Cloneable Utility Scout App Tutorials
Download the UtilityScout App
Please ensure you have the latest update of the app before going to the field. We will also prompt you to update the app whenever there is a new version.
https://apps.apple.com/vn/app/cloneable-utilityscout/id6743863541?uo=2
How to calibrate your device for best accuracy results
iPhone Pro & iPad Calibration Instructions
For All Devices with Flat Backs (no protrusion on back of case):
Reset Zero (No Wall Needed):
In the app settings, tap "Reset Zero"
This is all you need if you'll be using the flat back surface against our target
Do not tap "Calibrate" as this would introduce unnecessary tilt adjustment
Target Placement:
When measuring poles, place the FLAT BACK of your device against our target
For iPads, use the middle of the back surface
For iPhones with flat backs, use the entire flat surface
Do not rest the camera bump on the target edge
For iPhone Pro with Camera-Protecting Cases (with protrusion on back of case):
Identify Your Contact Points:
If your case doesn't allow flat contact (like cases with slopes or camera protection)
Decide which part of your phone will contact the physical target (example: camera ridge and bottom of case)
Only Then, Calibrate Against Wall:
Reset Zero first
Place your phone against a wall EXACTLY how you plan to place it on our target
Tap "Calibrate" and hold still for the 5-second countdown
Use this same contact point and position every time in the field
Best Practices
Consistency is key: However you calibrated, place the device the same way on targets
Avoid recalibrating: Only calibrate once unless changing how you place the device (in this case make sure to “Reset Zero” before recalibrating)
Flat is best: When possible, use devices with flat backs and simply Reset Zero (no calibration needed)
Test accuracy: Verify measurements against known pole heights before deploying widely
Troubleshooting
If measurements are consistently off:
Reset Zero first
Ensure consistent placement between initial calibration and field use
For complex cases, consider using a flat-backed device instead
How to use the Cloneable Utility Scout App (step-by-step)
Getting Started with the Map Interface
Basic Navigation
Upon opening the app, you'll be presented with the main map view
Navigation options include:
Satellite view
Topographic view
Street view
Location controls allow you to:
Center on all pole locations
Show/hide your current location
Enable auto-pan with GPS
Toggle between north-up or direction-relative orientation
Offline Functionality
Save map areas for offline use by selecting "Save Current View"
All data syncs automatically when connection is restored
Working with Poles
Adding New Poles
Tap the "Add Pole" button
Use the crosshair to select the exact location
Confirm the placement
Connecting Poles with Spans
Tap on the first pole
Select "Connect Poles" from the options
Tap the second pole to connect
Option to add automatic mid-span measurement point
Confirm the connection
Adjusting Pole Locations
Tap the pole to select it
Choose "Move Pole" from the options
Drag to the new location
Confirm the new placement
Data Collection
Basic Pole Information
Tap on a pole
Swipe up to access the data entry drawer
Fill in required fields:
Pole owner (searchable list)
Pole class
Pole type
Adding Guy Wires
Select the pole
Choose "Add Guys" option
Place the center point on the pole
Extend to the anchor point
Finalize placement
System automatically calculates:
Lead length
Direction from true north
Adding Guy Wires Video Demo
https://www.loom.com/share/b06b7aa342664f38983b4bcd8d8ef12c?sid=a997b716-7c77-4988-bf86-1d27e6f3e544
Measuring Poles
If using the high accuracy stick, please see the below training videos for assembly and set up
How to Assemble the High Accuracy Stick: https://www.loom.com/share/aa34c46afa494da3a2b6766b644730fb?sid=74d02f00-c926-43b9-b85a-057c169068e7
How to Secure the High Accuracy Stick to the Pole: https://www.loom.com/share/d0e5a6cd438f4ed6a6d1079ade030a3a?sid=921e1daa-81c8-42f7-ad10-4dc4de74c15a
Step by Step:
Select the pole
Choose "Start Measuring"
Follow the guided measurement process
Add attachments as needed
Associate guy wires if present
Finalize measurements
Adding Pole Measurements Video Demo
https://www.loom.com/share/9812248efa26487b9b4d640f0e85659d?sid=54ffe563-9a51-4e03-a5f9-8aa92fe492f1
Mid-Span Measurements
Tap on the span
Select "Add Measurement Location"
Drag to position the measurement point
Confirm location
Complete measurement process:
Position under span
Take required photos
Finalize data collection
Progress Tracking
View remaining poles and spans from the bottom drawer
Completed poles change from red to blue
All data automatically syncs across devices
How to Use Offline Maps in the Cloneable Utility Scout App
Downloading an Offline Map
Open the Cloneable Utility Scout app
Navigate to the area you want to save for offline use
Click the map options button (appears to be in the corner of the screen)
Choose "Satellite" view (or your preferred map type)
Zoom to the area you want to save offline
Don't zoom out too far or it will take longer to download
You can save multiple areas separately if needed
Click "Save Current View"
Enter a name for your offline map (e.g., "test" or a project name)
Click OK
Wait for the download to complete
This may take some time depending on the area size
Don't cancel or let your phone screen lock during download
The process first generates image tiles on the server before downloading them
Using Offline Maps
When in an area with no connectivity, click the map options button again
You'll see a list of your downloaded offline maps by name
Tap on the name of the map you want to use
The app will load your offline map and zoom to that area
You can zoom in to see full resolution of the satellite imagery
Switching Between Online and Offline Maps
When using an offline map, there's a button to "Switch to online map"
Tapping this button will take you back to using live maps with internet connectivity
If internet connectivity is poor, you can easily switch back to your offline maps
This functionality is especially useful for fieldwork in areas with limited cell reception, allowing you to access satellite imagery without an active connection.
Best practices for using the Cloneable Utility Scout App
Best Practices for Using the App in the Field
Device Selection and Preparation
Use Pro iPhone devices when possible - they have brighter screens, dual GPS (better accuracy), and better overall performance
Configure the measurement stick settings before going to the field:
Choose whether to use high accuracy mode for poles, midspan, or both
Configure whether to use one or two pole sections below the bottom target (use two sections if there's heavy vegetation)
Zero out the lean measurement once before leaving the office by placing the phone against a straight wall
Download maps for offline use before leaving the office:
This can take 5-10 minutes depending on the area size
Save the current view at the appropriate zoom level to include all required poles
Keep the app open while data is syncing - the app must remain open for data to sync due to iOS limitations
If you close the app with pending uploads, you'll get a notification to reopen it
Using the Measurement Stick
Assembly and placement:
The stick includes 4 sections that connect together
The yellow pole should have at least 2 sections between the targets
The stick should lean against the pole (it's designed with a 2° lean)
The Velcro strap is only needed in windy conditions
The spike at the bottom helps stabilize the stick
No need to be perfectly vertical - the app corrects for any tilt
AI target detection:
When capturing targets, zoom in so they appear larger on screen for better AI detection
If AI doesn't detect both targets automatically, use "Add Manual Point" feature
The system will automatically calculate the height based on the known distance between targets
Photo Capture Best Practices
Minimum requirements:
Take at least 2 photos, but 3-4 from different angles is recommended
The first photo taken will be the primary one exported to Catapult
No maximum distance limit - you can step back as far as needed to capture tall poles
The app captures 4K resolution photos for detailed visibility of equipment
Angle considerations:
Take photos to ensure all equipment is visible
For poles with limited access (e.g., against a wall), 180° coverage is sufficient
For equipment on different sides of the pole, take photos from those angles
Photos can be taken from 20ft, 50ft, 100ft away as needed - distance doesn't affect measurement accuracy
All photos are calibrated together:
Measurements can be taken from any photo angle
When you add an attachment in one photo, it appears correctly positioned in all photos
This allows you to add/measure items even if they're only visible from certain angles
Pole Measurement Workflow
Capturing pole lean angle:
For high accuracy mode, place the phone's back against one of the plastic targets
In standard mode, place it against any side of the pole
Hold the phone steady against the pole when setting the angle
AR line placement:
Stand 5-10ft from the pole when placing the AR line
The yellow line should be on the face of the pole, not necessarily centered on the pole
The arrow should point roughly in the same direction as you captured the tilt angle
If the tracking drifts, use the reset option and try again
Setting top and bottom:
With the high accuracy stick, the bottom will be set automatically
Without the stick, manually set top and bottom points
If bottom is obstructed by vegetation, just estimate - high accuracy mode will correct this
Midspan Measurement Workflow
GPS location approach:
Use the GPS location on the map to navigate to the midspan point
Pro iPhones have dual band GPS for better accuracy in finding the exact midspan
For areas with heavy brush, you can get within 5ft and still place the point accurately
No stick required for most situations:
Unlike competing systems, you don't need to physically place a stick at midspan
The AR system uses LiDAR and other sensors to create accurate 3D measurements
For highest accuracy, you can enable stick mode for midspan as well
Photo capture process:
Place the dot directly under the span
Walk to where you can see the lines horizontally
Take photos from multiple angles as needed
Guy Wire and Attachment Measurement
Add guy wires first before other measurements when possible:
Place the dot on the pole at the guy attachment point
Walk to the anchor point
The app automatically calculates distance and direction
Guy wires appear on the map with correct orientation
For attachments/equipment:
All measurements are taken along the yellow line on the pole
Measurements update in real-time as you move the attachment point
For items on the back side of poles, use photos from that angle
Data Management and Sync Process
All measurements are saved even when offline
Data syncs automatically when connection is available
Real-time collaboration:
Multiple field workers can see updates from each other when online
Changes sync across all devices in real time
Completed items turn blue on the map, making progress tracking easy
Performance Expectations
Time per pole:
Experienced users can complete a pole in about 60 seconds
Including walking around and data entry, expect 5-10 minutes per pole initially
Efficiency increases significantly with experience
Productivity comparison:
Customers report approximately 75% increase in productivity compared to two-person systems
A single person can typically complete 100+ poles per day once familiar with the system
These best practices ensure optimal data collection results and should be shared with all field team members before they begin using the app.
10 most frequently asked questions
1. How accurate are the measurements with the app?
Answer: Our app achieves industry-leading accuracy, comparable to or better than competing solutions like Katapult. We have published accuracy studies available showing our results across various scenarios with both standard and high accuracy modes.
You can view our published accuracy report here: https://www.cloneable.ai/blog/accuracy-report
2. Do we need to use the measurement stick for everything?
Answer: No. You can use the high accuracy stick for poles, midspans, or both. Many customers use the stick for poles but rely on AR mode for midspans. The app settings let you choose what works best for your specific project requirements.
3. How do we handle poles with limited access?
Answer: The app works well with limited access. You only need photos from the accessible angles (180° is often sufficient). All photos are calibrated together, so measurements can be taken from any photo angle, and attachments added to one photo appear correctly positioned in all others.
4. How many photos should we take per pole?
Answer: We require at least two photos, but recommend 3-4 from different angles to ensure all equipment is visible. The first photo taken will be the primary one exported to Katapult (if that is your system of record), but all photos are calibrated for measurements.
5. How does midspan measurement work without a physical stick?
Answer: Our app uses LiDAR and other sensors to create accurate 3D measurements. Simply walk to the GPS location of the midspan, place the AR dot on the ground directly under the span, and take photos. No physical stick is required to reach up to the wires.
6. How does the app handle heavy vegetation around poles?
Answer: For poles with heavy vegetation, you can configure the measurement stick to use two sections below the bottom target, raising it above the vegetation. For midspans in vegetation, you can get within 5ft of the location and place the AR point, which is much easier than placing physical sticks.
7. How many poles can be completed per day?
Answer: Once users become familiar with the system, a single person can typically complete 100+ poles per day. Customers report approximately 75% productivity increase compared to two-person systems.
8. Does the app work offline?
Answer: Yes, the app works fully offline. Before going to the field, download the map area for offline use. All data is stored on the device and will automatically sync when internet connection is restored.
9. How do we attach the measurement stick to the pole?
Answer: The measurement stick simply leans against the pole with its built-in 2° angle. A Velcro strap is included for windy conditions, but typically isn't necessary. The spike at the bottom helps stabilize the stick against the pole. Videos are included above.
10. How are pole coordinates/locations handled?
Answer: The app captures coordinates when you measure a pole, which can automatically replace the pre-work coordinates if configured to do so. This ensures the most accurate location data is used. All coordinate updates sync across the system and are included in exports to other platforms.
How to get support, request a feature, or report a bug
If you encounter any issues or have questions:
Contact our support team for assistance at [email protected]
Report a bug or request a feature by emailing: [email protected]
For immediate assistance in the field, call or text: 317-213-4895
Regular updates and improvements are being made and sent out via email to all active users
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