Improved Data Collection with ArcGIS Collector
A new record! Almost a year and a half between posts!
I didn't say it was a good record...
At any rate, here's a little tip I just stumbled across for working more efficiently with ArcGIS Collector. We have put together a few Collector apps for some clients as of late, and in many cases the data collection is happening offline, and without accurate GPS location information.
The new and improved offline collection features, including the ability to collect related data while offline, is incredibly slick. For example, it is now possible to take 'instrument readings' in a disconnected environment, like say when you're 1 km underground where a GPS signal is a little hard to come by...
Sorry, got a little sidetracked, back to the issue at hand. Something that has annoyed me with the data collection is that Collector is always trying to use your GPS location to help you with the data collection. But when you're in these disconnected environments this feature ends up being a hindrance, because when you click the '+' to add a new feature it always zooms the map to where it 'thinks' you are. So you end up having to zoom out and and try to find where you actually want to locate the feature...
A solution to this issue is to NOT click the '+' button to add a new feature. The alternative workflow is to long-hold at the location you want to place a feature and a location popup will appear. Click the menu button (3 dots) on the popup and select 'Collect here'.
I didn't say it was a good record...
At any rate, here's a little tip I just stumbled across for working more efficiently with ArcGIS Collector. We have put together a few Collector apps for some clients as of late, and in many cases the data collection is happening offline, and without accurate GPS location information.
The new and improved offline collection features, including the ability to collect related data while offline, is incredibly slick. For example, it is now possible to take 'instrument readings' in a disconnected environment, like say when you're 1 km underground where a GPS signal is a little hard to come by...
Sorry, got a little sidetracked, back to the issue at hand. Something that has annoyed me with the data collection is that Collector is always trying to use your GPS location to help you with the data collection. But when you're in these disconnected environments this feature ends up being a hindrance, because when you click the '+' to add a new feature it always zooms the map to where it 'thinks' you are. So you end up having to zoom out and and try to find where you actually want to locate the feature...
A solution to this issue is to NOT click the '+' button to add a new feature. The alternative workflow is to long-hold at the location you want to place a feature and a location popup will appear. Click the menu button (3 dots) on the popup and select 'Collect here'.
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