@lukenz?ÿ
Thanks for replying and that's interesting how well your TS16 bluetooth works.?ÿ Was the TS16 introduced with the MS60 and Captivate??ÿ If so maybe newer/better technology.?ÿ Other than that I can only wonder if it's a problem with my instrument or just the way it is with MS50.?ÿ When the instrument was purchased I was running it with CS15 on Viva and had bluetooth issues right from the start.?ÿ Do you have issues like I described with reconnecting forcing me to power off and back on?
@pls1988?ÿ
The ts16 uses the same RH17 or RH16 Bluetooth radio handle I was using on the 1203+ so it shouldn't affect range. Probably the cs20 just has better Bluetooth range.
Our 1203+ came with a cs15 and that didn't last long before something caused it to not go further than about 30 feet connected to the rh15 radio handle (non Bluetooth). I used paranis for a few months to use it with the Panasonic windows 10 tablet before the boss invested in an rh17 which was much better.?ÿ
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@pls1988?ÿ
Also use a CS15/TS15 combo which is also good out to ~300m line of sight.
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Don't have the disconnection issues you describe with either. That said I've never been far enough to get it to drop out (using RTK GNSS if over 300m) and only use that gear for rural work where little radio interference or buildings in the way nor in heavy bush.
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Only Leica robot Radio problems I've had were on an older 1205 with the external radio (not radio handle) which I suspect had some issue (whole kit was replaced due to age before got it fixed)
Are you sure you are connecting to the Bluetooth handle and not the internal Bluetooth? The handle's ID when you scan will start with 'ZRT82_xxxxxx'. I think the internal Bluetooth on a Z90 starts with 'Zoom_xxxxxx' <- Wrong.?ÿ
On the Zoom 90, I think the internal Bluetooth would turn off when you selected the handle. However, on the Zoom 95 they are both visible if you turn on the handle. However, if you connect to the internal Bluetooth with the handle selected, it won't work unless you select it in the toolbox.
You can also tell if the handle is in use because the LEDs will flash once you connect.?ÿ
Make sure the flip up antenna is pushed all the way on. It can pop off and then only be partially pushed on. It will look okay, but you can push it further and it will click.
How far are you getting the the wide open??ÿ
Can you exchange handles with someone else and see if the range improves? (If your gun is from us, let me know and I will loan you another handle.)
I only get 900 feet to an RT4 which I think has the same Bluetooth as a Mesa 3, but I get over 2,000 feet to my cell phone in the same area. And to get the 900 feet I have to have the screen between me and the gun, not on the other side of my body. It is kind of bad that a purpose built device is outgunned by a consumer cell phone.
The range you are seeing is what I would expect if I connected to the Zoom 95's internal Bluetooth instead of the handle.
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The last year has been tough for Bluetooth problems across all instruments.?ÿ
-----Begin Tin Foil Hat warning: I think it has something to do with cell phones promiscuously scanning for Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connections, then attempting to connect to everything to read the MAC. I read that the intent is to send the phone's GPS location with the Bluetooth MAC address to a master online database. Then when other devices with the GPS turned off get near, devices can send the available Bluetooth and WiFi MAC address to the overlord and infer a position.
Since the PIN codes for survey equipment by default are '1234', '123456', or '0000' the cell phones can connected and interrogate the devices by 'guessing' the codes.
My F250 pickup truck also attempts to connect to EVERYTHING it sees.
I think I have solved the problem with my equipment by changing the Blueototh PIN codes on my receivers to my home address. But I don't know how to change the PIN code on my Z95 robot's Long Range handle. I can change it on the internal Bluetooth (the default is 0000), but not the handle.
End Tin Foil Hat------
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Thank you for taking the time to help and explain, and this was not purchased from iGage.
As I mentioned earlier, we have gone through several different tablets. What I did not mention is that we also worked with several different zoom 95 instruments (loaners), and even different bluetooth handles. The outcome was the same with every combination.?ÿ I can't tell you how many hours we have lost dealing with this. We have spent several days with our rep duplicating the problem and even spent time on a phone conference with the Xpad program engineers showing them the problems.
I have discussed this issue with other individuals that use similar Carlson equipment (appears to be the same equipment, just different software). None of them have experienced these issues.?ÿ A rhetorical question, but is this a bluetooth issue that's across the board that we just have to learn to deal with from now on, or is this a program issue that shouldn't exist at this point in this time of technological advances?
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I am sure that you have already done this, but just to make sure:
?ÿ have you 'told' the tablet to NOT swap X-PAD out?
?ÿ see: https://iggps.com/out/X-PAD/FAQ/FAQ_XPAD_BackgroundOptimization_001.pdf
The exact procedure varies by manufacturer (Samsung vs. Google) but is close enough to muddle through.
This particular issue happens when the encrypted Bluetooth channel is put to sleep by the tablet to save power.
Thank you again for your suggestion.?ÿ That setting checked.
End Tin Foil Hat------
hardly....
that's the state of the world today, esp now goofacwhatsgramppleoid has been curtailed in public settings allegedly....
legit update on the Bluetooth is the second wave...no politics just facts here... ?????ÿ
Zoom 90, Long Range Handle, Carlson Surveyor 2?ÿ
About a week ago bluetooth was only working to 100 feet. I tried raising the antenna which I rarely do as it doesn't seem to make a difference - no help. I took the handle off the Zoom 90 to Reboot it??ÿ When putting it back on, I noticed it wasn't on properly, so I snapped it into place. It seems to be OK. Mark Silver, you're just ahead of me!
@larry-best I have had the antenna pop off and then only partially go back on myself. Same deal with crappy range. Initially I fixed it by replacing the entire handle and then noticed that the antennas were pushed in differently. The build mechanics are impressive if you pull it off and look at the 0-rings.
Because this thread is probably going to end up being the destination for all future Google Searches on 'Zoom 90/95 Bluetooth' issues, I took these pictures to show what we are talking about here:
This is what the antenna is supposed to look like:
This is what it looks like if it is not pushed in all the way:
This is what the connectors look like if you take it all the way off:
The difference between all the way in and not all the way in is subtle.
This talk of Bluetooth antenna fully seating reminded me: I have a happy Zoom 90 story from the end of last year to share. An insurance company called and asked me to do an insurance adjustment on a robot that was in a flood. Water pipe in ceiling broke and the robot was in the open case, SD Card slot side down, battery tray installed, filled with water, water dripping onto the battery side, for a couple of days. There was a foot of water on the ground too and the office was totaled (all new drywall, ceiling...)
The robot looked horrible, but they had wiped it down and cleaned it up. There was no water in the battery compartment, the SD card area had no water, the contacts for the Bluetooth handle were?ÿ clean and shinny. I pulled the antenna off and there was no water in the LR Bluetooth handle either.
Took it outside, set a prism 300 feet away, it power searched, I did a field calibration and it seems to be as good as new to me. The new 'calibration values' were all under 15", but we had a really short top calibration point (it was snowing like crazy) so probably even better.
HQ recommended that they send it in to check for hidden damage, I don't know how that is going.
So the take away might be to store guns with the battery tray inserted and closed, always keep the SD card cover closed and check the Bluetooth antenna to make sure it is pushed all the way in so it won't leak. Just in case a pipe breaks.
I have always told customers to leave the cases open at night so any residual moisture can evaporate. But, I am rethinking that. Perhaps just put a plastic tarp over the open case?
Anyway, it was an impressive visit. I have pictures, however I need to get permission to share them.
I do love a happy robot story.
I only had the radio handle pop out like that when I had my summer student set it up. Not sure how he did it.?ÿ
For storage I always leave it case open in case of moisture, like you mentioned. But I only leave it with the battery cover open etc if it got really wet working in rain or snow.?ÿ
Like this?:
The thing that worries me is: you pick the gun up and the handle falls off, gun drops to the ground. Plus, the Bluetooth won't work of course.
Most users probably never realize that you can remove the handle.
Sorry I meant the antenna on the handle, not the actual handle. I'd have a heart attack if that ever happened. I usually held that robot from the sides to try to be more gentle on the radio handle and then you don't have to worry about if the handle might pop off (even though it should never happen).?ÿ
Most users probably never realize that you can remove the handle.
Some users figure that too many people know how to remove the handle and don't want them doing that.
@jim-frame that's weird. What if you need to shoot something above? I liked the removable handle better than the awkward shaped handle on the Trimble s series.
