Currently using Geomax's XPAD software on a 7" Panasonic toughpad which is good but it only has Bluetooth v4.2 so range to robot is <200m which is fine 90% of the time. It has a 15h+ battery and the screen still works with drops of rain on it. See Trimble have the TDC600 which access works on but assume Trimble lock access to only work on their devices.
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After watching https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=QBjx2AicZts I'm thinking a phone with Bluetooth v5.0 will solve my range problems and will lighten up the pole too.
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I'm curious if others are using any android smartphones as data collectors and in particular with robotic total stations.
- Can you work all day, 12hrs+ battery life plus with the screen running the whole time?
- Are there any phones that have screens not affected by rain?
- Are protective cases worthwhile or just hinder use?
- Suggestions for solid pole mounts, not just cheap flimsy plastic ones
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Not an android guy, but I can help with a few of your questions.
firstly, I use an iPad mini for work for mapping and navigation, not for data collection. I have had great luck with life proof protective cases in the rain, particularly the ones with the incorporated plastic screen cover. You need to press a hair longer than normal, but I am able to sweep rain off the screen without triggering buttons.?ÿ
secondly, any kind of tough environmental case for your screen is WELL worth the price. Don??t use the price of the phone as a judge, imagine the value of the your data in the phone. I am not sure about you, but a days work for me exceeds $1000.?ÿ
Lastly, any tough environmental case should be able to withstand most SECO (or Sokkia) data collector clamps, particularly the ones with soft plastic grips on the inside of the clamps. Reach out to your local sales guy with the width you need and they should be able to sort you out.
Good to hear about the LifeProof cases, that's what I hoped. Have started looking at seco claw clamps too, just curious what others were using so thanks for your feedback.
We recently went Android, for new software to run GNSS, and bought this 8" Samsung Active Tab 3.
We haven't field tested it yet but I have used it for drone work. Early indications are that sunlight readability is not flash, however just this weekend I received from an EBay purchase, some matt screen protectors. I've put one on but did a shocking job of it (due to being part way through a haircut - power failure) and have not tested it in the sun yet.
The bracket was from Allan in Tauranga.
Any reason for full tablet over a large phone? Keen to hear how your battery life/rain use goes. Thanks
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@lukenz?ÿ
I spent literally months deciding. I think I concluded that the phones available weren't rugged, whereas this Active Tab 3 is rugged (waterproof, dustproof, shock proof). Also, we wanted more real estate than a large phone. This Active Tab 3 has a SIM but I wouldn't fancy it as a phone. It seems just about the right size for a field ops device. It's good for the drone.
Battery life is as yet untested.
I've just been out in the sun, and the matt screen protector is a vast improvement - it almost totally removes that annoying reflection.
True, only one I've found I like is the Samsung xcover pro but not sure about battery life. No drone here only boundary work mostly with a bit of topo so smaller form factor is appealing with phone/phablets. Some of the tablets don't have much bigger batteries than phones and much bigger screens so assume shorter lives.
@lukenz?ÿ
Active Tab 3 has 5050mAh battery and it's hot swappable but the irony is, spare batteries don't seem to be available on this planet. Anyway, specs say it's good for up to 11 hours continuous video but that's probably in a cave running at 1% brightness.
If that's a sketch of what your traverses look like I'd suggest a larger screen. ?????ÿ
@flga-2-2?ÿ
It's a selfie.
Oh Lordy, Lordy ... I would of thought you wouldn't want to be dragging that out again - I think of it every day!
@flga-2-2?ÿ
Ha ha. You got me. But FWIW, it's "The Saint", not me mincing around on site.
The defunct Samsung Active series phones are ruggedized, good in the rain and have all day battery life.
Any phone can be ruggedized with a good case, but I havnt found any case that allows easy use of the touchscreen in the rain. I think I would go with a tablet for the larger screen.?ÿ
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