http://www.panasonic.com/business/toughpad/us/7-inch-tablet-fz-m1.asp
I wonder if it could accept a long-range bluetooth adapter?
Yes, I own one.
It already has long range Bluetooth built in.
Awesome, how far does it work?
ToughPad has Bluetooth® v4.0 (Class 1) + EDR.
The range depends on what you are pairing it with.
also has
Wi-Fi Intel® Dual Band Wireless AC7260 802.11a/b/g/n/ac
I called a reseller and he said "80 or 90 feet". I saw in your previous post that he was probably wrong.
I was thinking about trying one with SurvPC with a GeoMax robot.
That is way too short for a robot.
Topcon dealers tend to NOT want to sell these Panasonic ToughPads. As they make little profit.
These FZ-M1 ToughPads are faster, lighter, more powerful, and cost less than any Topcon made controller.
I own a FC250 and Tesla, which are both crap compared to this. I will be selling them.
I use Topcon GPT9003 with Fantam radio. The connection is Toughpad to Fantam via bluetooth, then Fantam to Gun via Spread Spectrum radio. This way I can use the Fantam as a repeater of sorts. The Fantam is wireless with SS and Bluetooth, and I can place it at the gun, at the pole, or in between as repeater. I've gone over 1500ft from gun to SS Fantam. And another 500ft feet from Fantam to Toughpad with bluetooth.
But if you do NOT have Class 1 Bluetooth on boths ends, your range is limited. For instance I can only get about 100ft away from my HiPer V GPS with the ToughPad.
I would think your robot has Class 1 also.
Yes, the GoeMax has long-range bluetooth. I was hoping for 1/4 mile.
If I had to use an external bluetooth dongle to enable the toughpad I would.
It not only trumps Topcon data collector offerings (the Tesla is a steaming pile, though, from what I've heard from at least a dozen people) but pretty much all offerings from everyone.
I said it a couple years ago, and I'll say it again: The years of charging $6,000 for a crappy windows mobile data collector are at an end. No worries, though, they'll just charge more for the DC software. 🙂
I've range tested an Algiz10 (BT 4.0) tablet with Zoom80 out to 240 meters using the LRBT handle, not quite a quarter mile but you could always add a Parani to the tablet.
I sent you an email contact earlier but figured I try here as well.
I have an FZ-M1 (win 8.1 pro) loaded with SurvPC (v4.03) but am having problems with survePC crashing when changeing between functions like stakeout and store points and when moving between traverse stations. Have you had any of these problems?
It's also been a complete mess getting the cellular to work with verizon...whole other story!
Otherwise, I love the thing.
I ended up putting on the Toshiba bluetooth stack manager software and drivers, otherwise win 8 completely messed up any bluetooth functions.
Gary A. Proctor
[email protected]
Sorry I've been out of office all day. Haven't seen your email.
I do not use SurvPC so can't help much there. I use Topcon Magnet, and Windows 7, works flawless no issues.
I have seen a bulliten on Topcon Total Care that explain swapping our the Bluetooth driver, but that is on Windows 8x. Not needed on Win 7.
I can help with Verizon 4g setup. There are instructions at Panasonic website. Did Verizon give you crap about Sim serial number for wrong size Sim card?
Thanks Lee.
I got 3 sims with the M1, one from each ATT, sprint and verizon. I installed the verizon and went to activate and was told it was not compatible (sim and device). Verizon tech said nothing was.
Called panasonic and they pointed me to new drivers for the GOBI 5000 on their website and insisted that would fix it. It didn't. Same problem.
Called verizon and their next tech said it was because the M1 was not in the DMD (device management database) and that he would get it entered and all would be good within 24 hours. It wasn't.
Got in touch with verizon sales who got back with tech, again, and the now even newer tech did some research based on the sierra wireless modem and says she found a compatible sim type. I told her I needed a micro-sim, but instead they sent me the next larger size! go figure.
So now I am waiting to find the time to go to the local store and get one of the correct size. We'll see. I'm not holding my breath at this point.
I'd like to use the built in GSM so I can get rid of the extra cell phone (data over internet) for my RTK work.
Gary
Verizon can not find it. You need Panasonic to send you the sim card.I have a contact at Panasonic.
Get me your email address, I still don't see yours.
Lee at Leegreen.com
