I just updated to version 9.1.1 yesterday and now I am having some pretty major issues in Stakeout mode.
The automatic map rotation is really throwing me off when trying to find the precise point. Whenever I click the little compass icon to return the map to a north-up orientation, it just freely rotates again in a few paces (even when I try my best to keep the phone pointed north).
Worse yet, once I am close enough to the point to be zoomed in to the precision mode with the circle-in-circle view, I can no longer rotate the map back north from this view without pacing away from the point and zooming out the map first.
I noticed the App Store change log says that the old Stakeout mode is available by clicking the “follow” button on the map, but I can’t for the life of me find it.
If the new stakeout mode is not convenient for you, first tap the compass icon. The map canvas will rotate to the north, then tap the arrow icon (see my screenshot). This way, the rotation will be locked, and you will see the change of the stakeout method at the top of the screen.
There is no workflow in which an actively rotating screen is useful for a walking receiver. It’s impossible to mentally track the direction of the stakeout point when the screen constantly flips around every second or two. If the intent is to have the desired point face up in the style of a road navigation app, then it should do so only once in the beginning and lock it there.
Thanks for sharing your perspective. Personally, I find the direction method with the rotating map really helpful, as it simplifies the process of finding the points I need to stake out. Since I struggle with remembering the north orientation.
However, I understand that the constantly rotating screen may not suit everyone. That’s why we also have the stakeout method with the distance mode, which always maintains the map orientation in the North direction.
I’m normally a “North Up” devotee but I have to disagree here as there are also times I’m head down in the thick of it in rough terrain and/or vegetation and lose north awareness and the option for rotation becomes very useful & valid.
I’m also a north-up user and have found the rotation distracting and not useful in the open terrain I generally work in. And, glad to find there is a way to lock it. However, I’d appreciate an explanation of how it would be used when north isn’t apparent. Thanks.
It is possible to lock the Emlid Flow app to keep it facing north while staking out points. When you select a point for stakeout, the app displays a specific screen. To enable the north-locking feature, you can click on the arrow in the bottom right corner, which will show an icon indicating that the app is locked in place and will only face north.
This feature can be particularly useful for maintaining orientation during surveying tasks, ensuring that you can focus on the points without having to constantly adjust your view.
Thanks for the reply Victor. How does a user take advantage of the un-locked, rotating north arrow? Apparently I don’t fully understand something since I don’t yet see the benefit of allowing the north to freely rotate. My experiences so far have been the rotating north makes stakeout more difficult.
The rotating north arrow feature is designed to give users more flexibility and orientation options when navigating in the field. In Emlid Flow, when the north arrow is unlocked, it allows the map to rotate freely based on your movement or the direction your device is facing. This can be helpful in some scenarios for people who prefer to align the map with their immediate surroundings.
However, if you find that the rotating north makes stakeout more difficult, it might be more convenient for you to lock the arrow so that north is always at the top of the screen. This fixed north orientation can provide better consistency, especially when you’re trying to align points and follow specific directions.
In short, if the rotating north feels disorienting, sticking to the locked orientation is perfectly fine and likely better suited for precision tasks like stakeout.
