Does Star*Net require a USB dongle to run LARGE adjustments?
We have some projects that need to have lots of points tied from multiple instrument stations. Our error budget is VERY SMALL. I used Star*Net a few times in the past and think that it may be the answer to our problem. We have Leica equipment and LGO but the LSA doesn't seem to be a friendly as Star*Net. I like the option of plotting my error elippse. We can't use flash memory on our computers is the problem, and most USB dongles have flash memory in them.
> Does Star*Net require a USB dongle to run LARGE adjustments?
The older versions of Star*Net Pro (I use Ver. 6) require a USB hardware key and I'd assume that the newer versions do as well.
> Does Star*Net require a USB dongle to run LARGE adjustments?
To supplement what Kent said, when StarPlus owned the product it was available with a parallel port dongle, then later a USB dongle as parallel ports began to disappear as standard equipment from computers. I still use the parallel port key.
With regard to the size of the adjustment, I think the demo mode is limited to 5 or 10 stations. So if your idea of "large" is over 5 or 10 stations, then you need a dongle.
> Does Star*Net require a USB dongle to run LARGE adjustments?
Yes, you need a USB dongle. Demo mode, which runs without the dongle, will only handle 10 points - too small for most uses. Nevertheless if you download StarNet today you will have a 10 day fully functional trial period without the dongle. And Microsurvey has the ability to extend that if you ask and have a good reason.
> ... I used Star*Net a few times in the past and think that it may be the answer to our problem. We have Leica equipment and LGO but the LSA doesn't seem to be as friendly as Star*Net. I like the option of plotting my error ellipse.
I have used both LGO and StarNet and agree that StarNet is superior product for most applications. As a bonus if you post a StarNet dat file you are having trouble with here you will get lots of helpful advise. Not so much with LGO. Still, if you already own LGO (including the LSA module) it will do the job.
> ....We can't use flash memory on our computers is the problem, and most USB dongles have flash memory in them.
Not sure if they have any accessible memory in them. Contact Microsurvey and ask, I guess. I have a friend/former coworker who is with the the Oregon DOT and he uses StarNet with the dongle. Their computers are as locked down as any, I suppose.
Steve
I use Starnet with a dongle, ACE-IT made me check and double check that the dongle didnot include flash memory before they allowed it on a CORPS computer but I finally got it installed.
Cliff Portland District
Thanks Cliff, I was not sure and did not want to go through the pain of getting it on my computer if it would not work with the FACE-IT lockdowns. I can probably do it in demo mode, we should have less than 10 instrument stations but a lot of side shots.
I think it's 10 points total, not just inst. points....
