You can also connect the device to your PC using ActiveSync and/or Windows Mobile Device Center via Bluetooth.
I wasn't disagreeing with your post, I actually started typing my response before yours was posted.
> I've watched you suffer long enough ha! ha! 😛
> Time for me to chime in here.
Thanks very much for chiming:-)
>
> WinCE devices do NOT unzip or install directly from the EXE files. You need to unzip the files on your PC, then execute the *.exe for your device on your PC, ActiveSync or Windows Mobile Device Center will copy the CAB file to your device. Then it will launch the install of the CAB file. You will get a prompt for the PC to connect to your device. Let it try, then continue with the install, you may need to hit cancel. The setup may seem incomplete. But it does do enough of what we need. It will create a folder on your pc with CAB file. This is the install for your WinCE device.
>
Small glitch:
I successfully unzip the file...Say it's "TopSURVv752_WinMobile.zip".
It unpacks a single file by the same name that is NOT a CAB file, but an Install Shield file of the identical name.
If I execute that, it simply tries to install the program, gets to the part where it is trying to connect to the CE unit (with ActiveSync...This is an XP box), and of course, can not. Only option is to quit. I'm still not sure from your process whether an Active Sync connection is needed or not. I don't think I have one yet.
So I think your solution will work, if I can find a version of Topsurv on The Topcon Support Site that has been posted in Microsoft's own zipped, CAB file format, rather than Install Shield. BTW, I tried just moving the Install Shield installer file to the CE unit via the CF card and run it, but it wont. It's "not a valid Windows CE executable".
EDIT: FWIW, I tried unpacking the InstallShield file with a universal extractor and have a directory on my PC filled with the files, including three CAB files (CAB1, CAB2 etc., as well as a "setup.exe" file. I'm going to try copying all these to the CF card, and see if that file will run on the CE Box....
EDIT #2: No dice. Ran the setup.exe on the CE box. "This is not a valid CE executable". Argh. I'm convinced some version of what you're suggesting will work, and I'm not giving up yet, but think I MUST get the serial connection working one way or another.
As much as I'd prefer doing some resection trig manually, thanks to you, I think I'm getting close to making this work.:-)
I just now downloaded the TopSurv file from Topconpositioning.com
It has all versions in a single zip.
If you can't find the FC2200/ FC2500 version, email me.
Well, this might be a factor...
I just read that WinCE 4.2 is NOT supported by ActiveSync 4.5!
I found Chris De Herrera's Windows CE Website to learn that. I may continue to go down the path of finding an even more ancient version of ActiveSync that will work with the ancient CE I'm using, but am far more optimistic with Lee's "CF Card Install" approach.
Well, this might be a factor...
RFC,
Are you doing this only for a resection??? Resections are not best for tie-ins with points of unverified dimensions. Best to just setup your TS with assumed coordinates, and bearings. Then locate these points to best of the "surveyor's" ability. Inverse between them, compare record vs measured to verify the dimensions. Then when or if one is comfortable with the geometry based on the licensed land surveyors professional opinion, then a translate and rotate is performed. Some resections apply a translation, rotation and scale factors. Suggest you avoid the scale factor.
I realise you eager to learn, but we are reluctant to advise the general public in these procedures. We often see gross errors by the novice, that muddy the waters and make our job more difficult.
Anyway if you wish to continue with install. This install should work if it your device truly mimics the FC2200/FC2500. Just go to Topcon website and download TopSURV_v8_2_3.zip
Unzip this file, and you will see an *.exe for each platform. Choose the FC220_FC2500 version. 
As I said it will prompt you for the device, just ignore, and continue. This exe will extract the CAB file to your pc. Search for it. Or I can email it to if you still have trouble.
Lee Green
Thanks for asking!
> Are you doing this only for a resection??? Resections are not best for tie-ins with points of unverified dimensions. Best to just setup your TS with assumed coordinates, and bearings. Then locate these points to best of the "surveyor's" ability. Inverse between them, compare record vs measured to verify the dimensions. Then when or if one is comfortable with the geometry based on the licensed land surveyors professional opinion, then a translate and rotate is performed. Some resections apply a translation, rotation and scale factors. Suggest you avoid the scale factor.
>
Hi Lee:
No! The reference I made above to spending time doing resection trig manually was a joke...I was attempting to say that I'd rather spend my time learning surveying than mucking with software...ancient software at that. I spend a good part of my day job solving software problems; it's a necessary, but not my favorite part of my job. That said, I've read enough about software problems surveyors deal with, and am beginning to think it's just part of the deal. I commiserate with them though.
As for where I'm at with regard to my educational status: I'd put it at "Advanced Grasshopper":-)
I spent a good deal of time initially learning traditional measurement practices...taping, leveling, angle measurements...first with an auto level, then an optical theodolite, then a total station. I focused on learning the limits of the equipment; where errors come from, and, most important (thanks to Kent), quantifying errors, residuals, and the tools required to analyze them (Primarily Star*net).
Then I moved to Traversing, including computations of balancing angles, departures and Latitudes etc. I spent some time studying SPC coordinate systems, devised some NGS point to point traverses (that I've yet to do), as a way to learn more about scale factors, and what it means to survey in the context of a larger network...I've pretty much put that aside for now though...it can be pretty dense stuff. I spent time (and will continue), just determining Azimuth, primarily with Polaris shots. Jerry Wahl, who lives up the road here in Vermont has been very kind to help with that. (I enjoy astronomical observations)
Instead, I continued on with some more specific computations that might typically be run across by a surveyor: Coordinate geometry calcs, Point to Line, Intersection of two lines, and (as joked about above)...three-point resection. I'm thinking about a plan for when it gets warmer out (not really ready to pound Mag Nails in the frozen dirt, as you've been doing!)...to set up on a point I've already set, and starnet-ed to death, and then pretend I don't know where it is, and work the resection problem and compare the results...but I haven't quite finished the lesson plan yet, lol.
And, finally, as my wife is planning on building a small carriage house sometime in the future, I've taken a dog leg into construction surveying and layout, particularly focusing on topo, as the site is on a hill, and drainage, septic lines etc. will be a factor. I'm fascinated by some of the problems some of the construction surveyors here face, and how different they are from those found in boundary work.
I'm using (in addition to all the experience revealed on this site), Ghitani and Wolf, but admit I love reading Davis, Foote and Kelley as much, if not more. Too much to learn, too little time. But I'll keep nibbling away at it. There's no knowledge as good as what you get actually doing something, as those here (yourself included), will certainly attest.
I feel blessed in some ways that I don't do this for a living, and never will although (if I ever could afford to quit my day job), I'd consider signing on with a party as a Rod Man some summer. I think I'd be pretty good. Too bad (I'm learning) they're a dying breed. I've yet to learn the first thing (other than what I read here), about GPS, so I'd probably be pretty useless in today's market lol. But that's OK. I'm doing this for myself; no one else.
Thanks again, for your continued help.
Thanks for asking!
RFC,
You are correct.
These vendors certainly have their share "software problems".
It is difficult to decide if one wants to stay on the bleeding edge of technology, which means we are a beta tester. Or just deal with the problems.
A few months ago I posted problems I had to Magnet on this board.
It really lit a fire under their A$$, and even prompted a call from the president and CEO of Topcon. I don't regret any of what I said on here.
The effect will be better software, for us all. I'm met with them, and told they have addressed most issues in next release Magnet 3.0
I have often beta tested software for vendors.
"Pounding nai's in frozen ground." That reminds me. I have to head outside in a few hours, :excruciating:
Lee Green
Success!
Well, after an enormous amount of messing with settings, I finally contacted tech support at Jett...and got great response by the way. Mark Driver also pitched in big time.
Apparently there was an issue with these devices (that existed with some of the Carlson Surveyors too) that had to do with the com ports.
Long story short...I'm now connected!
I tried installing Topsurv; it took forever but finally installed. But wont run...Getting a "Cannot find Topsurv or one of it's components"...I'll start another thread for that matter if I need to, but I'm a happy camper so far, just being able to connect the stupid thing to a PC. Long Live 10 year software!!:-D