Pihta — User Guide

Installing the batteries

Turn the device over. The battery compartment cover is held by five screws around the edge. Undo all five with a flat-head screwdriver and lift the cover off.

Insert three AA batteries according to the polarity markings (+/−). Close the cover and tighten the screws.

First start-up

When the device is switched on for the first time, it asks for two settings before normal use. The settings are saved to memory and are not asked again unless the device is reset.

Maximum height

The greatest height that can be marked before the next reset. Choose a generous maximum if tree heights vary a lot, and a smaller one if the trees are close to the same size, which makes the step interval of button X finer.

1. The screen shows MAKS. PITUUS and a numeric value. 2. Scroll with button X. 3. Confirm with the trigger.

Number of series

How many different series can be marked before the next reset. Usually one species is marked per series, for example series A for Norway spruce and series B for Serbian spruce. Button Y cycles through the series during marking. The series are named later in the map application.

4. The screen changes to SARJOJEN MÄÄRÄ and a numeric value (1–10). 5. Scroll with button X. 6. Confirm with the trigger.

Acquiring a GPS signal

The screen shows HAETAAN GPS... until a signal is found. In open areas this usually takes 30–60 seconds. In forest or dense growth the search may take longer.

Once the device has found a signal, it will find it again almost immediately after power-on, as long as the batteries stay in place. If the batteries are removed, the device forgets the stored satellite data and the next acquisition again takes 30–60 seconds.

Do not mark before a signal is found

Marking a tree

Walk up to the tree.
Set the tree height with button X.
Change the series with button Y (e.g. by species) if needed.
Press the large red trigger. The point is stored in the device memory.
Move to the next tree and repeat.

The video shows the whole marking process in practice.

Transfer to a computer

Open pihta.fi/kartta in Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge.
Connect Pihta to the computer with a USB-C cable.
Press Connect device and select TinyUSB CDC from the list.
The points transfer to the map automatically, series by series.

More detailed instructions for the map application, such as importing points, sharing, block division and PDF export, are available directly in the app: open pihta.fi/kartta and press the Ohje (Help) button.

Chrome or Edge, not Safari

Naming series and printing

On the map page you can name the series as you like, usually by species (e.g. A = MET i.e. Norway spruce, B = OMO i.e. Serbian spruce). Press PDF to get a satellite map with a coordinate list.

Includes satellite image

Frequently asked questions

Does the device work in freezing weather?

Yes. AA battery capacity drops in hard frost. Keep the device in an inside pocket between uses.

Do I need internet in the forest?

No. The device stores all points in its memory. Internet is only needed to share the map with other devices in real time.

Can several people mark on the same map?

Yes. All devices join the same map session by sharing an eight-character code. The points appear on the same map in real time.

Which browser does the USB transfer work in?

Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge on a computer. Safari does not support this function. The map application itself works in all browsers.

Can I change the series names?

Yes. On the map page you can name the series as you like. The names are saved to the map and also appear in the PDF.

How do I order the device?

Send an email to info@pihta.fi or call +358 40 938 9770.

User Guide