Newsletter

Ian McHarg: The Pioneer of Ecological Design

December 10, 2024

Discover Ian McHarg, the visionary landscape architect whose "layer cake" analysis method revolutionized landscape architecture, geography, and GIS development. His book Design with Nature laid the foundation for sustainable design and ecological planning, influencing modern practices and Esri founder Jack Dangermond.

A Year-End Reflection from the Creators of HERE, HERE

December 10, 2024

The HERE HERE newsletter team reflects on nearly three years and 28 episodes of crafting geospatial content that blends education, humor, and creativity, celebrating our community with intentionally designed toons and cheesy jokes, while looking forward to many more years of fun and connection.

Revolutionize Data Collection with Bad Elf and LTI

December 10, 2024

Discover how Bad Elf Flex GNSS technology seamlessly pairs with LTI TruPulse 360i and legacy laser rangefinders via Bluetooth, enabling accurate remote data collection in challenging environments. Safely capture x, y, z coordinates for busy intersections or utility pole heights without physical contact. Enhance safety, efficiency, and precision in your fieldwork with this powerful integration.

Baddest Elves of History - Gladys West

November 12, 2024

Gladys West's pioneering work on the mathematical modeling of the Earth's shape and satellite data analysis significantly enhanced GPS technology, enabling precise geospatial applications across various industries, and her legacy continues to influence modern tools like the Bad Elf Flex and inspire the geospatial community.

Understanding the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI)

November 12, 2024

The article explains the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), highlighting its utility in assessing plant health through NIR and red light measurements from drones equipped with NIR cameras and GPS technologies like the Bad Elf Flex, which ensure precise mapping of vegetation data crucial for agricultural optimization and environmental monitoring.

Digital Twinning with the Bad Elf Flex and PIX4Dcatch

November 12, 2024

The use of the Bad Elf Flex Extreme and PIX4Dcatch enhances a development project by employing digital twin technology and advanced GIS and CAD integrations for precise mapping, real-time construction monitoring, and efficient project management through innovative surveying and digital delivery methods.

Roger Tomlinson: The Father of GIS

October 7, 2024

Roger Tomlinson, known as the father of Geographic Information Systems (GIS), revolutionized the way we understand and interact with spatial data. Born in Cambridge, England, in 1933, Tomlinson pursued geography and earned degrees from multiple institutions, including Nottingham University, McGill University, and the University of London. His academic focus was primarily on geography, geology, and land use, which laid the foundation for his groundbreaking work.

The Flexibility of Bad Elf’s RTN Webmap and RTK Corrections

October 7, 2024

Bad Elf’s RTN Webmap is revolutionizing how professionals use real-time kinematic (RTK) corrections with GNSS systems like the Bad Elf Flex, bringing unparalleled precision to land surveying, mapping, and geospatial work across the United States. Here’s how it works and why this tool is crucial for your fieldwork.

The Baddest Elves in History: Edward C Tolman

September 9, 2024

Today, GIS works like our brain's mental maps. Just as rats navigate mazes, GIS tools help us interpret spatial data, driving smarter decisions in urban planning, ecology, and economics. Understanding how we map environments leads to designing better communities and solving modern challenges.

Bad Elf Flex App and Firmware Updates

September 9, 2024

We're excited to announce the Bad Elf Flex utility app version 1.3.4, now available on the Apple App Store and Google Play. This update offers important bug fixes and new features for both iOS and Android, including improved data collection checklists, a URL-based method for loading settings, and control over GPX export formats. Android users gain mock location support, enhanced NTRIP and RTK corrections, and tools for survey-grade accuracy. Firmware updates for Flex and Flex Mini also improve Bluetooth connectivity and support RTCM corrections via USB.

Esri User Conference - 2024

September 9, 2024

Bad Elf made a big splash at the Esri User Conference 2024, showcasing high-accuracy GPS solutions like the Bad Elf Flex and Flex Mini. The Flex delivers centimeter-level precision with RTK support and multi-band GNSS capabilities, while the Flex Mini offers sub-meter accuracy, perfect for mobile GIS applications. The team enjoyed meeting customers, taking Bad Elfies, and discussing innovative geospatial solutions. Inspired by the plenary session, Bad Elf is excited for the future of GIS. Check out our products and more on the Bad Elf website and webstore.

Dangling Nodes Say What!?

June 24, 2024

Understanding topology in geography is crucial for ensuring accurate spatial relationships between features, preventing common errors like dangling nodes, overlapping polygons, and misaligned boundaries. By fixing these errors, we create reliable maps that enhance navigation, planning, and data analysis, making geographic data more effective and trustworthy.