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MobileMap can also collect current GPS location at time of laser data capture and store it as an offset GPS coordinate point for later calculation of individual the target tree location. When using this functionality, it is recommended that a high quality, sub-meter GPS be connected to your MobileMap Android device to ensure that the tree location can be calculated accurately.Some laser rangefinders (e.g., Haglof Vertex Laser Geo) can connect directly to a sub-meter GPS and calculate the target tree coordinates directly. When using these devices, MobileMap can receive and store the tree coordinates at the same
time as the tree height informationWhen a tree record is saved, if MobileMap finds offset coordinates, distance and azimuth and appropriate fields for storing tree coordinates, it will attempt to calculate and store the tree coordinates. If the Trees layer is a Point layer (rather than the typical non-spatial attribute table) it will also save the geometry for the record.
Some laser rangefinders (e.g., Haglof Vertex Laser Geo) can connect directly to a sub-meter GPS and calculate the target tree coordinates directly. When using these devices, MobileMap can receive and store the tree coordinates at the same time as the tree height information.
Note: maintaining the connection to a Bluetooth laser rangefinder prevents incremental backups of the database while in the Tree List. This means that if you have backups set to 20 trees, for example, and you collect the 21st tree on a plot, MobileMap will save the tree to the database, but will not run the scheduled incremental backup of the database. The backup will still run when the plot is closed, as MobileMap will close the Bluetooth connection at this time (and reopen it when the next plot is opened). If you are using a Bluetooth laser rangefinder and you are collecting a large number of trees per plot, you may want to close and reopen the tree list partway through the data collection to force MobileMap to make a database backup mid plot if you are concerned about not having frequent database backups.
Supported Devices
While most Bluetooth devices will pair with MobileMap android devices and communicate using the NMEA data specification, we have found that the exact messages sent vary by device manufacturer and model. The table below contains the laser rangefinders have been been integrated and tested to date. Similar devices by these manufacturers may work as well, but they have not yet been tested.
If you are a device manufacturer or vendor and would like to see your device listed here, please contact us. Similarly, if you are a MobileMap customer with a Bluetooth compatible device that is not listed here, we would like to hear from you to see if we can add support for your device.
Manufacturer | Model | Height | Distance | Azimuth | Offset X/Y* | Tree X/Y |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
LaserTech (LTI) | TruPulse 200 | X | X | X | ||
LaserTech (LTI) | TruPulse 360R | X | X | X | X | |
Haglof | Vertex Laser Geo | X | X | X | X | X |
*Offset X/Y is captured from the MobileMap Android device via the onboard GPS antennae or a Bluetooth connected GPS (e.g., Juniper Geode or EOS Arrow 100). It does not come from the laser rangefinder itself, but the capture is triggered when laser rangefinder data are received, so the coordinates stored are the GPS coordinates at the time of laser data capture. It is essential that the GPS antenna be co-located with the laser rangefinder (not at plot center!) for these data to be useful.
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Configure laser range finder tree-level settings found in Settings > MobileMap Cruise > Trees. Make sure to enter exact field names (not aliases) for all tree attribute fields that you intend to populate via the laser rangefinder. Available settings:
Setting | Purpose |
|---|---|
Tree Height 1 Field | Used to store incoming height data, in units selected on the laser rangefinder. Typically used to record total tree height, but if 2 heights are collected for each tree (e.g., merch height and total height) this should be set to the lower height to enable collection of tree from bottom to top. |
Tree Height 2 Field | Same as above, but if 2 heights are collected for each tree (e.g., merch height and total height) this should be set to the higher height to enable collection of tree from bottom to top. |
Tree Distance Field | Can be used to store incoming distance data, in units selected on the laser rangefinder. Typically used to record the distance of a tree from plot center or from a GPS measurement. |
Tree Azimuth Field | Can be used to store incoming azimuth data, in degrees. Typically used to record the azimuth of a tree from plot center or from a GPS measurement. |
Tree Longitude Field | Can be used to store the Latitude value for the target tree. Only possible when laser rangefinder includes an integrated or connected GPS and supports onboard calculation of target tree coordinates based on GPS location, distance and azimuth. |
Tree Latitude Field | Can be used to store the Latitude value for the target tree. Only possible when laser rangefinder includes an integrated or connected GPS and supports onboard calculation of target tree coordinates based on GPS location, distance and azimuth. |
Tree Offset Longitude Field | Can be used to store the Longitude value from the MobileMap device at time of laser rangefinder data capture. Typically used with Bluetooth sub-meter GPS connected directly to the MobileMap device. Used in post-processing to calculate the coordinates of the target tree. |
Tree Offset Latitude Field | Can be used to store the |
Latitude value from the MobileMap device at time of laser rangefinder data capture. Typically used with Bluetooth sub-meter GPS connected directly to the MobileMap device. Used in post-processing to calculate the coordinates of the target tree. |
Configure MobileMap’s Bluetooth connected devices
Actions > Bluetooth Devices
Find the correct Bluetooth device from the list of paired devices
Select the appropriate device type (Rangefinder LTI or Rangefinder Haglof)
Slide the toggle to enable this device
You should see a message saying that the device has been connected and a green checkbox by the device
Tap Save (disk icon) to close this dialog and save the settings
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