Survey Mode is used as the first step in designing a variable or fixed slope or grade plane. There are several uses for Survey Mode:


  1. The simplest use of Survey Mode is to determine the average gradient from point A to point B. To do this, simply navigate to the Survey tab (be sure to press Reset to clear any previous surveys) and hit Start. As you drive, the current grade between your starting point and your current location is displayed.
  2. Another simple use of Survey Mode is to determine the average elevation of an area. This is useful for levelling where you want to end up with a completely flat area. Knowing the average elevation of the area is lets you enter this as your target elevation in Grading Mode, and should, in theory, mean you end up with a fairly equal cut/fill ratio. To determine the average elevation, simply clear any previous surveys (by pressing Reset) then press Start and begin driving around the area to be levelled. The Average Elevation will continuously update with the average value of all incoming GPS elevations.
  3. Survey Mode is also used as the first step for using SLOPE-IQ to implement variable slope 'best-fit' ditches or planes. Simply clear any previous surveys (by pressing Reset) and hit Start. Then, drive along the proposed route (for ditches) or down the centre of the field (for creating a plane). Hit Stop at the end of the survey, and then enter the SLOPE-IQ design screen by pressing the SLOPE-IQ button.