Looking into the Magnet software for data collection and maybe at some point utilizing the magnet enterprise. Anyone have experience with either?
As many here will likely chime in, having good local support for your equipment is huge. After considering that, arrange for an extended demo of the equipment (two weeks or more) even if you have to pay rental rates. Bugs, clunky routines, etc don't show up in a one hour demo in the dealers parking lot. They show up when you're out doing real world work, putting the equipment in to situations and environments that just can't be simulated.
I personally didn't have a good experience with TopSurv (Magnet's predecessor). I then switched to SurvCE from Carlson and loved the software but had communication issues with my Topcon robot. Ultimately I switched to a Trimble S6 with Access on a Trimble Yuma2 tablet. That decision was based on available local support and service. I made a deal with the salesman for an extended demo of an S6 & Tablet from their rental fleet. If I decided to purchase, the demo would be free otherwise I would pay a reduced rental rate for the demo period. I kept the demo equipment for 2-3 weeks putting it through every situation and taking it to every location where my previous equipment had struggled before deciding to make the purchase. Is it perfect? No, but I've spent a lot less time struggling and trying to beat the equipment into submission over the past year since I made the switch.
Ditto about the support. Lee Green is a good one. I learned a lot from him and Stephen when we were running Topcon and TopSurv. Unfortunately my dealer was not.
Stephen Ward, post: 378761, member: 1206 wrote: Ultimately I switched to a Trimble S6 with Access on a Trimble Yuma2 tablet.
Stephen - How do you like using the Tablet with the robot? I really like the Tablet, but it seems like it would be heavy and awkward on a robotic pole. I use one with the V10 for several reasons; but by the time you factor in the V10 and its two batteries, the R10 and its battery, the Tablet, and the bipod, carrying that pole around for a couple of hours gives you a pretty good workout. Obviously the robotic pole doesn't have all of that.
The rumor on the street is that Trimble will be releasing a next generation data collector at Intergeo in October. Considering that Dimensions is in early November, this makes perfect sense.
I started with both a TSC3 and the Yuma2 tablet at the beginning of the demo. A week in I had already decided that the extra horsepower, screen area, and Win7 more than offset the weight penalty for using the tablet. I have Dropbox set to sync a single folder on the tablet so I never have to use cables or flash drives upload/download. Now that they've added the split screen functionality to the measure topo screen it's even better. I run with the measure topo screen on the right and the left can be toggled between map and camera or either can be set to full screen as needed.
TXSurveyor, post: 378746, member: 6719 wrote: Looking into the Magnet software for data collection and maybe at some point utilizing the magnet enterprise. Anyone have experience with either?
I bought a Topcon PS robot with Magnet software on a Tesla controller in early 2014. It replaced my Topcon GPT 9000 robot with FC 200 controller. I've been very pleased with the Topcon PS and Magnet software on the Tesla. Very intuitive software and the Tesla has been bullet proof. It has a large, very readable display. I haven't felt the need to update the Magnet software (didn't want to pay the fee). I've used Topcon instruments for the last 30 plus years (good dealer support) so can't compare it to other brands. I haven't used Enterprise.
Stephen Ward, post: 378766, member: 1206 wrote: the extra horsepower, screen area, and Win7 more than offset the weight penalty for using the tablet
The screen on the tablets is awesome, even in bright sunlight. We use TCC for data management; we were already keeping our firmware warranted so it's basically free and it works well.
