Geomax Android Data collection?

Hallo Stijn,

Welkom op dit forum, goed om hier nog eens een Belgische collega te horen.

I don't know the GeoMax, but had a look at the Stonex Line recently, that's also Leica look alike.
Stonex
The software that comes with Stonex is from Carlson and that will let you do all you want (and even more). There are a lot of Carlson users here.

I have not seen yet an android device wiht a keyboard for input. Depending of the type of work you do you will need one, keying in feature codes for a 1000 points a day won't work very well on a smartphone or tablet, at least not for me.
We have the Trimble TSC2 with full keyboard and this works very well, even during the cold winter days when wearing gloves.

Hope you have a great demo today,
let us now what you think about the Geomax Xpad.

Christof.

Good to see another Belgian here! Looks like we're close to eachother, I see you are located in Ghent?

Anyhow, I had two demo's today, 1 from Leica, showing me the TS15P and TS15I and one from GeoMax.

Basically what I can say is that the Leica demo was way better in terms of explaining etc. Also after seeing the GeoMax Zoom 80, I don't doubt about the quality of the machine, what I do doubt is the Android software and indeed as you mentioned before the tablet. Basically the software is still in development, yet they already sell it. The sales guy/technician didn't find his way through the controls now and then, which is not very convincing to buy a set from them since they also offer all the service etc.

While it's being sold at a very attractive price point I don't feel the basis is very solid. Maybe with 3rd party software it would work better, for example Carlson.

Since you mention Stonex, I've been in touch with them as well. They also have a Leica 1200 series robotic total station but it has been taken off the market and it's not available anymore from Stonex. I noticed that some F buttons were missing on the stonex, the ones on the right side of the screen. The importer of Stonex offered me a solution to buy a Topcon total station combined with the Stonex S9 GPS.

I prefer to get a set from the same manufacturer.

Probably my choice will be Leica. It's more expensive but their after sales and support service is top notch.

Hard choice since it's quite an investment at a young age! 🙂

Stijn

Get the Leica, it lasts forever.

'I prefer to get a set from the same manufacturer.'

That's a good decision to start with.
Make sure it works well together with your survey/CAD software.
We switched from Leica to Trimble some 10 years ago.
Leica support was going downhill that time here in Belgium and they had no decent alternative for the Trimble full keyboard data collector at that time.

Regards,

Christof.

You should find that the Leica support will be much better than that of Geomax regardless of your location. That includes service and repair. Geomax sells through anyone whom wants it regardless of how experienced the dealer is; if,not directly then through a distributor that will do the same. Same or similar technology at a cheaper price is not a substitute for a quality brand through a reputable dealer.

I would definitely not mix gear if I was in your position.
One of the biggest issues faced here in Australia and I doubt it's different elsewhere is if you have a problem with one piece of gear then it "Cant be 'our' device', it's definitely the other device, and to contact their representative"
And the merry go round begins.
You just can't afford that in business and least when you are under the pump, and need a quick fix.
Here I can only speak well of Leica, not from owning, but from hiring. Their expertise was second to none and in my early hiring days made calls from way outside human habitation and they had me up and running in no time.
Another time the data recorder on GPS spat the dummy and all my data appeared lost, but they somehow extracted data and I was able to save a very long days GPS detail survey.
Its the unexpected things when you need help when good service shines through.

I don't like the sound of your experience with the Geomax.
Based on that experience I wouldn't touch it with a barge pole if it was me.
Maybe being a bit harsh but some first experiences are a good indicator of what is to come.

Something I have discovered in life is a seemingly expensive investment at the time is soon forgotten in a few years when looking back you realise the pleasure had from that investment and are still enjoying.

All the best with our choice.

2nd hand Leica equipment isn't too bad pricewise.
Maybe 12,500 euros for a full robotic setup.
The 1200 "+" can also connect with CS15 and run Viva, so is a cheaper alternative to a TS15.

Also - don't Geomax offer the conventional logger any more? PS336?

The 1200 without the + also runs with Viva

Geomax could be a good choice in a situation of a specific one year large project in which you can charge all costs to the project and trade at the end. You work with brand new gear with full warranty.

I have a trail version of the x-pad system on a phone and tablet. I am impressed with the demo mode. The software cost is reasonable, and is updated free of charge. I run it on a cheap ruggedised android device and ram mount. And transfer to licence to another device if it breaks, with dealer assistance.

Does anyone use it and recommend it? I am interested in how the data comes into cad, layers, linework and breaklines.
I note that there is a free basic X-pad office software, anyone use it?