We would like to renew our equipment, now we have a pair of ashtech promark 500 and we have a thought to go to Spectra precision sp 80 pair.
Did anyone of you use them? Are the work under canopy or in diffucult places as the dealer says? Maybe someone have done some comparison with measurments from totla station (under canopy) to tell us if is ok?
The PM800's would run circles around the PM500's.
The SP80's will run circles around the PM800's.
I guess this means the SP80 will be double running circles around your PM500's?
Trust your dealer, You won't believe the difference under canopy. Base-Rover (matched) pairs are the best as the SP80 will track everything and every signal in the sky but work best if they have corrections for all signals. The internal (bolt in) radios are trick too.
The SP80's will come with 2-year warranty. After the first two years they will continue to work, but if you need to update the firmware you will need to put them in a maintenance contract. $780 each per year (list.) Best to know about this upfront.
Also, there is a factory sale on SP60's right now. The SP60 has the same radios, same engine. The head is a little smaller, only has one battery but may last longer. Maintenance is only $549 per year on the SP60's. If you are going to use in a network then I think the SP80's may be best, but if you are only base / rover pair then look at the SP60's too.
I don't think there is a better fixing engine available than the SP80/SP60's. There are engines that are just as good, and one may be better than another in a specific condition. But none better.
I rented one a couple of weeks ago. It. worked great. And I also worked with someone that used it a a frequent basis and really liked it.
Ive used an SpP80 base/rover with bolt on radio for 4-5 months with survey pro at the data collector. I am impressed by the fixes, though I've still seen some bad fixes (+-3') under canopy doing recon. These are in places I KNOW a bad fix is possible or even likely, and really just expected a float.
I'd recommend a 12v battery at base (cable is $150 or more). We were getting about 6 hours max at base from pop in batteries, full 8 hours at rover with same batteries. I like the antenna in rod, but I miss a retractable rod versus the 2 piece fixed rod. Fine for topo, but akward in the woods. The units generally strike me as built for light duty topo/layout, but they have performed day in/day out with no issues. Just an honest take from field use, after 14+ years with GPS (topcon, ashtech, trimble). I'd probably but another set simply for the performance you get for the price and I like survey pro software.
You do have to convert static data to submit to OPUS with a free rinex converter from what I have found.
A former employer had SP80s and they worked just fine.
I would be just a little concerned about build quality. I'm not sure just how long these things will last in normal service. But, the way things are, since it will probably be functionally obsolete before you make your last payment maybe that isn't such a bad deal.
