We had a Trimble S6 (S/N 93310310) stolen while working at the Pottstown Center shopping mall in Pottstown, PA this morning. Operator was about 300ft away from the robot, looked away for about 10 seconds and it was gone - as was the car that pulled up nearby that had just stopped and opened it's hood.
I wonder when it will be available at the pawn shop? I need a new one...radio just went out on mine and it will probably cost $$$ to fix it.
Just kidding, as I have said before the punishment for stealing a man's tools that he makes a living with should be severe, castration would be a start!
Sorry to hear that Alan, I know what it is like to lose a piece of equipment to theft, nothing worse than the feeling you get when you realize it is gone
Geez John, now you're making me wonder whether or not you & our crew chief had this planned all along.... LOL!
Yup, it sucks. It's the time consuming headaches that make it worse - waiting on police report, waiting on insurance to finalize their end, coordinating the replacement, etc.
I'm working on some Earth Screws. They are in a number of sizes. Some are for pavement, some are for hard soil, and others for rocky soil, some for sand. They screw in, and the tripod legs attach. You screw them in with a battery powered screw gun. Then, attach valuables. Would be thieves, then wind up fighting with things, instead of succeeding. If you would like, I can post pics later.
Nate The Surveyor, post: 385094, member: 291 wrote: You screw them in with a battery powered screw gun. Then, attach valuables.
Among the many hare-brained schemes that I've devised for theft protection is one that I actually produced but have never actually used. It consists of two steel bars, pointed on one end and with a hole in the other, that are driven into the ground at opposing angles such that the holes line up. A padlock through the holes serves to secure a cable or chain from the equipment to be protected, and also makes removing the bars difficult.
Here is an idea...I saw this in a catalog I get with aviation supplies and products
http://www.sportys.com/pilotshop/aircraft-supplies/tiedowns/portable-tie-down-anchor-kit.html
But, like I said in previous posts, the best solution to me would be if total stations and GNSS receivers had a cell modem built in (not easily accessible) and a movement sensor. Smart phones now usually have some type of movement detection, sort of like a mini-imu, so they must be very inexpensive.
Not sure if you are aware of this, but the newer series of Trimble gear offers Locate2Protect ( http://www.trimble.com/TrimbleProtected/L2P.aspx ), which is right along the lines of what you are talking about John. I think, but don't quote me on this, that our rep said it can also be retrofitted to the older gear too.
Damn...another idea they stole from me!
Seriously, I have been advocating this for many years. They do have a picture of it inside of an S6 (or maybe S7 or S9?). I wonder if they offer it on their GNSS receivers? I have also wanted a function in my R10 (that already has a SIM card and a tilt sensor) that would alert via cell if the tilt sensor goes past a certain tolerance. That would also help with blow-overs, etc.
John Hamilton, post: 385194, member: 640 wrote: Damn...another idea they stole from me!
Seriously, I have been advocating this for many years. They do have a picture of it inside of an S6 (or maybe S7 or S9?). I wonder if they offer it on their GNSS receivers? I have also wanted a function in my R10 (that already has a SIM card and a tilt sensor) that would alert via cell if the tilt sensor goes past a certain tolerance. That would also help with blow-overs, etc.
Hi John,
Topcon/Sokkia has had this feature for a few years now and it is a standard feature and free service in 90% of our instruments. [MEDIA=youtube]OD50uxxTnA0[/MEDIA]
Makes we wonder about Trimble...Unfortunately I have been using Trimble equipment since 1986, too old to change.
When I was a young lad in 1972 I saw some graffiti at a college campus where my father was a professor..."Why change dicks in the middle of a screw, Vote for Nixon in '72" (rhymes)
I think both the Trimble and Topcon trackers have problems. Certainly my experience with Locate2protect was bad. 1 instrument never tracked, the other stopped after a week or two,
I hope the tracking systems improve over time, but even if they become reliable, I'll remain an adherent of the "ounce of prevention" school.
Jim Frame, post: 385105, member: 10 wrote: Among the many hare-brained schemes that I've devised for theft protection is one that I actually produced but have never actually used. It consists of two steel bars, pointed on one end and with a hole in the other, that are driven into the ground at opposing angles such that the holes line up. A padlock through the holes serves to secure a cable or chain from the equipment to be protected, and also makes removing the bars difficult.
Jim, you have gone 3D ...
Norm Larson, post: 385237, member: 7899 wrote: Jim, you have gone 3D
I upgraded my BricsCAD license when I decided to 3D print some little gizmos for my GeoMax robot. The upgrade was only $179, so not a big deal. I was inspired by all of your impressive efforts!
