ArcGIS Field Maps vs Transect

ArcGIS is available on your desktop, in a browser, and now on your iPhone or iPad. ArcGIS Field Maps is Esri’s premier maps app on mobile devices. Field Maps helps mobile workers understand their surroundings, find assets, collect data, and perform inspections, leveraging interactive digital maps that contain up-to-date GIS data from their organization. It includes powerful features like location sharing, smart forms for efficient data collection, geofence alerts, and the ability to complete fieldwork even when offline. Whether you're part of a utility crew, a conservation team, or a city inspection unit,Field Mapsis designed to support the work you do on the ground. Note about permissions:Field Maps is designed for organizational use. This app requires you to have an ArcGIS organizational account to collect and update data. Public maps shared by organizations can be viewed without signing in. Understand your surroundings: - View assets and surrounding landmarks or places on GPS-enabled maps. - Search for assets and access important information about them. - Use compass guidance to lead you directly to assets and locations. - Scan barcodes or QR codes to pull up asset records instantly. - Annotate directly on the map with your finger or stylus to create personal notes. - Leverage integration with voice-guided turn-by-turn navigation apps to get to your assets. - Stay safe with geofence alerts as you enter fire zones, wildlife habitats, work areas, etc. - Measure distances and areas in the map. - Gain advanced understanding by viewing and tracing utility networks. - View stationing information along linear assets. - View assets and locations in floor-aware indoor maps. Perform data capture and inspections: - Create new or edit existing asset data. - Connect to external GNSS receivers for high-accuracy data. - Digitally document inspection records. - Capture photos, videos, and other attachments. - Speed up data capture with smart forms and reduce manual entry by automatically filling in fields like date or inspector name and making automated calculations. - Share your updates instantly with your organization when using an online map and automatically sync stored updates to offline maps when connected. - Collect assets and perform inspections indoors. Share your location for coordination & safety: - Share your location with supervisors and teammates (when enabled). - View teammate locations to coordinate efforts and ensure safety (when enabled). - Tracks show where you’ve been so you can visually see what area you’ve covered. Work offline in remote or disconnected areas: - Download offline map areas created for you. - Create your own offline map areas on device (if enabled). - Sync edits automatically or manually when connected. Coordination and collaboration: - View edits and contributions from others as they are synced with your map. - Use tasks to view and complete field assignments from a to-do list. - Stakeholders can view fieldwork progress in the office and make data-informed decisions. Note: Continued use of GPS running in the background can dramatically decrease battery life.

Transect Navigator keeps you on your survey line so you can keep your eyes on the ground. Set your line spacing and orientation, tap Start, and walk. The app tracks your offset from the target line in real time and warns you with haptics and directional audio when you drift — a first alert at the distance you choose, a stronger one if you keep going. No staring at a screen when you should be scanning for sign. BUILT FOR FIELD PROTOCOLS - Two configurable alert distances with distinct feedback - Grace period: step off-line briefly to dodge a wash or check a burrow without nuisance alerts — one quiet countdown, then normal alerts resume - Auto-pause for longer stops off the line - Advance to the next line with one tap; spacing is preserved APPLE WATCH Start, stop, pause, and adjust lines from your wrist. The watch shows your live offset and gives its own haptic guidance — leave the phone in your pack. ACCURACY Live UTM coordinates and a GPS accuracy indicator. Works with external GNSS receivers (such as Bad Elf) for sub-meter work, or the phone's built-in GPS anywhere. GPS needs no cell coverage. YOUR DATA STAYS YOURS Surveys auto-save every two minutes and are stored on your device. Export any session as KML or CSV — timestamps, lat/long, UTM, and accuracy for every point — straight to the Files app. Nothing is uploaded anywhere. Built by a working wildlife biologist for protocol-level coverage surveys: desert tortoise clearance, condition assessments, botanical grids — any survey where straight, evenly spaced lines matter.