Wireless RS-232C to Bluetooth Adapters
Looking for recommendations for wireless RS-232C to Bluetooth adapters for our Topcon DL- 502 digital levels. We use MAGNET Field software and FC-5000 field controllers.
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I put together one, maybe three years ago, for BT’ing serial NMEA0183 data from a chartplotter to Carlson SurvCE so that we could add depth soundings to RTK observations. The BT was something like this:
But without the aerial, so I think it was a lower class (shorter range). It needed a null modem and a power supply (in this case I used 2 or 3 1.5V AA rechargeable batteries). I’m away for 3 days, but when I get back I’ll post some images of the setup. It works well, and it’s a great feeling when you get things up and running.
Sena Paranis work well too, and come with optional battery packs if power is not available on the levels RS232 port. You would also need a data cable, probably from Topcon, to convert the RS-232 port to a DB9 connector.
Thanks!
MHSena Paranis work well too
Thanks!
MH
Mark,
As I explained on the phone the solution is a Sena SD-1000 Serial to Bluetooth. But you explained that you(or the county) has no budget to make any purchase for the survey dept, even this lost cost $160 option.
Sorry to say this but you can’t help those that won’t help themselves.
Here’s the one I put together. I originally put it together as a BT for a Sokkia Set 3B so that it could wirelessly talk with a iPAQ DC, but then I pulled it and wired it up for the depth sounder – to RTK SurvCE.
The BT module in it is the one on the left below:
The black case strapped to the back is the DC battery pack, lasts forever as the BT power demand is low. I’ve also wired in a digital voltage display.
You need to be able to serial connect to a computer to run the BT module setup to configure baud etc.
I see in my notes that I also played around with cheaper TLL-RS232 converters and “open” BT modules and set one up for the Sokkia.
However the “premade” BT link is simpler. All up I think the components were say $50. Research/setup/stress time probably came to $5,000.
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