How it works

Photo to LiDAR to Favorability Score: How Lodeline's Magic Loop Works

Updated 2026-08-07 5 min read USGS-credited · Favorability, not gold

Most map apps start with a search box. Lodeline can start with a photo you already took on a creek.

Triptych from creek photo to LiDAR hillshade to empty score ring
Photo to terrain to favorability score. The loop that makes a geotagged shot useful in the field.
Lodeline onboarding showing photo to terrain flow
UI proof: the in-app photo to terrain path.

The loop

  1. Pick a geotagged photo (Android photo picker / media location as required).
  2. Lodeline reads coordinates on-device.
  3. It fetches USGS 3DEP terrain for that spot.
  4. It scores terrain favorability 0-100 and shows why.
  5. Optional: ask the AI geologist about nearby historical mines and host rock.

Photos are not your product feed. Lodeline is built so scouting stays local by default. AI photo attaches are explicit and stripped of location metadata before any optional upload path.

Favorability, not gold

A high score means the land's shape looks favorable. It is not a detector beep and not a dollar value.

Get Lodeline early access

Android closed testing is invite-only while we clear Play's tester gate. Claim a phase 2 beta spot. iOS is next. Own the toolkit once. Stop renting public maps.

Get early access See the compare table
Best Gold Prospecting Map App in 2026: What Actually MattersBuyer's guide · 7 minHow to Read LiDAR for Gold Prospecting (Without GIS Software)Field school · 9 minStop Renting Gold Prospecting Maps. Own the Toolkit Once.Price wedge · 6 min