Well it happened, we got busy and are renting a Trimble R8.?ÿ Its a VRS system and came with a Trimble data collector.?ÿ I like the system so far.?ÿ Its a bit of a change in the software from the TDS we use now, but I am able to figure it out quickly on my own.?ÿ
It took less than 10 minutes to get the thing going with?ÿour dealer on the phone.?ÿ We currently have a Topcon Hiper II base rover system.?ÿ The Trimble might work just a little better than our current system near buildings and trees but not a big difference.?ÿ Overall I like the quality of the setup.
There was talk about getting another unit to share among some of our offices so I priced it out.?ÿ Lets just say Trimble is proud of their stuff, I didn't get an exact price but just a rough idea and its maybe a little over 30k for the 1 GPS unit and data collector.?ÿ I choked a little when he said the price.?ÿ He did say the R8 could be had for less.?ÿ I really like not having to setup a base but cell phone coverage is a little spotty in my area.?ÿ It would probably work on 80% of our jobs though. ?ÿ So its probably not gonna happen unless we stay busy.?ÿ That and the fact I want a robot first.
I got a quote for a R10 network rover - no DC. 25K. I got a full Javad-LS, T1 UHF base/rover 1W radio for under 22k OTD. No additional office software or DC required....Just saying. And as shown...This set-up can compete 100% with a Trimble.?ÿ
If you are in the market give the Javad a serious look.?ÿ
But we do have 2 R10 set ups and a R8-3, so take that into consideration as well.?ÿ
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If you??re planning to run VRS through cell, get an ig8 or x91+ from igage. Dress it out with a Carlson mini 2 or surveyor 2 and fully enabled survce ?ÿ(gps, TS and robotic).?ÿ
Then take the change you??ve got left over from that Trimble price tag and buy yourself a new ?ÿgeomax zoom 90 (fully robotic).?ÿ
If it sounds to good to be true, just give them a call. You??ll have to find the geomax dealer because Igage doesn??t carry them. ?ÿ
Does Geomax Zoom 90 work well with Carlson SurvCE? If so it's a bonus.
Another option SOKKIA SX(younger) or SRX(10 year old) works well with SurvCE without any extra expenses for Options Unlocking. Currently I'm running a SRX with SurveCE. Used SOKKIA SRX is pretty affordable now a days.?ÿAs "back-chain" said I'm also thinking about iG8.?ÿ
Does Geomax Zoom 90 work well with Carlson SurvCE? If so it's a bonus.
Another option SOKKIA SX(younger) or SRX(10 year old) works well with SurvCE without any extra expenses for Options Unlocking. Currently I'm running a SRX with SurveCE. Used SOKKIA SRX is pretty affordable now a days.?ÿAs "back-chain" said I'm also thinking about iG8.?ÿ
You can actually get a Carlson CR2+ Robot from most Carlson dealers. They're Geomax Zoom robots except are carlson branded and have it onboard as well.
Trimble is ridiculously over priced. It's just an antenna.?ÿ The data collector software is the heart of the system.
Trimble is ridiculously over priced. It's just an antenna.?ÿ The data collector software is the heart of the system.
It's just an antenna. The data collector software is the heart of the system.
Anyone who's ever looked at the system boards inside one of those "antennas" knows that there's a lot more to it than the antenna element and the data collector.?ÿ The signal processing hardware and firmware are critical to good performance.
Trimble is ridiculously over priced. It's just an antenna.?ÿ The data collector software is the heart of the system.
It's not just an antenna.?ÿ
The major feature that makes it super pricey is the part I like the least, it allows to be not perfectly plumb, and can calculate that offset.?ÿ Its great to be productive with poorly trained field operations people with little training. Which is where the equipment manufacturers' and lawyers are pushing surveying.?ÿ I was in Kuwait with a fleet of these. And sadly, they were just doing planimetric work that really didn't benefit from the technology other than they had the newest latest and greatest.?ÿ You can find them used for 15k, and the big expense is getting the software and data controller in the TSC3. I've almost worked for Trimble twice, they pay very well, which is probably why they charge so much for their devices and software.?ÿ Get R8s, model 2 or newer.?ÿ Best investment for the production we do.?ÿ I'm a fan of the robot though, so GPS will always feel a bit less than real surveying to me.?ÿ?ÿ
Equipment from a company like Trimble costs what it does because they actually do the R&D. The R10 is the culmination of 40 years of receiver development.
When I worked for Leica they told us that they have to sell something like 10,000 receivers before they recoup the development cost.
Receivers like the X90 and X91 probably have either Trimble or Ashtech boards in them (or Novatel); their costs are pretty much buying the pieces and slapping them together.
I LOVE my R8-3 ??ÿ
Receivers like the X90 and X91 probably have either Trimble or Ashtech boards in them (or Novatel); their costs are pretty much buying the pieces and slapping them together.
Trimble doesn't just give those boards to CHC, they charge what the market will bear, including development costs to the extent that they can recoup them.?ÿ
Trimble is a high-markup company targeting large corporate and public agency customers that are focused more on brand reputation and solid performance rather than cost.?ÿ They'll gladly sell to the mom-and-pop operations, but they don't compete on price except on large contracts.?ÿ?ÿ
To paraphrase the old saw about IBM, "Nobody ever got fired for buying Trimble."
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