Location data in Ecobot

  • Updated

Accurate location data matters for every survey you deliver. Ecobot records the location your device provides, from your phone's built-in GPS or from an external GNSS receiver. This article explains where to check location accuracy in Ecobot Collector and Ecobot Manager, and why photos sometimes arrive without location data.

Where location data comes from

Ecobot uses the location from your device's GPS hardware:

  • the built-in GPS in your phone or tablet, or
  • an external GNSS receiver connected to it. See Compatible GNSS devices.

With an external receiver, Collector shows the full set of GNSS details, such as fix quality, PDOP and the number of satellites. A phone's built-in GPS doesn't report those.

Check location accuracy in Collector

Collector shows your location and its accuracy wherever you record data.

When you add a point

The Add Point screen shows the Location Provider, the point's Latitude, Longitude and Altitude, and its Accuracy in meters.

The Add Point screen in Ecobot Collector, showing the location provider, latitude, longitude, altitude and accuracy

On a point

Open the point, then Sampling Point Information. Under Location:

  • View Captured Data shows the location data recorded with the point.
  • View Live Location Data shows your location and accuracy right now.

A point's location in Ecobot Collector, with View Captured Data and View Live Location Data highlighted

When you take a photo

The camera screen shows a compass, your coordinates and your altitude across the top.

The camera in Ecobot Collector, with the compass, coordinates and altitude at the top highlighted

On the map

Tap My location on the right of the map to center it on where you are. The map's location accuracy button shows your accuracy, and tapping it opens your live location data.

The map in Ecobot Collector, with the My location button highlighted

Check location accuracy in Manager

  1. Download the survey's Survey CSV. See Download survey files and forms.
  2. Open the file and find the accuracy column. It's in meters.

If you use an external receiver, check the manufacturer's specifications for the accuracy to expect in the field. The USDA Forest Service publishes a free database comparing GNSS receivers in different field conditions. Ecobot doesn't endorse its results or recommend one manufacturer over another.

Calibrate your device

Calibrating your phone or tablet regularly gives you more accurate coordinates in Collector, more reliable compass headings, and more confidence in your field data. Follow your device's own calibration steps.

Why photos sometimes arrive without location data

When you upload photos to Manager, some may be missing their latitude, longitude, compass direction or elevation. This usually comes from how the photo was taken or moved, not from Ecobot. Phones and cameras store that information in the photo file as EXIF metadata, and it's lost if:

  • location services were off, or the device doesn't support GPS tagging, when the photo was taken;
  • the photo was taken in a third-party app (such as Google Drive or OneDrive) instead of the phone's own camera app;
  • the photo was moved in a way that strips metadata, such as Slack (unless it's zipped first) or a text message.

To keep it, take photos with your phone's own camera app, and move them to your computer with AirDrop or a USB cable. If you email photos, send them full size as attachments, and check one in Manager to make sure its location came through.

For more help, see Photos are missing location data.