Remote feature capture (offsets) FAQ

What is remote feature capture?

Remote feature capture combines a GNSS location with a measurement from a laser rangefinder to calculate the location of an asset without the user in the field having to physically access it. This enables users to capture forms for assets that are in hard-to-reach or dangerous environments.

Which TerraFlex edition do I need to use remote feature capture?

The remote feature capture workflow is available in all TerraFlex editions.

What platforms is the remote feature capture workflow available on?

TerraFlex for Android, iOS, and Windows all support the remote feature capture workflow.

What laser rangefinders are supported in TerraFlex?

TerraFlex supports the LTI TruPulse 200, 200X, and 360° Series laser rangefinders. All TruPulse lasers are compatible with Android and Windows platforms, but the TruPulse 200X laser is the only laser compatible with iOS devices.

How do I connect to a TruPulse laser rangefinder in TerraFlex?

On all platforms (Android, iOS, Windows) you must first pair the laser with the device using the device's operating system; the laser cannot be paired with the device from within TerraFlex. Once the laser is paired with the device, in the TerraFlex Settings screen select Laser Rangefinder and choose the paired laser. On Windows you will need to choose the correct COM port the laser is connected to.

What types of offsets are supported in TerraFlex?

TerraFlex supports both a distance-bearing and distance-distance offset type. On iOS devices only the distance-distance workflow is available as the LTI TruPulse 200X is only capable of measuring distances.

How does TerraFlex calculate laser measurement errors?

TerraFlex has an algorithm to combine the bearing and distance errors specified by LTI for the TruPulse lasers and scale them based on the distance to the target. TerraFlex is not able to account for the impact of any magnetic interference on the bearing measurement for the TruPulse 360° Series lasers. It is important that users who are doing distance-bearing type offsets ensure they are away from any sources of magnetic interference.

How do I ensure I am capturing the height of features correctly in the remote feature capture workflow?

To ensure the height of features captured with the remote feature capture workflow are accurate, it is important to set both the Antenna Height and the Laser Rangefinder Height correctly in TerraFlex. Both of these values are calculated by measuring the distance between the bottom of the antenna or laser and the ground. These options can be found under Antenna Settings and Laser Rangefinder Settings in the TerraFlex Settings screen.

When the laser is mounted to a pole, does TerraFlex account for any horizontal offset from the pole?

The magnitude of error introduced by this offset will be insignificant compared to other sources of error from GNSS and the laser measurements themselves. There is no way to account for a horizontal offset in TerraFlex.