Epoch 35 vs R8 Model 2 review/ critique

I rented an Epoch 35 off and on for a year using the Ohio ODOT VRS network and it worked great. I ended up purchasing it and it went down hill from there. I couldn't get a fix and if it did it took for ever. Sent it in a couple times and even had the board replaced, but it never improved. The dealer ended up replacing it with an Epoch 50 and I've never looked back. I was told they had to do the same for some other Epoch 35 users in the area.

Before I went to work surveying I worked for 9 years at a Trimble dealer that also sold Spectra. We had nothing but problems with the Epoch 35 - had to take some back, they all failed at some point, and Spectra couldn't or wouldn't support them because it was a Novatel board. Steer clear of them they're garbage.

On the other hand, the R8-2, Epoch 25, and Epoch 50 are all rock solid. The Epoch 25 was basically a Trimble 5800II; the Epoch 50 has the same specs as the R8-3 but is not manufactured to the same standards as far as things like RF shielding. But they work well.

I also vastly prefer Trimble Access to Survey Pro, so the fact that you have to use Survey Pro with the Epochs makes me lean more toward Trimble.

Don't know anything about Epoch. But where I work uses Trimble gear. We have both R8 and R10 recievers and they work very well for us.

There does not seem to be a lot of difference between the two. I prefer the R8 as it is faster to reinitialise if lock is lost, and will do so in places where the R10 struggles. Against that, the smaller body of the R10 is a little easier to handle.

For both we are using TSC3 controllers with Access. Very easy to use, friendly software.

> Don't know anything about Epoch. But where I work uses Trimble gear. We have both R8 and R10 recievers and they work very well for us.
>
> There does not seem to be a lot of difference between the two. I prefer the R8 as it is faster to reinitialise if lock is lost, and will do so in places where the R10 struggles. Against that, the smaller body of the R10 is a little easier to handle.
>
> For both we are using TSC3 controllers with Access. Very easy to use, friendly software.

Interesting - the benefits you describe for the R8 are pretty much what the R10 is sold on - speed to lock and ability to lock.

I know that's how they sell it...

The R10 does seem to hold lock a little better, but the R8 is noticably better at reinit in 'dodgy' conditions. Maybe the size of the antenna has something to do with it - the R8 has about 4 times the area of the R10

I think it's because the R10 presents more realistic values for the Hz and V error estimates. The R8 tends to be overly optimistic, especially in sketchy conditions.

One thing you may want to try when the R10 seems like it doesn't want to initialize... go under Measure and to Reset SV Tracking; that forces a complete loss of lock (with the R10) and restarts the calculations, seems to work every time.

> I think it's because the R10 presents more realistic values for the Hz and V error estimates. The R8 tends to be overly optimistic, especially in sketchy conditions.

I agree - the R10 error estimates seem much more realistic

> One thing you may want to try when the R10 seems like it doesn't want to initialize... go under Measure and to Reset SV Tracking; that forces a complete loss of lock (with the R10) and restarts the calculations, seems to work every time.

I just cover the top of the receiver with both hands, or if not already over a point turn it upside down. Should do the same thing - yes?

Also bear in mind that the error estimates in Access are presented at 67% confidence; there's always a 1 in 3 chance that you're well outside of what it's telling you. Although it does seem like the days of incorrect integer values are pretty much behind us.

No!! Resetting the SV tracking forces a complete reset of the tracking; the R10 is still going to track stuff upside down or with your hands over it. Besides it's easier and faster; go in there and add it to your favorites, it's three taps of the stylus at that point.

> I think it's because the R10 presents more realistic values for the Hz and V error estimates. The R8 tends to be overly optimistic, especially in sketchy conditions.
>
> One thing you may want to try when the R10 seems like it doesn't want to initialize... go under Measure and to Reset SV Tracking; that forces a complete loss of lock (with the R10) and restarts the calculations, seems to work every time.

The old "switch it off and on again" continues to be necessary!!
Bit like trying to connect to the robotic instrument after starting a survey. I find I have to cancel and let it find the instrument itself first.

> Before I went to work surveying I worked for 9 years at a Trimble dealer that also sold Spectra. We had nothing but problems with the Epoch 35 - had to take some back, they all failed at some point, and Spectra couldn't or wouldn't support them because it was a Novatel board. Steer clear of them they're garbage.
>
> On the other hand, the R8-2, Epoch 25, and Epoch 50 are all rock solid. The Epoch 25 was basically a Trimble 5800II; the Epoch 50 has the same specs as the R8-3 but is not manufactured to the same standards as far as things like RF shielding. But they work well.
>
> I also vastly prefer Trimble Access to Survey Pro, so the fact that you have to use Survey Pro with the Epochs makes me lean more toward Trimble.

Thanks Lee D,

I think I will pass on the Epoch 35 and go for the Epoch 50 or the Model 3, Great thing about them is they use the same betteries:-)

Hello everyone,

Just want to thanks everyone for their input. I always get solid advice on here. 😀