NAD83) and elevational data (vertical datum NAVD88), the university needed to determine first the required accuracy and if there was an affordable technology solution that could accomplish the task. By working with the GNSS experts at Anatum Field Solutions and their review of Bluetooth GNSS options, the EOS Arrow 200 RTK-GNSS using Esri’s Collector app, paired with an existing campus base station transmitting centimeter-level RTK corrections via the Internet, met all requirements for horizontal accuracy. 

Users can now power up their Esri Collector with automatic GPS satellite metadata fields collection. Use Collector to capture horizontal & vertical accuracy from your external GPS or GNSS receiver.

What is PDOP, HDOP, and VDOP?  What do the values mean? 

The Galileo system will have all brand new cutting-edge satellites technologically comparable to the U.S. GPS satellites and expectedly more reliable than the Russian Glonass satellites.  But the best part is that the Galileo satellites will be able to add more available satellites to receivers capable of tracking more than two constellations simultaneously.

One of the first couple questions users often ask about tablets, lasers, or GNSS receivers is how waterproof it is, especially those in the Pacific Northwest!  This breaks down the different waterproof ratings.

RTK GPS receivers are traditionally very expensive and their accuracy has been thought of as beyond the field mapping needs of most environmental and engineering firms, and government land management groups.  However, with the introduction of Bluetooth RTK receivers for use with field tablets and mobile GIS, RTK’s potential has become less expensive to achieve and much desired.  Add to that the availability of Bluetooth RTK receiver rentals from Anatum Field Solutions, and the continued progression of many companies into mobile GIS workflows with tablets becomes much easier and more affordable.

Video tutorial for setting up RTK corrections with the Arrow 200 and Arrow Gold for iOS.

One of the things professionals have to get used to when they switch from submeter handheld GNSS equipment to mobile GIS workflows with submeter GNSS receivers is their antenna.  The important thing to keep in mind is the antenna needs to “see” as much sky as possible and preferably at all times.  Below we present a few methods for working with the external antennas used with Bluetooth GPS and GNSS receivers.

As an agnostic reseller and rental company of GPS equipment for use with Mobile GIS workflows, it is important that we know how the market performs.  There are a multiple Bluetooth-capable GPS and GNSS receivers on the market now and we tested and compared them in real-world settings on our GPS Test Course.  These field tests compared the accuracy and precision of Bluetooth submeter-rated GNSS receivers under conditions that ranged from open-sky to heavy canopy cover.