I need a couple of hirose to hirose cables to connect triple pack to 5600.
Try NEI in Louisiana 337-237-1413
Western States Cable in Utah.
Milking a 5600 in Seattle
JA, PLS SoCal
Jerry Attrick, post: 419974, member: 1585 wrote: Western States Cable in Utah.
Milking a 5600 in Seattle
JA, PLS SoCal
Jerry...Milking a 5600??? I understand. This is off topic, but I am curious. In your opinion, what could you do better with a new TS? How does the 5600 "hold you back"? In your opinion, what would justify buying a nice, new gun other than "I want it, I want it, I want it!" ?
-Scott
Scott Bordenet, post: 420218, member: 10097 wrote: Jerry...Milking a 5600??? I understand. This is off topic, but I am curious. In your opinion, what could you do better with a new TS? How does the 5600 "hold you back"? In your opinion, what would justify buying a nice, new gun other than "I want it, I want it, I want it!" ?
-Scott
Scott, there are several issues with my 20 year old technology.
Cables being first on my list. All of the new stuff I see uses bluetooth for connectivity and onboard "camcorder" type batteries. I have battery, instrument and radio cables to deal with all of the time.
Weight is also an issue with the 5600/Focus10. The rod gets a "power stick" to juice up the active prism and the radio/battery combination are too heavy.
Prism tracking when less than 30 feet from the instrument is problematic, mostly because of the way the instrument tries to regain lock. This is magnified when there are obstacles within that 30 foot distance.
I have not done any exhaustive testing of other instruments in this scenario, but I have seen one manufacturer's "power search" in action and the operator rarely even realizes that lock had been lost before the instrument re-acquires the prism.
I have come to learn that replacement parts for the instrument and accessories are more and more difficult to find. Something is bound to fail that will force my hand to move to something new. The unit is rock solid and, when maintained properly, and does everything I need it to do. Watch, now that I have said that, the instrument will go down tomorrow.
I have a Mesa2 tablet running Carlson driving the 5600 and it works great, save the cable issue I mentioned.
JA, PLS SoCal
My 2å¢. I can directly compare an S6 to a 5600 with a fully functional Bluetooth. It is the speed of set up and the S6 searches faster/better. With the 360å¡ batteries, that I made, rod weight is the same (5600 may actually be lighter), but, the TSC3 does have a Bluetooth box on it now. The Bluetooth box has two issues, the Bluetooth antenna does get in the way at times and it may not add any appreciable weight, but, it adds bulk. We are not having the search issues I see described on these forums, but, it is noticeably slower. If you are in the open with nothing in your way, the 5600 series is fine. Topo with a lot of cover or a congested construction site, .. S6. Agreed on the close search on the 5600. I have four of the old style sitting here, so, no worries from me on parts. The S6 is way cooler though, so, I want, I want
I found parts...cheap. I bought up enough batteries, rods, power sticks, georadios and prisms to out fit 3 crews...for $500! Just the one 5601. The close search issue is an issue, but easily remedied with technique. The rod with radio and batteries are heavier than a new set-up, but manageable. I am a part time engineer and part time surveyor, so with the field time I put in, I can't justify a new gun...but I want one 🙂
The battery issues can easily be solved with cheap 3S Lipo's for both the rod and the gun. I use the Parani long range Bluetooth for communications. I've taken 1000' shots with stock stub antennas. Sure losing lock in the woods happens, but I don't survey much in the woods.
FWIW, 4 out of 5 times I'm using RTK GPS and I only get out in the field maybe once a week.
How far are you able to "practically" (w/o problems) use the Parani with the stub antennas?
I have never had a problem with shots under a thousand feet. But then again I never take shots more than a thousand feet. I only use this instrument maybe once a month.
Scott Bordenet, post: 420781, member: 10097 wrote: How far are you able to "practically" (w/o problems) use the Parani with the stub antennas?
Mark,
Would you mind providing some details on the Lipo setup you have for the active prism and the radio? I am trying to put together a similar setup in an attempt to save a couple of pounds on the rod.
The Paranoia setup is no longer an option for me since I went to the Carlson data collector. I was using Paranis in the past when a Ranger was my DC.
Thanks, in advance for your input.
JA, PLS SoCal
Jerry Attrick, post: 421092, member: 1585 wrote: The Paranoia setup is no longer an option for me since I went to the Carlson data collector.
Which Carlson DC, and why do the Paranis not work with it?
Jim Frame, post: 421095, member: 10 wrote: Which Carlson DC, and why do the Paranis not work with it?
Jim,
I bought a Mesa2 branded as a Carlson RT3. For some reason, inserting the Paranis into the mix breaks a connection that never gets reset.
The serial connection between instrument and Ranger was able to be interrupted to insert the Paranis, but the RT3 (via USB) to instrument connection is more sensitive somehow and does not re-establish the link. There are drivers involved and I have given up on the Paranis, after numerous attempts.
JA, PLS SoCal
Jerry Attrick, post: 421092, member: 1585 wrote: Mark,
Would you mind providing some details on the Lipo setup you have for the active prism and the radio? I am trying to put together a similar setup in an attempt to save a couple of pounds on the rod.
The Paranoia setup is no longer an option for me since I went to the Carlson data collector. I was using Paranis in the past when a Ranger was my DC.
Thanks, in advance for your input.
JA, PLS SoCal
I use a 1000mah Zippy ( http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/141484792060?lpid=82&chn=ps&ul_noapp=true ) for the rod. I made my own cable (Hirose one end, XT 90 the other). See the Hirose pinouts for which pins to solder for power). I did the same for the gun but use larger capacity 3S batteries (I think 2400mah). They give me about 3 or 4 hours per battery.