@lukenz?ÿ
I'm not sure if they really aren't supported or if the extra couple thousand dollars they charge to allow access on a different windows tablet covers that? Would have to look into it with them.?ÿ
Microsurvey "supports" Fieldgenius on anything but I think they prefer it to be on whatever they have in house for testing (like a juniper Mesa 2). However my biggest issues I have on the Panasonic also happen on the Mesa 2 for the other crew.?ÿ
If I had known the outcome I wouldn't have wasted any time dealing with Microsurvey trying to figure out the bugs. The time I waste just closing and relaunching the program isn't nearly as much as that was. At least I know and am used to the bugs now.?ÿ
I want the other crews to get past all their teething pains with Trimble access before they get me anything new. Lots of life left in my Leica 1203+ so it's a waste to retire it now.?ÿ
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Well I spoke too soon, turns out the engineers at Panasonic decided to score an own goal and the bluetooth range on the new fz-s1 to the robot is WORSE than the old fz-b2 despite the Bluetooth bring v5.0 up from v4.2 on the old one. Importer technical guy was pretty embarassed but sounds like it's something to do with the new internal antenna design.
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The next best option appeared to be the Samsung Tab Active 3 but from talking to some users sounds like real world battery life is only 5-6 hours in the field which is insufficient. The android MESA is pretty extensive for what it is and not heard the best about firmware matters so not keen to risk that kind of money. Not sure Trimble dealer would sell me a TSC5 to use with oppositions gear either.
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Back tossing up whether to go with a decent smart phone/phablet (reckon that 7-8" size is sweet spot; just big enough to view plans but not so large that it is unwieldy in bush)and accept I won't be able to use it when it rains as the capacitive touchscreens can't handle it from the little guidance I can see online. Probably the best option as decent processor = no lag, have an excuse not to work in any real rain but will have to baby the phone more than the Panasonic tablet but no different to babying the robot really.
I'm sure Trimble would sell a tsc5 alone to use for whatever... but I believe it's significantly more money than the Mesa (don't quote me).?ÿ
Most of my issues had to do with access on the tsc5 so it got exchanged for a tsc7. I don't know about the long range Bluetooth on the tsc5 because it used the radio module attachment to work with the S5. If it was $5500 for the Trimble tsc5 and $3500 for the Mesa I would probably want the Mesa as it's closer to the Panasonic I've been pretty happy with the past couple of years. During weather the tsc5 and tsc7 are definitely superior though.?ÿ
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I'm playing with a Trimble TDC600 of late.
Brilliant little unit, but no good in rain at all.
@jimcox?ÿ
I've been wondering that as it has a standard capacitive screen. Bit surprising no workible wet mode in software as seems a logical GNSS controller so more likely to be happy to be put in rain than with robot (sure both modern robots and GNSS have good ingress protection but the GNSS doesn't have moving parts to work the moisture in).?ÿ
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Have you used it with a stylus for writing notes/drawing diagrams? Also what bracket do you use to have it on pole?
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The Panasonic fz-b2 I'm currently using has a wet mode which isn't too bad in showers (have to be very definate with your presses though) and I value my gear too much for using in heavy rain. It's just the processor is ancient so slow and the Leica/Geomax approach uses Bluetooth for comms with robot and the newer v5 devices seem heaps better for range vs what I have (whereas the TDC600 needs another expensive module and another battery to connect to Trimble robot I understand and it has old v4.2 Bluetooth so no improvement for me, was looking at tsc5's though)
@jimcox?ÿ
Haven't had it in the rain, I have had it in the snow and it still worked. The main issue I had was taking my gloves off. Rain isn't a problem for me, I don't work in the rain. ?????ÿ
@lukenz?ÿ
The TDC600 does not have a stylus. I guess there are apps where you could use a finger for drawing, but I haven't played with them.
There is a good bracket for it to attach to the pole (or my bicycle) which allows it to work in portrait or landscape mode.
The electronic data bridge that has bluetooth one side and trimble radio the other works well - you only need it for the TDC600 to work with an S7 or similar (it is bluetooth straight to the GPS) The data bridge can be used to connect pretty much any tablet or laptop to the total station
I am finding that I don't miss the keyboard as much as I expected.
Apart from the rain issue (I'm not made of brown sugar and do work in all weathers), I could certainly use one as a daily driver
@jimcox?ÿ
?ÿI have had it in the snow and it still worked. The main issue I had was taking my gloves off.
That's good to hear. I have not had a chance to play with them in snow. And I do actually want to be able to use one to log avalanche testpit data.
I know what you mean about gloves off - I have still to find any pair of gloves that actually works properly on touchscreen, hence my preference for a stylus. For now it is fingertips through cut-off glove liners under a removable mitten shell.
What works for you?
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Also meant to comment, they are too big as just a phone, you can't put them in your trouser pocket.
Hey, maybe I should ask Cactus for a custom pair of their Tradies Super-Trou 🙂
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@jimcox?ÿ
I haven't had it out much, we got 2' of snow at some sites a couple of weeks ago. In the field I simply pull the gloves off and type, like you I don't miss the physical keyboard as much as I thought. Many points I do will be repeats and it's fantastic with those.
I often don't even hook it up to the rod or 4-wheeler just hold it with the strap and hit measure with my thumb. I do like the bracket, everything is so light and easy to carry.?ÿ
I haven't looked into it but it would be awesome to dictate your feature code into the phone and have it type it.?ÿ
Seems it should be possible since it's a phone.?ÿ
We have two kinds of rain: rain/snow mix, cold early spring rains, those are fine; then there's the summer/fall rains. Not quite 100% of the time those come with electricity and those are a no-go for me. Time to pack up, wait it out or go home for the day. We have damaged one radio beyond repair during one of those events and have come close many times since. Sometimes it's a race to the radio and base to pick up in time.?ÿ
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I haven't looked into it but it would be awesome to dictate your feature code into the phone and have it type it.?ÿ
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Hold that thought 🙂 ...
@jimcox?ÿ
Now your talking their kit is awesome but I did find Dickies pants wear out slower, must be the polyester, but for more sustainable gear can't be beat.
@jimcox?ÿ
I wonder how it works in a ziplock bag?
I'll let you know next time it rains 🙂
The unit is well waterproof - its just the way the screen reacts to the droplets
A rainy day today leads to the following...
The TDC600-2 has a better screen for rain - not so directly affected by drops - but it too becomes unusable very quickly in the rain.
A ziplock bag does not help in any way.
And Cactus Equipment's largest phone pouch is too small
@jimcox?ÿ
Presume you were comparing to a standard smartphone? Excellent real world feedback. Wonder if those glass screen protectors world make any difference?
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From my experience with Panasonic the 'rain mode' for capacitive touchscreens is just the sensitivity turned way down so only solid finger taps register.
@lukenz?ÿ
The TDC600-2 does not seem to have a finger|stylus|glove|rain setting. I could not find anything in the manual or help files. I wonder if it may be possible to find and install a third party app that handles this - it is on Android10
They do work with a stylus though.
@jimcox?ÿ
I wonder how it works in a ziplock bag?
This is how I use our Carlson RT4 in the rain or wet snow.?ÿ I do the following:
1. Set touch profile to Glove or Non-fine (depends on how wet things are).
2. Make sure to **NOT** set it to Rain (mine has a screen protector on it and setting it to Rain completely nerfs the touch screen; I had to use the keys to get it out of that mode.?ÿ Without a screen protector, Rain mode works pretty good).
3. Drop RT4 in big, tough ziplock.
4. Seal it in w/ quite a bit of air (ie. don't squeeze it all out before you seal).
5. Wrap the bag around the back and place in RAM holder.
6. Air causes the bag to "poof" up so that the screen does not register raindrops. When you push your finger down, the air smooshes out of the way and only your finger gets logged by the RT4.
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It came down to $500 USD for the keyboard attachment or $0.50 for the ziplock bag.?ÿ The bean counters won the argument.
I've been test driving a Leica CS30 and I really liked it util it rained.?ÿ The capacitive screen just goes crazy in a typical NW rain.?ÿ While a number of members don't work in the rain, it is not an option in my part of the world, my range gauge has registered over 1000 mm of rain since October.?ÿ I contacted Leica and applied a firmware patch that really did not work.?ÿ The screen just goes nuts with standing moisture on it.?ÿ I kind of like the baggy idea although I seems kind of stupid to spend 7K on something I'm going to need to jury rigged to work 9 moths out of the year.
When I used an FC-5000 Topcon tablet I ended up putting a cheap plastic hotel shower cap over it and that worked surprisingly well.?ÿ The elastic ring kept it from flying off and the thin plastic laying on the screen didn't register as finger presses yet it kept the raindrops from causing trouble.