As most of us know, Trimble purchased Spectra Precision. Trimble, again, as most of us know, practices extreme exclusivity. You would think that they would get along well with one of their own. No.
We run Trimble equipment and software. We have a S-8 robot, a number of R-7/R-8 RTK setups, several TSC-2's and TSC-3's running Survey Controller and Access, and Trimble Business Center (TBC) software.
The local equipment supplier has a demo Spectra Epoch 50 rover and we were looking at purchasing it. From what we can tell, neither Survey Controller or Access will play with their step-brother, the Epoch 50. It requires the purchase of Survey Pro software.
If anyone knows better, please let me know.
I have a Focus 10 robot and I was told and have been told since that they indeed don't play together!
Just my opinion,
It would be up to someone at Spectra Precision to figure out a way of making it work. I personally don't think anyone at Trimble would have any idea how to go about making it happen.
If they need technology, they just go buy out whatever company has that technology.
Again, just my opinion.
James
Survey Pro and Spectra Precision are rebrandings / offshoots of TDS. And although Trimble owns TDS they don't exercise much control over them. TDS operates very independently of Trimble and is very proud of the fact. They bristle when you remind them of the relationship. So I'm not surprised that the 2 products don't interoperate.
I know this because TDS is based in Corvallis, Oregon and the TDS people are regulars at the PLSO convention.
You're correct. Spectra Precision and TDS are both owned by Trimble, as is a dozen other companies. Technically TDS still exist however their Survey software division has been transferred to Survey Pro. TDS still exists but concentrates more on the industrial and military hardware side of things. Spectra is not a rebrand of Trimble equipment. It's the midrange line. Some similarities though. The Epoch 50 and the R8 pretty much the same thing. The Focus 30 and the S6 not even close to one another. Trimble considers Spectra to be there midrange line and Trimble equipment the high end. All Trimble dealers are Spectra dealers, not all Spectra dealers are Trimble dealers. Most if the time Trimble dealers will stick to selling Trimble as the make a fortune on it and the device centers generally are not set up for Spectra.
That being said the Epoch 50 will not work correctly with Trimble software. That includes field software and office software. Grumbles equipment however will all run on Survey Pro.
Dumbest thing I've ever heard. Lots of money involved though I guess.
Not Ridiculous At All
SP and TRMB...different price points for different users. It's about the bells and whistles...
TRMB's Integrated Surveying solution being one of the bigger bells. Gotta pay to play.