Location or GPS is wrong

  • Updated

Ecobot records the location your device reports, from its own GPS chip or from a paired GNSS receiver. If points or photos land in the wrong place, or accuracy looks poor, start here.

Check the accuracy Ecobot recorded

  • In Collector: location details show when you create or edit a point, take a photo, or add map features.
  • In Manager: download the survey CSV and look at the accuracy field, reported in meters. See Download survey files and forms.

More background is in Location data in Ecobot.

Make sure Ecobot can use location

In your device settings, turn on location services and allow them for Ecobot.

Check that the device has real GPS

Wi-Fi-only tablets usually have no GPS chip. They estimate location from nearby networks, which is far less accurate and often useless in the field. Check the device specs for "GPS" or "GNSS", or pair an external receiver.

Calibrate the compass and location

Direction and heading come from the device's compass, which drifts indoors or near magnets.

iPhone and iPad

  1. Remove anything magnetic, such as magnetic cases or mounts.
  2. Move the device in a figure-8 a few times.
  3. Turn on compass calibration: Settings › Privacy & Security › Location Services › System Services › Compass Calibration.
  4. Turn Location Services off and on again, then restart the device.

Android

  1. Move the device in a figure-8 a few times, holding it slightly tilted.
  2. In Google Maps, tap the blue location dot, then Calibrate, and follow the on-screen steps.
  3. Turn on Google Location Accuracy (in Settings › Location › Location services on most devices).
  4. Restart the device.

An external GNSS receiver won't connect

  1. Check the receiver is on the compatible GNSS devices list.
  2. Turn on Bluetooth on both devices and pair the receiver in your phone or tablet's Bluetooth settings.
  3. On Android, remove any other GNSS receivers from the paired list; Collector connects to only one, the first in the list.
  4. Trimble receivers need the Trimble Mobile Manager app running, and on Android the "Allow Mock Location" developer setting.
  5. Restart the receiver and the device, then add a point. A connected receiver shows in purple at the top of the Add Point page.

Step-by-step instructions for each brand are in Pair a GNSS device.

Still stuck?

Get help from Ecobot support. Include your device, its OS version, your Collector version, and any GNSS receiver you're using.