Bad Elf Flex: Laser Offset Workflow Checklist

Bad Elf Flex: Laser Offset Workflow Checklist

Introduction

The process depicted below guides you through our checklist workflow to assist you through each step of a successful Laser Offset data collection process.




  1. Once your rangefinder is calibrated and connected (see Bad Elf Flex Configuration) and your Bad Elf Flex is connected to your mobile device, select “Laser Rangefinder” from the left side menu.
  2. Tap “Settings” under “Laser Rangefinder”.
​
Required
  • Set the height by measuring the distance from the bottom of your laser to the ground directly below.
​
Optional
  • Measurement mode​​​​
    • The distance that appears on your Rangefinder HUD when firing
  • Target Mode
  • Most recently acquired target
    • Closest target acquired while “Fire” button was held down
    • Farthest target acquired while “Fire” button was held down
    • Filter (Requires Foliage Filter Accessory) that only detects pulses returned from Reflector
  • Custom magnetic declination
  • Include rangefinder errors in metadata, or exclusively use GNSS accuracy



Test fire your laser using the “Fire Laser” blue button at the bottom of your screen to ensure the “Last reading” directly above the button displays a valid value.


​Setup

  1. Check if your hardware is connected.
  2. Check your pole and laser heights (meters) by tapping the heights.
  3. Tap the blue arrows on the right if you need to change the height values.
  4. Verify the orthometric height model for elevation values.
  5. Set the Laser Offset Collection Method. If the laser has an internal compass, choose Range-Azimuth, otherwise, select Range-Range.  Note: Range-Azimuth calculates the position of an offset feature using the azimuth reading from the compass, the inclination of the tilt sensor, and the recorded distance from the laser sensor.  The Range-Range method does not require a compass reading, it instead requires two control points and two laser shots to triangulate the offset location.  
  6. Select “Auto-Capture Target Height” if you need to capture the height of every target.


Capture Control Point

Capturing a control point provides accurate location information so the app can calculate the position of the offset target using the measurements recorded by the rangefinder.
  1. Ensure the Bad Elf Flex is oriented as vertically as possible and has obtained a GNSS fix.
  2. Tap the “Capture” blue button and wait five seconds to record the control point.
  3. Your Bad Elf Flex will beep twice at both the beginning and end of point collection.
Idea
To use a predefined location as your control point, tap the blue arrow and enter the latitude, longitude, and ellipsoidal height.


Capture Targets

  1. Aim and fire the laser using the button on the rangefinder or the blue button in the app.

  2. Note: If you turned on “Auto-Capture Target Height” under the laser offset collection method settings, capture the height immediately after shooting the base and skip step 3.

  3. Tap the arrows next to “ht:” if capturing a height for that target.

  4. Fire the laser at the top of the target.

  5. Continue for all targets, then tap “No more targets” at the bottom right.



If Using Range-Range
  1. Proceed to “Capture Control Point #2”. 
  2. Make sure all targets lie on the same side of the path you take from the first control point to the second control point.
  3. Control Point #2 must be at least 20-30 feet away from the first point for improved triangulation. 
  4. Tap once you’ve moved, then specify if the targets were on your left or right as you moved to the second control point.
  5. Repeat shooting the targets in the same order for control point #2 as performed for control point #1.


Finalize

  1. Tap “Log x Points”.
  2. Choose “Collect more” or “done collecting”.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the purpose of the Laser Offset workflow in the Bad Elf Flex app?
The Laser Offset workflow guides you step-by-step through collecting accurate positional data for features that are difficult or impossible to occupy directly (like a high tree canopy, an unsafe road center, or a building corner). It uses measurements from a connected laser rangefinder combined with the high-accuracy GNSS position of the Bad Elf Flex to calculate the offset feature's location.
Q: What are the three available methods for Laser Offset data collection?
There are three primary methods you can select under the Laser Offset Collection Method setting:
  • Range-Azimuth: This method calculates the offset position using the azimuth reading from the laser's internal compass, the inclination from the tilt sensor, and the recorded distance. This is the preferred method when the laser has an internal compass.
  • Range-Range: This method does not require a compass. Instead, it uses two distinct control points and two separate laser shots to the same target from each control point to triangulate the target's position.
  • Reverse-Range-Range: This method uses two control points, followed by two laser shots towards the control points from the target.
Q:  What is a "Control Point" and why is it necessary?
A Control Point is a location that you physically occupy with the Bad Elf Flex to establish an accurate GNSS fix. It provides the starting or base location from which the app can calculate the final position of the offset target using the laser rangefinder's distance and angle measurements.

Q: How is the laser setup height determined and why is it important?
The laser height is the measured distance from the bottom of the laser to the ground directly below it. This value is required because it ensures the app accurately calculates the horizontal and vertical position of the target relative to the ground plane, accounting for the laser's position above the GNSS antenna.

Q: What is the purpose of "Test firing" the laser?
Test firing the laser using the blue "Fire Laser" button in the app is done to confirm that the rangefinder is properly connected and functioning. A successful test will show a valid distance value in the "Last reading" field, confirming communication between the laser and the mobile device.

Q: When using the Range-Range method, how far apart should the two control points be?
When using the Range-Range method, the second control point should be at least 20-30 feet away from the first control point. This separation is necessary to provide an adequate baseline for triangulation, which improves the accuracy of the calculated offset target location.

Q: What happens if I enable "Auto-Capture Target Height"?
When "Auto-Capture Target Height" is enabled, the app automatically prompts you to fire the laser a second time at the top of the target immediately after shooting the base of the target. This captures the total height of the feature (e.g., the top of a utility pole or tree) and associates the height measurement with that specific target point.



    • Related Articles

    • Bad Elf Flex: Configuring ArcGIS Field Maps for Laser Offsets

      Overview ArcGIS Field Maps added new metadata fields for laser offset workflows in the June 2025 update. Documentation on the Field Maps implementation of field names, data types, and domains can be found here→. To add the laser offset fields to a ...

    • Bad Elf Flex: Configuring LTI TruPulse Rangefinders

      The process outlined below demonstrates how to initially configure your laser rangefinder for connection to your Bad Elf Flex. Be sure to perform all steps in italics both on the initial setup and prior to each use. Ensure that the tilt sensor and ...

    • Connecting the Bad Elf Flex to the LTI TruPulse Rangefinders

      The process outlined below demonstrates how to initially pair your laser rangefinder and connect wirelessly to your Bad Elf Flex. Please ensure that the tilt sensor and magnetic compass (if included) is calibrated correctly using the process detailed ...

    • Bad Elf Flex: Updating Firmware

      Ready to upgrade your Flex to the latest firmware? Just follow these steps: On your phone or tablet, install or upgrade to the latest public Bad Elf Flex utility app available on the App Store (iOS) or Google Play Store (Android). Connect your Flex ...

    • Bad Elf Flex Bluetooth Best Practices and Troubleshooting

      Bad Elf Flex Bluetooth Best Practices and Troubleshooting For articles on the initial Bluetooth pair process please click the link the corresponding to your phone/table model Bad Elf Flex: Bluetooth Pairing with iOS Bad Elf Flex: Bluetooth Pairing ...