GPS tracking of drains, water pipes etc

[PREES]

We always have a problem remembering exactly where water pipes, drains etc run and I wondered whether we could record new installations using some sort of GPS app so we can save a file and if we want to find the run line sometime in the future we just call up the file and with the app just walk to the correct point an dig! Something with an accuracy of 0.5 - 1 metre would be fine. Is there anything out there?

 

[Pheasant Surprise]

We always have a problem remembering exactly where water pipes, drains etc run and I wondered whether we could record new installations using some sort of GPS app so we can save a file and if we want to find the run line sometime in the future we just call up the file and with the app just walk to the correct point an dig! Something with an accuracy of 0.5 - 1 metre would be fine. Is there anything out there?

That level of repeatable positioning accuracy all comes down to the receiver and correction technology.

You basically want an RTK corrected receiver for that sort of accuracy. A single (uncorrected) receiver, like in your phone, generally won't reliably and repeatably give you an accuracy of less than 50 cm. That is if you were to stake out your position and come back in 2 or 10 years to find it again, it wouldn't take you to that exact spot, you'd be lucky to be within 5 metres of the spot.

Your cheapest "out of the box" solution would be something like a pair of Reach RS+ receivers and use them with the Android/IOS app.

The original Reach RS and RS+ model receivers are "L1" only GPS/GLONASS/Bei-Dou/Galileo but that's plenty good enough for what you want, around £600 each before VAT. The latest all singing and dancing L1/L2/L5 triple-frequency Reach RS2 receivers have just started selling but they are way more expensive around £1400 before VAT (still cheap compared to the mainstream competition).

 

[Kidds]

Hire one and do everything on the place, and the neighbours.

 

[Pheasant Surprise]

Hire one and do everything on the place, and the neighbours.

Or hire yourself out with one. I’m sure the going “surveying” rates wouldn’t be too shabby.

 

[Kidds]

Or hire yourself out with one. I’m sure the going “surveying” rates wouldn’t be too shabby.

Probably better than farming anyway.Just make it up anyway cos they will never know.