Digital sample plans can be displayed on the handheld (ESRI Shape file) to navigate among the sample plots (when a GPS receiver is integrated into the handheld).

Many utilities are currently available on the market to create these digital files. Some of these tools can even extract the map stratum from the MRNF's ecoforestry database. Other related data can also be extracted such as map sheet number, plot, stand number, ecological type, etc. When they exist, these data can be consulted in the EZTige entry forms.

Using the digital sample plan is optional with EZTige. However, it is important to understand that, without the digital plan, navigation among the sample plots is impossible using the GPS.