How to record a GPS track for routes, lines and field logs
Sometimes points are not enough. A GPS track records how the crew moved and how a line actually runs across the ground.
Field takeaways
- A GPS track is a time-ordered set of positions.
- Phone GPS is useful for reconnaissance and approximate line measurement.
- Recording interval affects file size and line detail.
- Offline work needs cached basemaps and local recording.
- MapLab Survey connects tracks with layers, notes, photos and export.
Track versus line
A track is a continuous log of where you went; a measured line is a set of points you chose. Tracks are good for routes and access, poor for boundaries, because every wobble is recorded.
Recording interval
A dense interval captures detail and inflates length; a sparse one smooths corners. Match it to what the track is for.
Length is not distance
Track length includes the zigzag of GNSS noise, so it usually exceeds the straight route distance. Do not quote it as a road length without cleaning it.
Mark as you go
Drop a waypoint at junctions, gates and obstacles. Those points are what make the track usable by someone else.
Try these steps on your own phone.
MapLab Survey handles RTK/GNSS point capture, drawing, area and volume calculations and coordinate conversion, then exports to DXF, KML/KMZ, GeoJSON, Shapefile, GeoPackage, NCZ or CSV. Capture, calculation and export work offline. Live NTRIP corrections and online basemaps need a connection.
Frequently asked questions
What is a GPS track?
A time-ordered route or line made of position points.
Can it be exported as KML?
Yes, KML/KMZ and GeoJSON are practical options.
Is phone distance precise?
Good for approximate work, not precise surveying.
Can tracks be recorded offline?
Yes, with cached basemaps for context.
Technical references
The field guidance in this article is aligned with the technical and official references below.
Related: Offline field surveying · Field survey checklist · How to measure land · MapLab Survey