Free construction
timestamp camera
What is a free construction timestamp camera?
A free construction timestamp camera adds visible field evidence directly to a photo instead of leaving important details hidden in EXIF metadata. HCH Lens places the selected date, time, GPS coordinates, and map, satellite, or blueprint context into one finished file that keeps its context when emailed, texted, or added to a report. JPG/PNG overlays, pin placement, local Library storage, and sharing are all free. The standalone app works locally without a HeavyCivilHelper account. Activate Free or a paid HCH plan to connect Lens and send finished photos to your authorized project. Free includes a 200 MiB lifetime file allowance shared across Web, Field and Lens. Deleting project files does not restore this allowance.
The ultimate CYA tool for field crews
Standard photos rely on hidden metadata that gets stripped out when emailed or texted. HCH Lens burns the evidence directly into the pixels.
Instant Context
Don't guess where a photo was taken three months later. The map or plan context is permanently visible on the image.
Protect Extra Work
Capture stamped photos before, during, and after out-of-scope work to support review of T&M tickets. Photos do not guarantee approval or prevent disputes.
RFI Precision
Show the design team exactly where the differing site condition is located on the plan sheet to speed up response times.
Free capture, optional HCH connection
Whether you need a quick location stamp or precise plan alignment, HCH Lens provides the evidence you need without an internet connection.
HCH Lens
Perfect for daily logs, progress photos, and general site conditions.
- GPS coordinate stamping
- Date and time overlay
- Street, satellite, or blueprint context
- JPG/PNG overlays and pin stamping
- Local-first: works completely offline
- Save, share, and keep a local Library
Send photos to HCH projects
Connect an active HeavyCivilHelper account when you need finished Lens photos attached to project records.
- Connect with activated Free or a paid HCH plan
- Free: 200 MiB lifetime files shared with Web and Field
- Choose available HCH projects
- Push finished photos to project records
- Ideal for users who do not need the full Field app
Start free, then connect the field record
HCH Lens works as a standalone construction timestamp camera. When a crew needs shared project documentation, connect HeavyCivilHelper to send stamped photos to project pins, records, and reports.
Common questions about HCH Lens
- Do I need a HeavyCivilHelper account to use Lens?
- No. HCH Lens is completely free and requires no account. You can stamp photos with GPS, date, time, and map context and save them directly to your phone.
- What requires a HeavyCivilHelper account?
- Nothing in local capture is paywalled. Map, satellite, blueprint context, JPG/PNG overlays, pin stamping, the local Library, and sharing are free. Activate Free or a paid HCH plan to connect Lens and upload to your authorized project. Free includes five successful attachment uploads for the account's lifetime, shared across Web, Field and Lens. Deleting an attachment does not restore a slot.
- Does it work without cell service?
- Yes. HCH Lens is designed as a local-first app. It uses your device's GPS hardware to stamp coordinates even when you have no data connection. Cached maps or downloaded blueprints remain available offline.