Like the title says.
I see the radio and modem upgrades over the older models but has anyone made use out of this stuff? If so, how has it been better than previous models?
The performance of the R980 and R12i are pretty much identical.
Both are tilt enabled. Depending on your country the radio is a bit more flexible, but it is the 4G/5G modem that is the most significant change. If you plan on using cellular connection direct from the receiver you will want the R980
R980 spec sheet here https://trl.trimble.com/docushare/dsweb/Get/Document-1075726/022516-681A_TrimbleR980_SpecSheet_USL_0624_LR_SEC.pdf
R12i specs here https://trl.trimble.com/docushare/dsweb/Get/Document-950413/022516-511G_Trimble%20R12i%20GNSS%20Receiver_SS_USL_0225_LR_SEC.pdf
but it is the 4G/5G modem that is the most significant change. If you plan on using cellular connection direct from the receiver you will want the R980
So corrections between the base and rover can be sent through cell towers now?
So corrections between the base and rover can be sent through cell towers now?
Yes sir and it is a game changer.
@tom-bushelman Man, that is incredible. Have you noticed any sort of lag that way? I assume it's slower than radio by a small amount, but I'm not sure how much difference would impact the precision of the measurements.
I'm not the right guy to ask but I don't think there are any latency issues. I know many surveyors that use cell corrections (TCP) as the daily standard unless there is poor cell service.
Have you noticed any sort of lag that way? I assume it's slower than radio by a small amount, but I'm not sure how much difference would impact the precision of the measurements.
Yes, cellular corrections are or can lag very slightly. It is usually minimal and has minimal effect.
A local radio base will generally be a little more precise, but because of proximity, not lag. The old rule of precision dropping off with distance still applies, and cell bases are often further away.
If you haven't tried an R980 yet, see if you can score a demo from your dealer. I think you will be surprised at just how good the latest receivers are. The R10-2, R12i and R980 are a BIG step forward
Have you noticed any sort of lag that way? I assume it's slower than radio by a small amount, but I'm not sure how much difference would impact the precision of the measurements.
Yes, cellular corrections are or can lag very slightly. It is usually minimal and has minimal effect.
A local radio base will generally be a little more precise, but because of proximity, not lag. The old rule of precision dropping off with distance still applies, and cell bases are often further away.
If you haven't tried an R980 yet, see if you can score a demo from your dealer. I think you will be surprised at just how good the latest receivers are. The R10-2, R12i and R980 are a BIG step forward
Back in the 2006-2008 timeframe using VRS with TSCe and the TSC2 running survey controller there were a few outsourced applications we recommended to our clients on our network that they could check the latency from cell to server on. It was like clockwork. About the time school let out was the most problematic. Someone going back the next day at a different time saw the biggest differences . I could look at time stamps and almost always chalk it up to latency. Latency on a device cell SIM card airline modems etc etc. Also we observed and monitored the latency of the network from station to station and corrections going out.
Even the R10-1 had a SIM card slot, but with the R12i having it and being a 3.5G protocol, mobile providers ended 3G service. So the R980 has a 4G protocol.
The 900 MHz radio frequencies have been used by construction equipment and is license free while the 450 MHz range requires FCC license for your frequencies.
one notable difference I read in a comparison report when it came out, if it wasn’t incorrect info, is the R980 in IMU mode does not refine the position in a measurement but is just each second is a new calculation you can record. So you’d need to turn IMU off if you had obstructions and needed a several second RTK observation.
Trimble should be offering a free upgrade on R12 modems. I don't believe for one second that they were not aware of the planned 3G shutdown in 2022.
The 3g shutdown was known in 2021
Trimble is not the only one. Leica has the same issue with anything older than a GS18. They did update the CS20 to LTE but you could not upgrade and existing CS20, you need to buy a new one (software and all).