GNSS survey measure methods

The types of points that you can measure in a GNSS survey depend on the type of GNSS survey configured in the survey style.

To measure points during a GNSS survey, tap and select Measure / Measure points, or in the map, with nothing selected, tap Measure.

In the Method field, select the measurement method.

The three most commonly used measurement methods are:

Topo point: Select Topo point to measure a topographic point. Most points in your job are typically topo points.

You can use this method with any GNSS receiver, including a GNSS receiver with IMU tilt compensation.
Observed control point: Select Observed control point to measure a point with an extended occupation time and quality control information.

If you are using a receiver with IMU tilt compensation, the software automatically switches to GNSS-only mode when you select the observed control point method, so the point can be measured in static mode.

If the Topo point is configured to perform 180 measurements in the GNSS point options screen, the positional result is the same as a point measured using the observed control point measurement method.
Rapid point: Select Rapid point to quickly measure a point with no minimum occupation time.

You can use this method with any GNSS receiver, including a GNSS receiver with IMU tilt compensation.

In an RTK and Data logging survey, points measured using the Rapid point method are not saved to the T01/T02 file and are not available for postprocessing.

Other more specialized measurement methods are also available:

Calibration point to measure a point during site calibration.
Hz. tilt offset to measure a horizontal tilt offset point using the azimuth of the pole from IMU tilt compensation and a keyed‑in offset distance.

The Hz. tilt offset method is available only when using a receiver with IMU tilt compensation enabled and a properly aligned IMU.
MultiTilt point to measure a point using three contributing tilted eBubble measurements.

MultiTilt is available only when using a receiver with an eBubble. It is not available in data logging surveys or when IMU tilt compensation is active.
Compensated point to measure a point using an unlevelled pole with a Trimble R10/R12 receiver, and have the antenna's offset location corrected to produce a ground position at the tip of the pole.

If you have turned off Tilt in the Rover Options form or set the Broadcast format to RTX when configuring the survey style, then the compensated point measurement method is not available.
Fast static to measure points without tracking satellites between points. This option is available only when in a FastStatic survey.

The Trimble Access YouTube channel provides useful videos demonstrating how to use the software and explaining different concepts.

Watch the GNSS Survey playlist to learn more about using a GNSS receiver with Trimble Access.
Watch the R12i with Trimble Access playlist to see how to get the most from a tilt compensated GNSS receiver.

From the Measure menu, you can also:

Use Measure codes to measure and code observations in one step.
Use Measure to surface to calculate and store the closest distance from the measured point to the selected surface.
Use Continuous topo to measure a line of points at a fixed interval.