Overview
Ecobot Collector makes it easy to capture high-quality, well-organized photos while you’re in the field. Photos taken in Collector automatically save with valuable metadata—such as location, date, and time—and sync directly to Ecobot Manager, where they can be viewed, edited, organized, and included in photo reports.
This article explains how to take photos in Collector, what metadata is collected, and best practices for capturing clear, informative field imagery.
Taking Photos in Collector
You’ll see the camera icon in the top-right corner as you move between screens in your survey. You can take a photo at any time. If you’re working inside a sampling point, the photo will automatically be associated with that sampling point—regardless of which form section (such as Vegetation) you’re currently viewing.
If you want to capture photos that are not tied to a sampling point, you can take them from the survey-level view instead.
Photo Metadata in Collector
Collector automatically saves important metadata with each photo. This metadata is fully preserved when photos sync to Ecobot Manager:
- Date & time taken
- GPS location (lat/long)
- Cardinal direction
- Elevation
Note: If you have a GNSS device paired to Ecobot, the data will reflect the external unit. Otherwise, be sure location data is turned on for Ecobot on your device settings.
Viewing & Editing Photos in Collector
Within a survey, you can quickly review and edit photos you’ve taken:
- Open the survey or point
- Open the Photos section (icon next to points)
- Tap any image to view it full-screen
- Edit fields as needed
While Manager offers deeper sorting, filtering, and reporting features, Collector provides a quick field-side way to confirm your images are captured correctly.
Tip: You can pinch on the screen with your fingers to zoom in or out on the photos page.
Next Steps
To learn more about managing photos after fieldwork, see: Managing Photos in Ecobot Manager
FAQs
Does Ecobot collect GPS data automatically?
Yes. Ecobot captures location data from your device or connected GNSS receiver when you take photos or record points.
Why is my GPS accuracy poor?
Some devices—especially Wi-Fi–only tablets—do not have a built-in GPS chip. These devices rely on Wi-Fi or network location, which is far less accurate.
Can I use an external GNSS receiver with Ecobot?
Yes. Ecobot supports most Bluetooth enabled GNSS receivers. View a list of confirmed GNSS receivers.
How do I know if my device has true GPS?
Check your device specs for “GPS” or “GNSS.”
Wi-Fi–only tablets typically do not include GPS hardware.
Does Ecobot keep GPS data in photo metadata?
Yes—photos taken in Collector retain GPS metadata.
Note: Sending photos through messaging apps (text, email) may remove this metadata.