Ground Control Points

[Florida Drone Supply]

Any suggestions on brands of ground control points?

The set we use for services is about 4 years old, and more and more often we are needing to troubleshoot at least 2 of them per project map.

 

[R Martin]

Any suggestions on brands of ground control points?

The set we use for services is about 4 years old, and more and more often we are needing to troubleshoot at least 2 of them per project map.

What are you currently using? I've been using Aeropoints for about two years now with really good results.

 

[Florida Drone Supply]

We use Aeropoints and are very happy with the results as well. However, we typically use 10 for our projects and placement and pickup can get tedious/time consuming. As well as the need to troubleshoot them (which typically just involves charging them in the sun all day).

We're looking into solutions where we can use a single base station and place "monuments" of some sort on our recurring projects.

In general, we just want to know additional options that people have used.

 

[R Martin]

We are starting a new project next October (2020) which will be in multiple phase over a series of years (as yet undetermined). The new aircraft we purchased to do the work also came with a base station that is linked to the GCS so the aircraft is operating in RTK mode. Of course, you need an established control point that has been surveyed in by an RPLS to set the base station antenna up on to get your accuracy dialed in.
I still plan on using the Aeropoints, just not all of them for the flights (roughly covering about 70 acres total). Instead of using them as control they will be relegated to checkpoints to confirm what we already expect. You could also just make panels out of canvas or plywood and shoot them in with a GPS unit. i have one acquaintance that prints his control points on a large-scale printer and tosses them after the job is done (though windy days are a problem for him).

 

[R Martin]

We use Aeropoints and are very happy with the results as well. However, we typically use 10 for our projects and placement and pickup can get tedious/time consuming. As well as the need to troubleshoot them (which typically just involves charging them in the sun all day).

We're looking into solutions where we can use a single base station and place "monuments" of some sort on our recurring projects.

In general, we just want to know additional options that people have used.

The rate may be local but I checked with our major surveyor and they charge around $2500 for a USGS stabilized monument surveyed in with the coordinates of your preference.

 

[HawkView]

If you end up setting your own points, these targets work well and are easy to transport.
UAV Ground Control Points (GCPs)/Aerial Targets for Aerial Mapping & Surveying (6 Pack) with Center Eyelets UAV Ground Control Points (GCPs)/Aerial Targets for Aerial Mapping & Surveying (6 Pack) with Center Eyelets: Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific

 

[HAWK-i.us]

I've used similar GCP's that HawkView describes, and they work well on cleared ground. They tend to not lay flat if you have vegetation. Main advantage is light weight. Easily spotted in the photos.

I'm considering going with line paint spray cans on construction sites. Paint an X on the ground with a dot of black in the center where the rover recorded data. No retrieval when you're done.

 

[HawkView]

I use painted X’s most often on construction sites that I am flying on a recurring basis. I have templates and use marking paint, the striping paint doesn’t work very well to get a clean target.

 

[HAWK-i.us]

What's the difference between striping and marking paint. You have a fav source for case prices?

 

[HawkView]

Marking paint has a trigger and pattern more like regular spray paint, striping paint cans have a trigger that requires a special handle to pull it straight back, and a flat pattern.

I buy it 6 cans at a time for a bulk discount at Home Depot.

 

[Florida Drone Supply]

Thanks for the tips, @HAWK-i.us and @HawkView