topoXpress vs Geo Data Collector

topoXpress provides the following features: • Multiplatform design: the same software with the same rich functionality for both GIS data collectors and Surveyors on iOS & macOS. • Handling and displaying large spatial datasets (raster and vector). • Responsive and intuitive user interface: easy to learn and use, automatic adjustment to different screen sizes, orientations, and resolutions of mobile (iPhone, iPad) and desktop devices. • Online and offline operation: online data sources (Cloud storage, TMS, WMS, KML), offline raster datasets (jpeg, ecw, ers, tiff, png, lan, bil, ENVI bsq), offline vector datasets (shp, dxf, map, GeoJSON, mif, txt, crd, dat, dbf, tab, mid). • Powerful GIS visualization functions: thematic mapping, transparency, labeling, query, layer groups, vector symbols, line types, fill types, event mapping. • Productive data collection: templates, surveying, stakeout, CoGo (Coordinate Geometry), forms, lists, calculated fields, GIS editing functions, sampling tool, and more. • Collaborative mapping for professional users through the topoXpress cloud service. • Extensive support of GNSS receivers through TCP port & Bluetooth, projection systems, geoids, shift grids. Bluetooth Rangefinder support for CoGo tasks. The app can be used in many different sectors: • Field data collection and inspection • Land Surveying • Topographic mapping • Forestry • Farm mapping • Utility mapping and inspection • Archeology *** NOTE: topoXpress offers all specified GIS functions free of charge. However, loading more than 10.000 records, saving and exporting your job can be done through our cloud service. Please visit our website for further details: https://topoXpress.com **NOTE ON BATTERY USAGE: The app may dramatically decrease battery life during the use with large spatial datasets. The app supports optional background location services, which can may cause a faster battery drain than usual.

Geo Data Collector turns your iPhone or iPad into an offline-first field GIS for mapping, asset inspection, structured data collection, surveying calculations, and construction layout job preparation. FIELD DATA COLLECTION • Capture points, lines, and polygons with attributes and photos. • Build forms in the app or import shareable JSON form designs. • Mark fields as required or optional and use text, number, date, checkbox, radio-button, and selection controls. • Review, search, edit, delete, and return to collected features on the map. EXTERNAL GNSS, RTK & NTRIP • Connect a compatible Bluetooth GNSS receiver that outputs NMEA 0183. • Stream validated RTCM 3 corrections from NTRIP v1/v2 RTN or CORS casters to the external rover. • Monitor fix type, receiver-reported accuracy, DOP, satellite count, signal quality, correction age, and data freshness. • Apply configurable quality gates, stable-fix checks, and ECEF/ENU point averaging before capture. • Preserve observations, occupations, antenna information, quality decisions, and available coordinate-operation provenance in versioned archives. The external receiver computes the RTK position solution. Achievable accuracy depends on the receiver, antenna, environment, correction service, configuration, and field procedures. SURVEYING & GEODESY TOOLS • Planar COGO inverse and forward calculations. • WGS84 geodesic inverse and direct calculations. • Polygon area, perimeter, orientation, and centroid. • Slope distance, grade, inclination, and elevation difference. • Stakeout deltas, Bowditch traverse adjustment, and angular-closure diagnostics. • WGS84 ECEF/UTM operations, explicit control localization, and auditable geodesy reports. CONSTRUCTION LAYOUT PREPARATION • Create and manage layout jobs and design targets. • Import targets from supported GeoJSON and CSV/ASCII point files. • Configure metric, international-foot, or US-survey-foot units and horizontal/vertical tolerances. • Build a 2D site localization from control pairs and review residual diagnostics. • Export as-built CSV, stake-report JSON, and Markdown field reports. OFFLINE MAPS & OPEN DATA • Work with GeoPackage, GeoJSON, raster MBTiles, and vector MBTiles. • Use online and offline basemaps, including vector, terrain/topographic, hillshade, satellite, and boundary layers where available. • Browse searchable attribute tables and control layer styling, visibility, opacity, and display order. • Convert supported vector formats, including zipped Shapefile, KML, GPX, CSV, and WKT, into app-ready data. FIELD OPERATIONS • Measure distance and area, record GPS tracks, search OpenStreetMap, save spatial bookmarks, and view coordinates in multiple formats. • Use offline field projects, field editing workflows, and geodesy/control reports. • Share files through supported cloud, FTP, WebDAV, and local Wi-Fi workflows. • Connect TAK Server and Meshtastic workflows for team position and messaging. Core collection and offline mapping do not require a proprietary server-side database. Some capabilities require compatible external hardware, network or correction services, imported data, or an in-app purchase. Geo Data Collector is a field mapping and construction aid. It does not replace a licensed surveyor, legal boundary determination, instrument calibration, or required professional quality-control procedures.