Star*NET vs Carlson SurvNET

I have used both.

Star*Net is more friendly with various brands of conventional data. There is not Star*Net brand data collector therefore it has to be easier to enter the data. The Star*Net DAT format is very simple to use. Star*Net in certain circumstances is a little more difficult because sometimes it need provisional coordinates or bearings to get a start when combining conventional and GPS data.

SurvNet uses the RAW file right out of the DC which is handy if you have Carlson SurvCE or CG data collection. It can be painful if you have some other brand of DC.

SurvNet does a really good job of combining conventional and GPS data with no provisional coordinates or bearings. It's better than Star*Net that way.

They both use the same GPS vector data file format.

Thanks Dave.

-Steve

i HAVE MORE THAN ONE TYPE OF SCREWDRIVER IN MY TOOLBOX

There is nothing wrong with having more than one type of screwdriver in your tool box. Yes they are both least squares adjustment,but that is about it. They have almost totally different functionally.

I think it is GREAT that Carlson includes this feature with their software. It is vastly superior to the least squares feature that is part of the LDD package. I have no knowledge of C3D.

I use notepad all the time eveen though my OS also has MSword.

i HAVE MORE THAN ONE TYPE OF SCREWDRIVER IN MY TOOLBOX

I own a copy of SurvNet because it came with Carlson Survey 2008 when I upgraded from 2006.

It works fine for me.

I think Star*Net is a little more friendly to use on an operational level but in some circumstances it needs a provisional coordinate or bearing to get going. That usually isn't a big deal because I often take a compass bearing on the backsight and foresight with my Silva Ranger. That might be 5° off but is close enough for Star*Net to figure it out.

An example is I set the instrument on the monument and sighted two GPS control points (located by static means). I give it a bearing from my compass set to be free (* in the DAT file). That is enough for Star*Net to process the data. SurvNet does not require that at all.

A cool part is it gives you an idea of how good your handheld compass work is. Star*Net will tell you the residual on your compass bearing. Since the compass bearing is free it doesn't influence the adjustment at all. Sometimes it is pretty much right on especially if I try harder to line the compass up and take some time.

If the company is 100% Carlson for all data collectors, it is probably a no brainer choice.

If not the cost is much more than the difference between StarNET and SurvNET, since there is data collector hardware to consider. Certain GPS and total station manufacturers are moving toward locking out third party data collection.

Sit down with the bosses and do a complete analysis, including looking forward 3 to 5 years on equipment purchases.

Paul in PA

> Would a former Star*Net user be very unhappy using Carlson, or does Carlson do a servicable job in comparison.

After years of using StarNet I have recently run a couple of adjustments with SurvNet. Generally I think I could learn to like SurvNet just fine.

It does seem to take a few seconds thinking about a relatively small number of points, which make me wonder how it would work with an adjustment of a larger number of points and observations.