First post, long time lurker.
I've been thinking about purchasing some RTK equipment for quite some time.
I've used static for about 10 years. We have lots of wooded areas here and I've read about the limitations of RTK.
I had been thinking about purchasing the Igage RTK because of the low cost and ability to still do static with them.
I can get my feet wet without dropping a lot of $ on something that won't be used everyday.
A friend has some used Topcon Hipers for sale. Any advantage with either. The Hipers would be about $3k less.
I would opt for the newer units from Igage. Don't get me wrong, I love my Hiper Lite base/rover units, but the radio range is limited. My units are 2002 vintage, and they work great, but I know they won't work forever.
The Igage units are newer, have more channels, and are probably Glonass capable. Mark Silver's customer service is awesome. I have been very pleased with my two X90D OPUS static units. I believe that Brad Ott has a pair of the RTK units.
Our Topcon dealer said that Topcon has stopped making replacement parts for the Hipers
Topcon system boards have a nasty habit of failing. We had one that could no longer get a fix but could still do Static. Meanwhile the base's USB port failed years ago, at least the serial download still worked.
I would go with the new units.
Thanks guys, that's what I was thinking too.
We are using TDS Rangers running Survey Pro.
If I purchase the GPS modules, do you all know if they will work with most RTK units?
Is there a universal data format? Just wondering if I need to purchase a data collector and software that works best for the GPS units.
Thanks
I've had my iGage X91+ since January and run it with a Carlson Surveyor+. I love it and there is not one thing I can't do with it that I could do with the Trimble R-8s I previously used. Thankfully the three states I work in all have free rtk networks and I haven't had the need for a second receiver. You won't go wrong with the iGage setup and like previously mentioned, the support Mark provides is phenomenal.
Worth taking a look at SatLab Geosolutions SL600. 6G tracking, L1/L2, GPS, Glonass, Beidou, Galileo, QNSS, SBAS. 220-Channels, both Internal GSM Modem and 2-watt UHF radio. Hot swappable Li-ion batteries, 24-hour duration for Static, 18-hours duration for RTK Rover, 15-hour duration for RTK Base.1GB internal memory, microSD card expansion slot for extended long Static observations. Fully activated for Static, RTK Base and RTK Rover, free Firmware updates for life. SurvCE data collection software. Local support team.
SurveyPro runs all Spectra Equipment, but support for newer devices from other manufacturers not so much. It is getting hard for the Survey Pro and SurvCE developers to support older hardware (like the ZXtreme support is being dropped by most field software vendors.)
For the X91+ and X900+ the only reasonable data collection software is SurvCE / SurvPC (Carlson) and Field Genius. There is a really good chance that either will run on your existing data collector (but I am not sure because I don't know the model you have.) If you are going to use a network, it is best if your data collector has Wi-Fi, which is sometimes a deal breaker for older collectors.
We can wheel-and-deal on bundled software to run RTK Equipment, it is probably worth a call to get a quote. This is especially true when we cross grade from an earlier version or product.
On the original question, I think that there is real value in at least three things:
[INDENT=1]two years of warranty[/INDENT]
[INDENT=1]the cost of the equipment can be spread over two years at essentially no additional cost[/INDENT]
[INDENT=1]support[/INDENT]
[INDENT=1] [/INDENT]
Support is really-really important if there are any problems, and local support is sometimes the best because you can show up on a doorstep and get hand holding. Webinars kind-of bridge the gap, but don't match face to face.
For amusement, I often browse ebay's completed listings for survey items. A couple of months a ProMark 3 that I originally sold 6 years ago for $2900 closed at $2700. If I had only known....
Then there are the killer deals too; like three complete ZMax pairs with data collectors and software closing for $4,000.
As someone who drives a personal truck with 200,000+ miles and a company truck with 190,000+ miles, I totally get this bargain hunting. I purchase all my toner on Amazon Prime :)... I certainly get it.
M
Mark Silver, post: 337982, member: 1087 wrote: SurveyPro runs all Spectra Equipment, but support for newer devices from other manufacturers not so much. It is getting hard for the Survey Pro and SurvCE developers to support older hardware (like the ZXtreme support is being dropped by most field software vendors.)
For the X91+ and X900+ the only reasonable data collection software is SurvCE / SurvPC (Carlson) and Field Genius. There is a really good chance that either will run on your existing data collector (but I am not sure because I don't know the model you have.) If you are going to use a network, it is best if your data collector has Wi-Fi, which is sometimes a deal breaker for older collectors.
We can wheel-and-deal on bundled software to run RTK Equipment, it is probably worth a call to get a quote. This is especially true when we cross grade from an earlier version or product.
On the original question, I think that there is real value in at least three things:
[INDENT]two years of warranty
the cost of the equipment can be spread over two years at essentially no additional cost
support
[/INDENT]
Support is really-really important if there are any problems, and local support is sometimes the best because you can show up on a doorstep and get hand holding. Webinars kind-of bridge the gap, but don't match face to face.For amusement, I often browse ebay's completed listings for survey items. A couple of months a ProMark 3 that I originally sold 6 years ago for $2900 closed at $2700. If I had only known....
Then there are the killer deals too; like three complete ZMax pairs with data collectors and software closing for $4,000.
As someone who drives a personal truck with 200,000+ miles and a company truck with 190,000+ miles, I totally get this bargain hunting. I purchase all my toner on Amazon Prime :)... I certainly get it.
M
Mark,
Thanks for the additional information here. This gives me some more info. than what was covered in our email.
I'll give you a call next week to discuss further.
I can attest to your great customer service, you've helped me in the past with a product that I had purchased earlier from someone else!
I look forward to doing business with you.
Thanks,
Brian
Brian Ray, post: 337770, member: 10532 wrote: First post, long time lurker.
I've been thinking about purchasing some RTK equipment for quite some time.
I've used static for about 10 years. We have lots of wooded areas here and I've read about the limitations of RTK.I had been thinking about purchasing the Igage RTK because of the low cost and ability to still do static with them.
I can get my feet wet without dropping a lot of $ on something that won't be used everyday.A friend has some used Topcon Hipers for sale. Any advantage with either. The Hipers would be about $3k less.
Go new. Depending on the vintage, but I am thinking that you are talking about the originals, they are no longer supported with firmware updates. Also, while outstanding in their day, it isn't worth going backwards. We use some old Hipers occasionally, but newer tech works better.
dmyhill, post: 339718, member: 1137 wrote: Go new. Depending on the vintage, but I am thinking that you are talking about the originals, they are no longer supported with firmware updates. Also, while outstanding in their day, it isn't worth going backwards. We use some old Hipers occasionally, but newer tech works better.
Yep, I have a pair of the CHC units sitting in my office now.
Now, I just have to find time to set them up and try them out!
It's good to be busy!
