BenchMap

In-app purchases
4.4
170 reviews
10K+
Downloads
Content rating
Everyone
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About this app

BenchMap allows searching and viewing of National Geodetic Survey (NGS) survey stations on an interactive map. The map will allow you to quickly determine if the control station is usable, and whether the chances that it still exists. Once a station is selected, you can view its datasheet - both in the app and through your web browser. You can also pull up the Geocaching page, in case there may be useful notes that aren't on the NGS's site.

Tools for submitting a recovery to the NGS inslude allowing you to take pictures of the station (using the recommended naming format), and record notes. (At this time, submission of recoveries is not possible in the app - but may be available in the future!)

Filtering allows you view just the types of stations to display that you want - like certain stabilities, horizontal/vertical orders, and destroyed/non-publishable status. You can also directly search for a PID and have the map take you to the location of the station.

Made for the professional surveyor and the hobbyist out there in the wild.

Note that the application will only display NGS survey marks. At this time, certain agencies' stations will not appear in the app, unless their survey controls were submitted to the NGS. These agencies include:
- United States Geological Survey (USGS) - they will never digitize their station database.
- Army Corps of Engineers (ACE) - they have an online database, but at this time no API to pull data from.
- Department of Interior (DOI) - Stations for the DOI that don't fall under the ones above at this time have no API.

If any of these open up an API to pull survey marks from, they will be included.
Updated on
Jan 31, 2021

Data safety

Safety starts with understanding how developers collect and share your data. Data privacy and security practices may vary based on your use, region, and age. The developer provided this information and may update it over time.
No data shared with third parties
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No data collected
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Ratings and reviews

4.3
167 reviews
A Google user
July 20, 2019
Great app! I'm a land surveyor and need to be able to find benchmarks within a particular area, this app is perfect for that. You can search your proximity or specify another location to easily see what benchmarks are nearby. Then touch on the one you want to bring up the NGS datasheet with the description and published data on it. Fantastic field tool for surveyors!
9 people found this review helpful
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Chad Starr
August 24, 2020
Great for finding NGS benchmarks. Has a good interface that shows recovered or not found marks. Includes datasheets. Also will give Google maps directions to mark. Awesome app. I only wish it could include local or county benchmarks. Maybe something to work on devs? Great app though. Saved me many hours hunting marks from datasheets only.
2 people found this review helpful
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A Google user
April 12, 2020
Great addition with a little twist to those who enjoy geocaching. The data sheet for each bench mark gives both gps coords and detailed measurements in feet from nearby landmarks. I like to search using the measurements first and gps as backup. Simple to use. Just like the geocaching website, the map shows locations of BMs, click on the mark to get the name then click on the name to open the data sheet. If you've found all the caches in your vicinity, try looking for bench marks.
6 people found this review helpful
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What’s new

Includes small fixes:
- Less battery usage when app is not in foreground.
- Fix to some user's 'My Location' dot not showing up.
- Adds bearing arrow to dot when moving.
- Updated linked libraries.

App support

About the developer
Michael Morrey
mike.inflectra@gmail.com
1605 Carteret Ave Pueblo, CO 81004 United States
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