Carlson or MicroSurvey Point Cloud CAD Software

I have used both , started with Microsurvey and then switched to Carlson . Carlson for me is very simple and does everything . Microsurvey is ok but not as powerful as Carlson and is lacking in some areas . Stay away from intellicad it is problematic .

Is your expereince with the point cloud versions or just the software in general?

SHG

Just survey side .

I did read your question correctly but I do want to add since I know you are a Leica guy. Even though I don't know about the point cloud. You will love the data collection of microsurvey over carlson. Their autolinework is awesome. No codes. Plays very well with Leica. Which may sway your decision for point cloud software. Spoken from a 15 year user of TDS and a few years of carlson. Field genius rocks! As for their cad software. I will take it over carlson anyday. Carlson is what lacks. Too many bugs. Full flavor or intelicad.

> Their autolinework is awesome. No codes.

What method does it use to identify different types of shots?

Philip, thanks for your comments, and from what I know, the Microsurvey Field Genius is very good. Of course, with the Leica parent Hexagon also now owning Microsurvey, I expect the products to play together very well in the future. I do know that the Microsurvey point cloud offerings already use the Leica point cloud engine from Cyclone so there were already Leica influences at work even before Hexagon bought Microsurvey.

SHG

> What method does it use to identify different types of shots?

I don't understand your question Jim. I'm guessing with this reply and I think you are asking how it does the linework. If you go to their website and view a training video it can describe better than me on how it works. But here is how I do a line. I click the "line" button to toggle line on. Then I shoot the point, add description and go to the next "station" on that line and shoot. Enter Enter and repeat. When I come to a curve I shoot the end radius then I go to the midpoint and click on the "curve" button to toggle curve on. Then I shoot the point and repeat description. Go to the end radius and so on. NO CODES! Very awesome. I am setting up my automap library so water meters, power poles, trees, mailboxes, etc automatically appear in my collector and in embeddedcad. I am absolutely done with TDS/Carlson. And I think it is funny when everyone says carlson is the best. To me it's just an improved TDS like software. With mirosurvey I am probably spending about the same time in the field maybe a few minutes more. But I have reduced my office time by 50+%. I couldn't stand TDS and Civil3D codes. Always a little problem with each vendor. Only one I liked before field genius was Eaglepoint. That was still coding but was the best. Carlson picked up on this with theirs. Which I think now they all are doing a customizable coding features. Field genius is just simple and quick and no more trying to remember what code to put in the description. And if you mess up you see it instantly on the map. I picked it up in about 1 day of use.

Can you draw more than one line at a time?

Let's say you have a curb, gutter and sidewalk line end(or begin) at the corner of a building; can end(or start) with one shot?

Not trying to be argumentative, just curious as to how other softwares handle these every day situations.

> Let's say you have a curb, gutter and sidewalk line end(or begin) at the corner of a building; can end(or start) with one shot?

I don't know that question because I'm a new user to the software but if I had to guess I would say no. It is setup to do multiple lines using the cross section method. Each line will act as a breakline obviously because of slight differences in elevations. I know what you are talking about and I don't see where I can input the parameters for such lines. That is where I would shoot the ends and offset in cad or data collector. I would take it that your lines are the same elevations as the first shot line. For me, I have to shoot everything so when I get back to the office my peanut is satisfied with the visual results.

Sorry Shelby. I think I hijacked your thread.

Phillip, No problem, it is all good and related, appreciate the input.

SHG

Just read a "fluff' piece in the June POB, while basically an ad disguised as an article, it might give some insight into how the data collection software works.

SHG

So, look at the responses that you got. Everyone has their favorite software, "It's simply the BEST!!". None other compares. Incidently, I have compared both products and see Carlson VASTLY superior in ALL aspects for my work. That's my opinion. What's it worth? Same as all the above..........absolutely nothing.
This is a decision that you will need to make for yourself based on more factual data. These products offer a 30 day trial version. Get copies and see which one works the best for you. Which program "thinks" like you do? They are totally different in how the approach data and how they utilise that data. One will fit you like a glove, the other will be like a pair of underware over your head. Pick the one that suits your needs.
Also consider what kind of support you can get LOCALLY for the software you use. The day of buying new software , pulling out "The Book" and teaching yourself are LONG gone. You need a local Q&A guy to turn to. If your VAR knows as little about the software as you do, you are in a bind.
You could also just flip a coin and make as good of a decision as you would by just listening to other's input. Ten thousand monleys cannot be wrong, but it all depends on what monkey you choose to heed. Us Cad Monkeys are not always correct.