Map Electric Utility with Lightning Speed and Accuracy

Electric utilities need speed. They also need proof. Bad Elf GNSS paired with ProStar’s PointMan gives crews a practical way to capture precise utility data in the field, push it to the office, and keep projects moving. This is why the pairing matters: it is mobile, cloud-connected, utility-focused, and built to reduce the friction that usually slows down mapping workflows. 

We are in the geospatial moment. Utilities no longer need bloated, expensive, and overly complicated field setups to collect defensible data. PointMan is designed to capture, record, display, and manage buried utility and pipeline data from a standard mobile phone or tablet, while Bad Elf provides compact GNSS hardware that connects directly to phones and tablets. Together, they give electric utilities a modern mapping stack that is easier to deploy and easier to scale.

Why this is a game changer for electric utilities

• Map poles, pads, vaults, handholes, conduits, and underground electric assets faster.
• Capture precise locations and useful field attributes in one workflow.
• Reduce line strikes, rework, and bad records.
• Support modern utility and SUE workflows aligned with ASCE 38-22 and ASCE 75-22.
• Give field crews and office teams access to the same data in near real time. 

PointMan is built for utility and infrastructure mapping. ProStar describes it as a “patented cloud and mobile solution that connects field and office workflows for critical infrastructure, including utilities.” The platform also supports export to KML, KMZ, CSV, Shapefile, PDF, and GDB, which matters for utilities that need data to move cleanly into enterprise GIS and design environments.

Why Bad Elf Flex Mini fits the job

The Bad Elf Flex Mini keeps the hardware side simple.

• Mapping-grade GNSS receiver for phones, tablets, and Windows devices. 
• Supports iOS, Android, and Windows. 
• Bluetooth 4.0 and USB-C connectivity. 
• Supports 3 simultaneous Bluetooth connections. 
• Battery life: up to 24 hours while Bluetooth connected and logging. 
• Waterproof rating: IP67. 
• Size: 1.8 x 1.27 x 3.6 in. Weight: 5 oz. 
• GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou, Galileo, QZSS, and SBAS. 
• Multi-frequency, L1 & L5 receiver.
• With RTK corrections 2cm horizontal accuracy.

That is the appeal for electric utility teams. The Flex Mini is small, rugged, and straightforward. It brings better positioning into the hands of crews without forcing them into a giant training curve or a high-cost survey stack. 

Why PointMan stands out

PointMan is not just a map viewer. It is a utility workflow tool.

• Cloud and mobile architecture.
• Built to capture buried utility locations plus metadata such as type, depth, and depth of cover.
• Integrates with major GPS/GNSS receivers and cable and pipe locators.
• Supports Bad Elf Flex and Flex Mini on Android and iOS.
• Available on Google Play and the Apple App Store.
• Exports data to KML, KMZ, CSV, Shapefile, PDF, and GDB.
• Includes customizable data dictionaries, photo and video capture, raster imagery support, and 811 ticket viewing.

For electric utilities, that means one field app can support collection, attribution, documentation, and downstream delivery. That is a big deal when utilities need fast as-builts, accurate asset records, and cleaner coordination between field crews, GIS, engineering, and contractors.

Field to finish matters

This solution is field to finish. Crews collect data in PointMan with Bad Elf GNSS in the field. Then they export the results into Esri GIS systems and into CAD-friendly workflows using formats such as CSV, Shapefile, PDF, and GDB. That interoperability is critical. Utilities do not live in one software environment. Operations, engineering, GIS, and design teams all touch the same asset data. A solution that moves cleanly across those systems saves time, reduces conversion errors, and protects data integrity.

What the partnership means

Marvin Lopez of ProStar said:

“Our partnership with Bad Elf brings together trusted GNSS hardware and PointMan’s precision mapping platform to support modern SUE workflows aligned with ASCE 38-22. Together, we’re making it easier for teams to capture, manage, and share high-confidence utility data from field to office.

By pairing Bad Elf’s reliable GNSS receivers with PointMan’s cloud-based SUE mapping platform, we’re delivering a practical, ASCE-aligned solution that helps utility professionals capture accurate, defensible data and maintain long-term ownership of their records.”

Nik Smilovsky, PhD, GISP of Bad Elf said:

“Accurate, affordable, and versatile barely describes the power of this simple utility mapping solution.”

Those two ideas land in the same place. Utility mapping does not need to be slow, fragmented, or painfully expensive. It can be precise. It can be mobile. And it can be practical.

Bottom line

Bad Elf Flex Mini and ProStar PointMan give electric utilities a smarter way to map infrastructure with speed and confidence. The hardware is compact. The app is purpose-built. The workflow is modern. And the output is ready for the office.

For questions, comments, or concerns, email sales@bad-elf.com. Bad Elf is eager to talk with you about your specific utility mapping needs.

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