Hi,
same as with trimble 4000 https://surveyorconnect.com/community/gnss-geodesy/trimble-4000sse-week-rollover-problem-fixed/
I have also been playing with Ashtech/Thales Z-MAX receiver and Ashtech Zxtreme receiver.
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For Zxtreme i have fixed firmware version: ZE21
For ZMAX i have fixed firmware version: ZA00MD05
Is there interest for such firmware? Let me know 🙂
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For these receivers if the internal battery goes bad they don't loose firmware, only the user settings and time is lost. I personally replaced ZXtreme internal battery for CR2032 battery holder and put cr2032 battery inside. This way there is no more soldering and removing of the board from the case. Board holds very well in place by heat spreading compound foam stuff, i had to heat the board little to get it loose.
Hey @robots
I would pretty much be interested in the firmware, one of my ZMAX is asking for a firmware update and it has completely stoped my ability to work. This would be of a lot of help. I thank you in advance.
Even though these units were top of the line models of their days, sometimes we just need to let them go to their resting place on our office's display shelves. I used 3 Z12, 3 Zmax, 3 Stratus, 3 Astech Locus until we could no longer turned them on, no updated firmware, internal battery died, year 1999 Rinex dates. If you noticed with each new receiver that we get to replace old units, the size got smaller. I can tell you now what a relief it was to get rid of the old larger and heavier units for smaller and lighter receivers.
The weight alone is worth the replacement price!
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Hi Jonathan,
Thanks for the reply. I do see the point, although I might be involved in a slightly different surveying field to most users here. Our data acquisition is purely GPS L1/L2 Post mission differential correction with a Rover receiver installed in an aircraft operating on survey.
The Z-Max receivers have been our standard Base receivers since day one, and have performed very well. Our specific data processing doesn't necessarily benefit from additional GNSS constellations, weight isn't an issue (as they sit on a tripod all day), size isn't an issue (the Z-Max form factor works very well on a tripod), so the only issue we have with them at the moment is the additional hassle of having to work-around the rollover prior to processing the data. That adds on a few minutes per processing run, so it's not a huge deal - but would still be nice to avoid.
We don't really use the Z-Xtremes any more, as we have replaced them with Javad Quattro receivers (which we're very happy with).
So, whilst there are certainly benefits to upgrading - those benefits may not be applicable to everyone (including us).
I'm hoping to hear back from @robots in regard to the firmware, as we're not ready to let them go just yet.
Cheers!
Absolutely. I use them (Z12, ZSurveyor) regularly. I have a rinex date fixer executable. So, after download, -> rinex, and run a fixer with two clicks. Not a minute of added work flow. I don??t use them commercially. But they work as well as the day they were delivered. Not broken, not worn out, and a bit obsolete. How many pieces of gear end up useless? ?ÿ
So, they??re no manually indexed, inverted T2, loved by all. But I have 4 Z receivers with matched geodetic antennae. Replaced cmos batteries and like my HP 3805A, great instruments.
Z12 has all those screens! They??re great demonstration training receivers. The red light green light receivers are just black boxes. (Which is not necessarily a bad thing).?ÿ
the date fixer I have was written for me by a friend. Has no options, just browse and click. (rinex v 2.11) It??s about 90% as good as a firmware fix, IMO.?ÿ
I use the Z12 camera event logging for timing. That??s easily worth the weight and bulk.?ÿ
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So after reading this topic I went over to the *bay to see current prices for the Ashtech/Thales GPS receivers. Was surprised that their prices are not as low as I thought it would be. A Zmax was selling for $1600. No takers but price was not going down. Several years ago you could get a Z12 for less than $25 as-is. Must be entering the vintage category. Now most are above the $100 mark. I usually have a limit of $100 or so for old as-is survey equipment for my collection cabinet.
Am I missing something here?
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Surprisingly, a good geo antenna, gps only, are going for as much or more than the antenna. And most of the receivers have no cable or antenna.?ÿ
?ÿgoing for?ÿ
Are they actually selling or mostly just hoping?
There's always that.
The issue with Z receivers is the internal battery replacement. I??ve replaced the batts in all of my receivers. They work as well new. And with the software these days they actually work better than 20 yrs ago. Addressing rollover is an inconvenience.
I did buy a ZSurveyor recently. And it was stated as working, and it??s fine. Internal batt dead, but that??s a cheap maintenance task.
I have two each: Z12, ZSurveyor. 5 geo antenna. So, can??t complain.?ÿ
Thank you kindly!
I'll give it a test run on one of each receiver type in the coming week.
Much appreciated.
Cheers!
i just loaded the firmware in my ZSurveyor. It works (ie: it didn??t brick it.)
Rev E, week roll over fix confirmed. And my ZSurveyor is now a happier camper.?ÿ
Thank you.?ÿ
So, I uploaded the Rev E week rollover fixed firmware into my ZSurveyor.
And I collected a couple of hours, then simply downloaded the file. That returned the time honored Ashtech B file. I sent the B file AS-DOWNLOADED to OPUS and OPUS returned a nice 8 mm position (rapid orbit).
NO RINEX CONVERSION, NO DATE ERROR.
So ZExtreme ZSurveyor users it??s tested!!
(At least in my receiver. I was cautious, I have the loader and previous Rev firmware binary files. So, I could reload the older ver if necessary. And this fix is a true upgrade.)?ÿ
@larry-scott glad i could help 🙂
@larry-scott?ÿ ?ÿ "Newer is faster, but not more accurate." Didn't you mean to say, 'Newer is faster, but not as accurate'??ÿ You'd think 40 signals would beat 12 signals on an old ashtech receiver, but I've not seen it.
What I meant is the accuracy of 20 yr old duel freq gps only receivers and new receivers are the same. Gps only fixed integer static baseline with geodetic antenna doesn??t have room for improvement; 2-3 mm can be achieved by both. But it??s takes more time.?ÿ
ive loaded this firmware in 2 ZSurveyor receivers. I??m happy. And opus reads the B file as downloaded, exporting to rinex is not required. The E file is correct as well.