I have heard many good things about Carlson software.
My fear is if i buy a carlson d.c. with carlson software, how long will it be before Topcon and Trimble say thhpppppppbbbbbt to Carlson (like Topcon is doing to TDS)? How long will Topcon, Trimble, et al play nice with Carlson?
Doesn't it make more sense to buy a Topcon controller to run Topcon equipement?
Just askin'
Probably OK as long as Carlson stays out of the instrument business.
What type of Topcon equipment are you connecting to?
The more data collectors that can hook to their units will increase the total number of units sold. They are not crazy enough to kill off that compatability. The second they do and their dc's do not measure up, they will soon be out of business.
Follow the example of AutoDesk. They either absorb or cut off third party vendors. That reduces the number of seats sold eventually. Then when you come up with such a complex package as C3D, many former users turn to other packages that perform better for their needs and cost less.
It's all abolut which package gives you all of the tools that you want and need. I have yet to see a Trimble package or TDS , or whatever, that out performs Carlson.
I'd look at the Carlson for smoother F2F applications and being able to see your Carlson work on the DC with less hassle (if you use Carlson Sruvey in the office). The Topcon DC will of course have the best support for Topcon's newest stuff but Carlson won't be far behind. I'm shopping myself right now and it's tough between the two.
I'm steering clear of Trimble b/c they've been a little slow to support the newest Topcon tech and have not put a lot of effort into making it as integrated as their own stuff. If Carlson can do it, Trimble can. They just don't want to IMO and it's probably a smart business decision for them not to. Carlson isn't in that boat. No sense in buying a brand new QS robot and not being able to Q-lok from the DC to the RC-4, which is the case in Survey Pro.
Topcon started making their own data collector when Trimble bought out TDS. It is the same way that Topcon started making their own radios when Trimble bought out PacCrest radios. They figured why support their competition.
Sir V is exactly right.
It's all about "captive" software operations and who they serve.
Looking at a new QS Robot. Already have Hiper Pros (RTK now - maybe someday mmGPS).
Does the Carlson DC fully support these?
What about putting Carlson software on the FC-2500 (which looks like a nice DC, but have never touched one)
If you run GPS systems, you are better off using proprietary software.
TS technology is more agreeable to third party manufacturers.
:beer:
> If you run GPS systems, you are better off using proprietary software.
>
> TS technology is more agreeable to third party manufacturers.
>
> :beer:
Doesn't have to be that way, no reason the GPS unit can't do the calcs and output a point solution with some metadata. A TS does the edm calcs and outputs a distance. If the gps manufacturer feels he needs a propietary output to help his sales then just don't buy it i.e. jusy say no.
If you introduce robotics into the equation you run into issues also. I would recommend that you go with the software that you like and as you upgrade then upgrade with that manufacturer. These days you are going to eventually have to choose a path. Good think about TDS is that you have more options than TopSURV or Carlson. TDS will still run most total stations and most GPS receivers. If you go the robotic direction then you can choose between several options. I still think that Survey Pro provides the most flexibility.