In most routine RTK stakeout tasks, surveyors depend on the compass of their data collector (or smartphone) to guide the stakeout direction. This usually works well, but in certain environments—such as construction sites with strong electromagnetic interference—the compass may become inaccurate or even completely unusable.

To address this, SingularPad provides three different reference methods for stakeout direction:

• E-Compass

• Device Panel Towards

• Pole Tip Towards

Each method is designed for specific working conditions, ensuring that surveyors can continue their tasks even when one source of direction information becomes unreliable.

Before using these functions, make sure your SingularPad software is updated to the latest version.

1. E-Compass – Default Option

The E-Compass method is the default mode in SingularPad. It relies on the electronic compass of your data collector or smartphone to determine direction.

• Position is calculated from the RTK receiver.

• Direction is derived from the orientation of the data collector itself.

As a result, when you rotate the collector, the arrow or stakeout guidance displayed in the software will rotate accordingly. This method is simple and intuitive but may be affected by magnetic interference.

2. Device Panel Towards – Using Receiver IMU

When the electronic compass becomes unreliable, surveyors can switch to Device Panel Towards. This method uses the receiver's IMU to provide direction guidance instead of relying on the collector compass.

To enable:

• Go to Settings → Stakeout Setting in SingularPad.

• Choose Device Panel Towards as the stakeout reference.

• Turn on the receiver's IMU function and finish initialization

Now, simply align the receiver's front panel with the direction you want to move. The stakeout interface will then update based on the receiver orientation rather than the data collector.

This method is particularly effective when working in areas where the PDA or smartphone compass cannot function reliably.

3. Pole Tip Towards – Independent of Compass and IMU

For extreme cases—such as sites with strong magnetic interference or when using a receiver without IMU—SingularPad provides the Pole Tip Towards option.

In this mode, the stakeout direction is determined by the orientation of the survey pole tip. Because it does not rely on either the data collector's compass or the receiver's IMU, it offers a robust backup method when other options are unavailable.

With these three options available in SingularPad, surveyors can adapt to a variety of field conditions:

• E-Compass for standard environments.

• Device Panel Towards when the collector's compass is unreliable.

• Pole Tip Towards as a fallback in high-interference areas or with non-IMU receivers.

By understanding when to apply each method, you can ensure reliable stakeout guidance under different working scenarios.

And if you are seeking an even more intuitive stakeout experience, SingularXYZ Orion ONE RTK also supports AR-based stakeout, combining camera vision with IMU technology to guide you visually in the field.

Learn more about visual AR stakeout of SingularXYZ Orion ONE Series:

• Orion ONE Visual & Laser RTK

• Tech Chat | Introduction to AR Stakeout

• Tech Chat | Mastering Visual AR Stakeout with Orion ONE