Point Capture

Point capture lets you record GPS coordinates directly from the map. Each captured point includes a position, accuracy reading, and optional label, code, and notes. Points are saved as measurements that sync to the SiteView web app, building up a spatial record of your site work.

Entering Capture Mode

From the site detail map, tap the Capture button to enter capture mode. The interface changes to show:

• A crosshair or target marker at your current GPS position
• Live coordinates displayed at the bottom of the screen, updating in real time
• An accuracy circle around your position, showing the current GPS precision

The accuracy circle grows or shrinks depending on signal quality. A smaller circle means better accuracy.

Live GPS Display

While in capture mode, the bottom of the screen shows your current position data:

These values update continuously as your GPS receiver calculates new fixes. Wait for the accuracy reading to stabilise before capturing a point.

💡 Tip

For best results with phone GPS, stand still in an open area for 10-15 seconds before capturing. The accuracy reading will improve as the receiver locks onto more satellites. Avoid capturing near buildings, dense tree cover, or heavy machinery — these can degrade GPS signals.

Capturing a Point

When you are satisfied with the GPS accuracy:

1. Tap the Lock Position button to freeze the current coordinates
2. The map marker locks in place and the coordinates stop updating
3. A form appears for you to add details to the captured point

Adding Details

Each captured point can include:

• Label — a short name for the point (e.g., "Peg A1", "Corner NW", "Invert")
• Code — a classification code used by your team or survey system (e.g., "BDY" for boundary, "TW" for top of wall)
• Notes — free-text notes about the point, conditions, or observations

All three fields are optional. You can capture a quick point with no label, or add detailed annotations for your survey record.

4. Tap Save to record the point

The point is saved as a measurement and appears as a marker on the map.

Points on the Map

Captured points are displayed as markers on the site detail map. Each marker shows the point label (if one was provided). Tap a marker to see the full details — coordinates, accuracy, code, notes, and the time of capture.

Points captured across different sessions accumulate on the map, building up a complete picture of your site observations over time.

ℹ️ Did you know?

Points are stored locally on your device and synced to the SiteView web app when you have an internet connection. Once synced, they appear in the web app's measurement list and on the 3D globe. See Offline Mode for details on how syncing works.

Accuracy Circle

The accuracy circle is a visual indicator of GPS precision at the moment of capture. It represents the area within which your true position is likely to fall:

• Small circle (under 5m) — good accuracy, typical of open-sky conditions with phone GPS
• Medium circle (5-15m) — acceptable for general site documentation
• Large circle (over 15m) — poor accuracy, often caused by obstructions or indoor conditions

The accuracy value in metres is also recorded with the saved point, so you can later assess the reliability of each measurement.

Phone GPS vs RTK Receiver

By default, the app uses your phone's built-in GPS receiver. This provides accuracy of roughly 3-10 metres in good conditions — suitable for general site documentation, defect locations, and approximate positioning.

For construction surveying tasks that require centimetre-level accuracy, connect a Bluetooth RTK GNSS receiver. When an RTK receiver is connected:

• The position source switches from phone GPS to the RTK receiver
• Accuracy improves to centimetre level (with RTK fixed solution)
• The accuracy circle shrinks dramatically
• Captured points include RTK fix quality metadata

See RTK Bluetooth Setup for how to connect a receiver, and RTK Capture for details on capturing high-accuracy points.

⚠️ Watch out!

Phone GPS is not suitable for setting out, boundary surveys, or any task requiring sub-metre accuracy. If your work demands precision positioning, always use an RTK receiver.

Practical Uses

• Defect marking — capture the location of a crack, settlement, or damage for follow-up
• Progress photos — record where a photo was taken for spatial context
• Peg locations — approximate positions of survey pegs for reference
• Service locations — mark where underground services were identified
• Access points — record gate, entry, and laydown area positions

What's Next?

• RTK Bluetooth Setup — connect a Bluetooth RTK receiver for centimetre-level accuracy
• RTK Capture — capture high-accuracy points with RTK positioning
• Distance Measurement — measure distances between captured points