Handheld Mapping Is Changing the Way We Tackle ALTA Surveys
When it comes to modern surveying and engineering, speed, accuracy, and safety are critical, especially when creating complex deliverables like ALTA/NSPS Land Title Surveys. Traditionally, these projects demand hours of manual work, strict accuracy standards, and, often, access to confined or hard-to-reach areas. But today’s professionals are redefining the workflow with advanced handheld mapping tools that are changing the game.
Meet the TrueView GO: GeoCue’s all-in-one handheld SLAM LiDAR system that brings together the power of Reality Capture, Digital Twins, and Dynamic Scanning to streamline fieldwork, enhance deliverables, and improve project outcomes. It’s lightweight, easy to use, and delivers survey-grade accuracy—without the need for bulky equipment or GPS-dependent paths.
Real-World Proof: BSI’s ALTA Survey and As-Built Success Story
BSI Engineering and Surveying, based in southeast Alabama, demonstrated the TrueView GO’s capability in an as-built sewer documentation project; a perfect example of how this tool excels under real-world conditions.
Tasked with mapping over a dozen underground manholes for an ALTA-compliant as-built survey, BSI needed a solution that would:
- Capture high-resolution 3D data quickly
- Protect workers from confined spaces
- Export CAD-ready deliverables
- Deliver seamless integration between field and office workflows
The TrueView GO delivered on every front.
Instead of traditional survey methods—which would have required time-consuming measurements and posed safety concerns, BSI’s team walked the project site with the TrueView GO in hand. The handheld LiDAR scanner, equipped with SLAM and RTK/PPK GNSS, automatically captured every detail from above ground, including internal manhole structures. The result? Faster fieldwork, no confined-space entry, and higher-quality 3D models for CAD output.
“The TrueView GO is a great tool for as-built purposes because it speeds up the process and cuts out a lot of errors that could happen using traditional methods.”
Jon Hamm, PLS, Surveying Director at BSI
Why Engineering and Surveying Firms Are Choosing TrueView GO
The success of BSI’s sewer mapping project is no outlier. Across the AEC, surveying, and infrastructure sectors, professionals are turning to the TrueView GO for its unique combination of portability, power, and precision.
Here’s why it’s becoming the go-to tool for ALTA surveys and other demanding survey workflows:
1. Survey-Grade LiDAR in the Palm of Your Hand
With hardware powered by Hesai XT-16 (116S) or Hesai M2X (132S) sensors, TrueView GO delivers the point density, accuracy, and field-of-view that rival much larger systems. Whether you’re mapping a commercial property, capturing utilities, or conducting as-built analysis, you can trust the data.
2. SLAM + GNSS Fusion for Flexible Scanning
No GPS? No problem. The GO’s Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM) engine, enhanced with RTK/PPK GNSS, allows it to operate effectively in GPS-denied areas like urban canyons, indoors, or underground. This hybrid scanning approach guarantees loop-free, high-precision trajectories—perfect for projects that demand flexibility.
3. Dynamic Scanning for Real-Time Feedback
With the dedicated TrueView GO tablet, users can visualize their scans in real time as they walk the site. This dynamic scanning approach ensures full site coverage without redundant passes or missed sections. Your data is visualized, colorized, and georeferenced on the spot.
4. Automatic Colorization via Triple-Camera Setup
Three integrated cameras capture visuals from multiple angles and instantly apply them to your point cloud. The result: colorized, highly contextualized data that simplifies verification and enhances final deliverables like site plans, floor plans, and digital twins.
5. One Unified System—No Cables, No Hassles
Unlike pieced-together SLAM kits, the TrueView GO is a fully integrated package:
- No external battery
- No additional tablet or phone needed
- No cables to manage in the field Just grab it, scan, and process—it’s engineered for ease of use by both experienced surveyors and new team members alike.
What Makes TrueView GO Perfect for ALTA Surveys?
ALTA surveys are all about accuracy, documentation, and defensibility. Here’s how the TrueView GO is purpose-built for the job:
High-Resolution Point Clouds
Using survey-grade LiDAR and fusion of SLAM + GNSS, the GO produces rich, reliable point clouds that meet the precision demands of ALTA documentation.
Safer Fieldwork
With the TrueView Pole Mount, surveyors can safely scan storm drains, sewers, and hard-to-reach utilities—without entering confined spaces or risking exposure.
Rapid Field Collection
No need to set up tripods or worry about LOS with base stations. TrueView GO reduces field time dramatically, scanning entire sites in minutes—not hours.
Easy Deliverables with LP360 Land
Once your data is collected, process it using LP360 Land, the industry’s most robust software for handheld SLAM data:
- Visualize in 2D, 3D, Profile, and Immersive modes
- Perform QA/QC with custom issue lists
- Export to CAD, BIM, or GIS formats
- Create floorplans, contours, surface models, or volumetrics
LP360 makes it simple to combine data from aerial drones, terrestrial scanners, or mobile systems—allowing you to create seamless digital twins that represent both interior and exterior spaces.
Built for Reality Capture and Digital Twin Creation
In today’s digital design and infrastructure workflows, more clients are demanding Reality Capture—complete digital representations of real-world environments. TrueView GO rises to the challenge.
Whether you’re mapping a commercial site for redevelopment, capturing utilities for design, or conducting pre-construction documentation, GO makes it easy to build a Digital Twin of your project with:
- Precise geometry
- Accurate imagery
- Real-time field visualization
- Seamless indoor/outdoor merging
With SLAM-based positioning, you can even scan interior spaces without GNSS and later merge that data with aerial drone scans for full context.
Expand Your Capabilities with Smart Accessories
Looking to go further (or lower)? GeoCue offers purpose-built accessories to extend the value of your TrueView GO:
- Suction Mount – Attach the GO to a golf cart or UTV to scan large areas like campuses or parking lots quickly.
- Pole Mount – Safely scan sewer inverts, overhead piping, or under bridges—all without putting your team at risk.
These tools help transform TrueView GO into a multipurpose mobile scanning platform, whether you’re on foot, in a vehicle, or extending into difficult spaces.
The Takeaway: The Most Flexible and Cost-Effective Tool in Its Class
Starting at just $25,550, the TrueView GO offers unmatched performance for its price. It pays for itself after just a few projects and opens the door to new service offerings—from interior mapping and forensics to construction verification and underground inspection.
And with GeoCue’s reliable support and global customer base in North America, Brazil, and Europe, you’re backed by a partner who knows surveying inside and out.
Ready to Modernize Your Survey Workflow?
Whether you’re conducting ALTA surveys, documenting utilities, or capturing as-built conditions, TrueView GO brings unmatched efficiency, safety, and flexibility to your work. Don’t let traditional tools limit your capabilities. With TrueView GO, you can walk, scan, and deliver—better and faster.
Talk to a GeoCue LiDAR expert today to schedule a demo or request a quote. Learn how easy it is to integrate SLAM scanning and Reality Capture into your surveying workflow.