Effortless Field Data Collection with Global Mapper Mobile
Global Mapper Mobile brings data collection into the palm of your hand, making it easy to record ground control points and other key features on site when collecting drone-images for processing in Global Mapper desktop’s Pixels to Points tool. Available on iOS and Android mobile operating systems, Global Mapper Mobile is a small yet reliable application designed to extend workflows into the field with support for data viewing, data collection and editing, and even a few analysis tools.
Global Mapper Mobile, a free download from the App Store and Google Play Store, allows users to begin collecting data using the internal location services of the mobile device. This can be done in an empty map space or with a basemap from an online source loaded. Vector feature digitizing in Global Mapper Mobile includes methods for manual drawing on the map as well as GPS informed point, line, and area feature creation. Once added to the map attributes and images can be added, and edited, to store additional field information.
To take the use of Global Mapper Mobile further, consider adding the Pro Module. A yearly subscription at a nominal fee, the Pro module unlocks a variety of useful tools for field GIS work including Advanced GPS connection to external GNSS devices, geocoding, quick data analysis tools, and more!
While the use of a mobile device internal location services is convenient, for high-accuracy ground control point collection, a higher-end external positioning device can be used with Global Mapper Mobile Pro. By connecting an external GNSS device via bluetooth or IP port configuration, Global Mapper Mobile will use the position from the external device, even applying RTK correction if compatible and setup though the app’s built-in NTRIP client. With each version of Global Mapper Mobile the tested and supported list of external positioning devices grows. More information on supported devices can be found in the iOS and Android help pages for the app.
Expanding on the utility of Global Mapper Mobile in the field, the Pro Module contains a small set of analysis tools. These tools include viewshed analysis, volume calculation, and, in the new version 3.0 of the app, contour generation. Mimicking the versions of these tools one would find in the Global Mapper Pro desktop software, the mobile version of these tools are optimized for quick use in the field. Viewshed analysis, volume calculation, and contour generation all rely on a terrain data layer in the mobile map to provide information and context about the area when working in the field.
To explore Global Mapper Mobile download the app from the iOS App Store or Google Play Store today! Find out more about Global Mapper Mobile, the Pro Module, and other software products from Blue Marble Geographics at www.bluemarblegeo.com.
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Miriam McNabb is the Editor-in-Chief of DRONELIFE and CEO of JobForDrones, a professional drone services marketplace, and a fascinated observer of the emerging drone industry and the regulatory environment for drones. Miriam has penned over 3,000 articles focused on the commercial drone space and is an international speaker and recognized figure in the industry. Miriam has a degree from the University of Chicago and over 20 years of experience in high tech sales and marketing for new technologies.
For drone industry consulting or writing, Email Miriam.
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