CHC i80 vs Topcon Hiper V vs Others

I have been using an i80 Base and Rover setup since February, sometimes 1 Base 2 Rovers, or 3 Static. Have also used them as 3 Network Rovers on NC VRS. So far so good.

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I have been using an I80 base and rover since March, coupled with a Nautiz X8 handheld running Carlson SurvCE. After having run Trimble gear for 8 years prior to these GNSS units, I am very pleased with their performance. The SurvCE was not a hard transition to learn, and actually gives more control over the work flow then Trimble ever did. Customer service from Mark Silver at iGage is top notch. I have run the internal radios a distance of 4.2 miles with an external radio antenna on a 15' rod with no issues. I would not hesitate to recommend these to anyone. Biggest plus is, we spent 1/3 of the amount that a new base/rover/dc from Trimble would have cost us.

What's the hardware and software on the dozers. Use that.

You might want to check out the ig8

https://ig8g.com/

Loyal

The OP is using Komatzu iMachine dozer and Excavator, which means they are factory integrated with Topcon GNSS machine guidance system that has non removable cables or antennas. These machines don't have external GNSS antennas on the blade, they use the hydraulic cylinder length to set and control the blade.

You can use other vendors base with UHF radio, but if you have Spread Spectrum radios on the iMachines you must use a Topcon SS base radio.

Also I suggest you stay with Topcon to be 100% software compatible with your heavy equipment. This way you use the same control files, surface, and line work file in all equipment. Plus you will be able to setup the base and trouble shoot with same hand held controller.

Loyal, post: 445438, member: 228 wrote: You might want to check out the ig8

https://ig8g.com/

Loyal

Yes, failed to mention these babies are the replacement/upgrade to the i80.

Also, when it comes to construction staking and machine control, I would listen to Lee Green.

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I would avoid topcon = garbage

Yes there maybe more machine operators who know topcon control MC2

i guess this is alright if the construction company is first in with topcon and plowed a ton of blind money into
Top_Krap.

I would work this one as follows

Machine control use topcon JUST because they have single mast other
then that a waste=junk

Let the company REAL surveyors use Leica and carlson DC and buy
ONE topcon data collector to generate the Topcon localisation file.
after using a topcon data collecter just junk

Other then the single mast garbage (alright)

The decision revolves around the machine operator = note it does not matter
for good machine controll operators are like good surveyors visa versa

Just find DTM machine operator and DTM surveyor/designer who will work as a TEAM

Its mostly not about the gear when you take topcon out

Peter Kozub, post: 445967, member: 375 wrote: I would avoid topcon = garbage

Yes there maybe more machine operators who know topcon control MC2

i guess this is alright if the construction company is first in with topcon and plowed a ton of blind money into
Top_Krap.

I would work this one as follows

Machine control use topcon JUST because they have single mast other
then that a waste=junk

Let the company REAL surveyors use Leica and carlson DC and buy
ONE topcon data collector to generate the Topcon localisation file.
after using a topcon data collecter just junk

Other then the single mast garbage (alright)

The decision revolves around the machine operator = note it does not matter
for good machine controll operators are like good surveyors visa versa

Just find DTM machine operator and DTM surveyor/designer who will work a TEAM

Pete,

It's Friday night, have another beer. Maybe you'll make more sense in your next post.

Well Im not brand specific
but topcon / sokkia support here is zero
Drop and run
All topcon will see now is my dust

Yea topcon sokkia cost me a ton of money and delay a project by 2 weeks and ruined my reputation
yes i have a axe to grind
had to call in Leica to put things on track

Peter Kozub, post: 445976, member: 375 wrote: Yea topcon sokkia cost me a ton of money and delay a project by 2 weeks and ruined my reputation
yes i have a axe to grind
had to call in Leica to put things on track

How did Topcon cause this. Was it hardware or software issues? The older hardware I have is fairly solid, are you talking about the newer gear?

[USER=375]@Peter Kozub[/USER]
All modern gps systems are inherently complex.
It sounds like your dealer dropped the ball here?

Peter Kozub, post: 445971, member: 375 wrote: [SNIP]
but topcon / sokkia support here is zero
Drop and run
[/SNIP]

This reminded me of something many years ago, when our agency had mandatory contracts for purchase and Sokkia won it. Support for our TS's and DC's tanked shortly afterwards. Fast forward 20?ñ years... purchase contracts became much more flexible and the assistant chief surveyor in our agency was approached by the same company, and they said they made price adjustments on their GPS and (IIRC) TS equipment to make them more competitive. Well... WE REMEMBERED, and I think every single response was a thumbs-down.

Inferior support is one thing that really does have long-term negative consequences.

Hi Lee

On a 200 million dollar site to indicate the scope of the project
that was going to run 5 years.
I had a toe hold on this project and went out to the
site first day and my sokkia topcon gps recievers would not
rtk fix.

So i call up topcon vancouver for a guess at there time and
convenience world for a solution. Topcon Surrey says send in the receiver serials
numbers for a firm wear updates to confirm. So i did and two days later i call
and go to voice mail (no one at topcon vancouver picks up the phone
with a lest bit of enthusiasms in the voice).

I finally after a convoluted series of calls get survey equipment
service manager and after waiting 4 days He says the the serial munbers on the heads
do not regester in our system " we need the board level serial numbers".

Great why 4 days so i get the down load cable which
i payed $500.00 for i event i am at a remote site and
there is a GPS signal issue. So down load the board numbers
and send them in.

Wait Wait ................................. wait

So I call up topcon Kamloops and arrange a service loaner
which will not connect to the local topcon base. So i call the
local rep and ask him to come on out and trouble shoot this.
He says he is on another site and can't make it out. Even after i drive
in and pick up the service loaner 45 minutes not that far so why can't he
drive out to this topcon GPS machine site and maybe bring some PR topcon Coffee mugs
and a smile..

I know he has time. Mostly i guess he does not want to get his black leather armourall
trench dusty.

So panic sets in i am borrowing a Topcon reciever and DC from the heavy earth contractor
on site. After another sleepless night i call up Leica and they send out a base and rover
with a calson DC at $1800.00 week so i can save face with the project owner.

Back to work with carlson and leica where a carlson shop.

This is why i did have 3 sokkia GSR1700CSX receivers and 3 carlson data collectors so if something quits i can grab
a spare. Well all there pile up to glonass changes. So much for planning and redundancy in equipment.

10 days later

Well call topcon vancouver endless Voice mails. voice mail NOTE im always very nice but zero call backs........
Finally get service on the line and main office said the board serial numbers are
not in the system ^$!(@^%$( i say to myself. Service says i should go call those who you purchased the receivers from 5 years ago.)$@!$@*!$&^@!*$^
Okay i call up Benchmark and i have the zip file reciever frim wear update in
1 hour+- which i install with my $500.00 cable and im up and running.

For sucks sack why was i not tolled 14 days ago that a firm wear update was required

I have always been very nice and payed promptly (id say a premium ) with Topcon Vancouver
but for some reason these clowns don't give a ?.

Well Topcon vancouver cut me a check for $6000.00 and business loss in and all is Good.

Leica will call you back 45 min and or pick up right now