I've always been a full Trimble user and I like the way both GPS and total station can be used with the field software, Trimble Access or Survey Controller. I set points with GPS, then set up on them with total station. No transferring coordinates from one app, or device, to another. One software runs all my hardware and shares coordinates between them. At the end of the day TBC processes my GPS data and lets met edit total station setups in the same application.
I would like to start looking at non-trimble solutions though as this trimble habit seems to be getting more and more expensive (and proprietary). Can anyone recommend a field software that can run JAVAD receivers and a manual total station, looking ideally at a Topcon instrument. I want to be able to start a GPS base, run a GPS rover (RTK or static), and operate a total station in one field software package. Does this exist?
I'd also like recommendations on post-processing software. At the end of the day bringing in static data files, processing them, doing network adjustment. Editing total station setups, creating final coordinates and perhaps even drafting inside the program.
I guess my question is, how do non-trimble shops do all of this smoothly? Solutions focused on price would be greatly considered, options like IntelliCAD would make it much easier on my wallet.
Thanks for your time!
I'm sure you'll receive valuable input from other users, but Carlson has everything you're looking for: SurvCE for the field and Survey (running on IntelliCAD) for the office. For post-processing you can either go with Carlson or choose another that will communicate with Carlson, such as Star*net.
We've never had the opportunity to run a Javad but from what we know Carlson SurvCE will run their receivers with no problems, although others can chime in to provide better insight. In our experience Carlson is dedicated to ensuring compatibility and an open platform regardless of brand. In other words, if Carlson doesn't "support" a specific instrument, it's probably because of that proprietary thing you mentioned.
All-in-all, with the equipment you're interested in, it sounds like you should be able to get yourself a Carlson data collector running SurvCE and be off to the races. Our customers LOVE their Surveyor2s and we don't have anything but praise for the manufacturer's service and support.
FWIW, Geomax does make a pretty nifty manual total station in the Zipp20. Comparable to Topcon and at a good price too. Might be worth your time to research.
You may want what I am running: SurvCE on a Carlson Surveyor 2 DC, with Javad Triumph 1-M GPS heads. <> Flawlessly operates in RTK, and communicates with all of our topcon guns, including a QS robot, 3003w bluetooth TS, and a 2003 TS (cable). I frequently flop back and fourth in the field between GPS and TS. That is why I opted for the Javad T-1M Vs the LS which has their on-board DC.
I don't run Carlson for static processing... yet. If I have to upgrade topcon tools, I will look at going Carlson route.
Here is a photo collecting RTK on a 1930s monument
Gopro above is right. Carlson data collectors will connect to a Javad T1, and run well.
Many happy folks have done this.
If I were running construction, I'd look long and hard at that solution.
I'm running the Javad LS. It won't connect, like the T1 will.
N
geopro_consultants, post: 373732, member: 9959 wrote: I've always been a full Trimble user and I like the way both GPS and total station can be used with the field software, Trimble Access or Survey Controller. I set points with GPS, then set up on them with total station. No transferring coordinates from one app, or device, to another. One software runs all my hardware and shares coordinates between them. At the end of the day TBC processes my GPS data and lets met edit total station setups in the same application.
I would like to start looking at non-trimble solutions though as this trimble habit seems to be getting more and more expensive (and proprietary). Can anyone recommend a field software that can run JAVAD receivers and a manual total station, looking ideally at a Topcon instrument. I want to be able to start a GPS base, run a GPS rover (RTK or static), and operate a total station in one field software package. Does this exist?
I'd also like recommendations on post-processing software. At the end of the day bringing in static data files, processing them, doing network adjustment. Editing total station setups, creating final coordinates and perhaps even drafting inside the program.
I guess my question is, how do non-trimble shops do all of this smoothly? Solutions focused on price would be greatly considered, options like IntelliCAD would make it much easier on my wallet.
Thanks for your time!
I am a little biased since I work for Topcon - but you can do everything you speak of in your wish list with any Topcon robotic and GNSS product. Sometimes you can even run the robotic and RTK on the same pole simultaneously with Magnet Field- even back up and transfer files through Magnet Enterprise (cloud based application). Magnet Office Tools with PP and Topo will handle just about anything you need in the office. It's all a la carte.
If you intend to process anything stay away from Topcon office anything. Horrific software and tech support.
geopro_consultants, post: 373732, member: 9959 wrote: I've always been a full Trimble user and I like the way both GPS and total station can be used with the field software, Trimble Access or Survey Controller. I set points with GPS, then set up on them with total station. No transferring coordinates from one app, or device, to another. One software runs all my hardware and shares coordinates between them. At the end of the day TBC processes my GPS data and lets met edit total station setups in the same application.
I would like to start looking at non-trimble solutions though as this trimble habit seems to be getting more and more expensive (and proprietary). Can anyone recommend a field software that can run JAVAD receivers and a manual total station, looking ideally at a Topcon instrument. I want to be able to start a GPS base, run a GPS rover (RTK or static), and operate a total station in one field software package. Does this exist?
I'd also like recommendations on post-processing software. At the end of the day bringing in static data files, processing them, doing network adjustment. Editing total station setups, creating final coordinates and perhaps even drafting inside the program.
I guess my question is, how do non-trimble shops do all of this smoothly? Solutions focused on price would be greatly considered, options like IntelliCAD would make it much easier on my wallet.
Thanks for your time!
We do this routine every subscription renewal. In the end and IMHO, SMOOTHLY=$$$. Pay now or pay later.
Nate The Surveyor, post: 373767, member: 291 wrote:
I'm running the Javad LS. It won't connect, like the T1 will.
N
Any idea about the triumph-2? That seems like such an affordable reciever, is there a downside I'm missing?
There are several direct answers to your questions.
The T-2 is VERY small, Lightweight, and handy.
It will Track USA and Russian Sats.
It will work as a base, for the LS. (This is what I'm doing)
It does not use wires, Bluetooth to external radio.
It apparently can be used as a rover, an android device, for POST PROCESSING. (I think this could be a very handy budget method, of surveying, with a little adapter on top of a total station!) Buy a cluster of 3, set one as base, and you'd have a good POST PROCESSED solution.
The downside, is that they cannot use the other Satellite constellations. Such as Galileo, and BeiDou.
However, According to my sources, these won't contribute much, or anything to the final solution, AT THIS TIME. However, I'm having trouble figuring out IF they only contributed a LITTLE, how much is a little? and, WHEN will they be important?
Using GPS as I do, (Pushing the limits), A little can mean alot. So, I'm not yet sure I'm giving you straight info at this time.
Also, I know that the T-2 units were designed as base and rover units. So, there is a way to use the T2 as a rover. I just don't know what controller would work with it.
So, I confess, I don't know the whole pile of info, you need to decide.
N
T-2 needs some sort of radio or internet connection for RTK.
For static, I have never seen anything better in a small package - basically a bit bigger then 2 decks of cards. I wish they would have added just a little size to the T-@ and LS and put 5/8" threads on them through.
Don't be afraid to call or e-mail Javad and ask questions, Mike is very knowledgeable.
I'm am pretty sure they still offer 30 day money back-no questions asked to give anything a try.
geopro_consultants, post: 373834, member: 9959 wrote: Any idea about the triumph-2? That seems like such an affordable reciever, is there a downside I'm missing?
The Triumph-2 is listed as a receiver option in SurvCE v5, although as stated earlier we have no experience testing them together. SurvCE probably runs the T2 just fine.
toivo1037, post: 373843, member: 973 wrote: T-2 needs some sort of radio or internet connection for RTK.
For static, I have never seen anything better in a small package - basically a bit bigger then 2 decks of cards. I wish they would have added just a little size to the T-@ and LS and put 5/8" threads on them through.
Don't be afraid to call or e-mail Javad and ask questions, Mike is very knowledgeable.
I'm am pretty sure they still offer 30 day money back-no questions asked to give anything a try.
The Surveyor2 from Carlson (and many other data collectors, for that matter) has the option of an internal cell modem, so you might be able to achieve network corrections that way.
Basic answer is to run products in the field created my the manufacturer of your office set up. Something is always lost in any translation. I know the sales people will swear that their product will play nice with your other software, but in 44 years I have seldom seen this happen. Then, 90% of the time your only support is the sales guy and we all know how that generally works out. You need a top notch support staff. Like one that can tell you what to do when the Russians turn off satellite access. Many factors to consider.
thebionicman, post: 373793, member: 8136 wrote: If you intend to process anything stay away from Topcon office anything. Horrific software and tech support.
[USER=8136]@thebionicman[/USER] : can you explain a bit more please?
I attempted to use Topcon Tools in the office for a few years. It almost bankrupted us.
The software would occasionally change the 1/CAF associated with a project, moving coordinates as much as hundreds of feet. When it randomly assigned something bizarre (ie 0.963222) it was easy to spot. The smaller 'moves' bit us hard.
Every export had to be checked and rechecked to ensure the correct projection and adjustments were applied. Even after verifying the settings it would output incorrectly projected data. Of course if you didn't like the project settings just save, close and reopen. The settings would be different most of the time.
At first we got responses that indicated Topcon support was trying. They revealed a grotesque lack of knowledge but some effort. After a while we would submit a support request and get no response for weeks. Then an email would come saying they considered the issue resolved.
When we dumped their junk software they called and asked if I wanted to be a beta tester. I told them I had been for two years and couldn't afford it any longer.
Never again...
cptdent, post: 374376, member: 527 wrote: Basic answer is to run products in the field created my the manufacturer of your office set up. Something is always lost in any translation. I know the sales people will swear that their product will play nice with your other software, but in 44 years I have seldom seen this happen. Then, 90% of the time your only support is the sales guy and we all know how that generally works out. You need a top notch support staff. Like one that can tell you what to do when the Russians turn off satellite access. Many factors to consider.
Surely though Carlson office software is able to handle raw data files from most instruments, provide adjustments and export to x,y,z co-ordinates? Surely there are many here not using the same manufacturer for office and field with success.
thebionicman, post: 384404, member: 8136 wrote: I attempted to use Topcon Tools in the office for a few years. It almost bankrupted us.
The software would occasionally change the 1/CAF associated with a project, moving coordinates as much as hundreds of feet. When it randomly assigned something bizarre (ie 0.963222) it was easy to spot. The smaller 'moves' bit us hard.
Every export had to be checked and rechecked to ensure the correct projection and adjustments were applied. Even after verifying the settings it would output incorrectly projected data. Of course if you didn't like the project settings just save, close and reopen. The settings would be different most of the time.
At first we got responses that indicated Topcon support was trying. They revealed a grotesque lack of knowledge but some effort. After a while we would submit a support request and get no response for weeks. Then an email would come saying they considered the issue resolved.
When we dumped their junk software they called and asked if I wanted to be a beta tester. I told them I had been for two years and couldn't afford it any longer.
Never again...
That's not good. Anybody else have similar experiences with Topcon Tools or Magnet?
I have found Topsurv to have some pretty frustrating bugs in it.
