In the process of acquiring our first robot, a 2" Trimble S6. My decision to go this route has been strongly influenced by others past comments on here. We're already using Trimble R8 GNSS receivers. Back when I made the switch I went with Spectra's version of Survey Pro since we had been using the old TDS version for years. Now the Trimble dealer is pushing Access for the controller for the new S6, but I understand there is a Survey Pro robotics module to run the S6. Anyone have any experience with the Survey Pro running the S6? I could use some feedback.
It really irks me at times how the Trimble dealer always seems to know what is best for me but is unable to answer some of the most basic questions of the pro and cons of the two. When my party chief brought up the subject of Trimble Support, I couldn't help but laugh out loud. What an oxymoron. Hope someone at Trimble is reading this 😉
Cheers all! Willy out.
> I Hope someone at Trimble is reading this 😉
A number of staff at the local Trimble office (Survey, GIS and Machine Control development) used to unofficially follow the old site - that's how I found about it - presumably some also made the move across.
I am a user for both software regularly. I have a ranger 3XR and A TSC2 running access.
I run both of them with a S6 and also a VX.
For ROBOTIC work, I would have to say that Access is my choice because Survey Pro does this thing where it enters "Remote Shot" when you press enter, so you need to actually give the button another press and wait for it to register, otherwise you can end up canceling your shot. Very Frustrating, but you can grow accustomed to it.
I feel Access runs much faster with My S6 because the collector can actually contact the gun as I'm creating my job file (i.e. Job Name, Scale Factor/ Coordinate System)
And it doesn't make the electronic bubble pop up as I am keying in values relevant to my station setup. It's a little annoying when Survey Pro forces it to pop up regardless of what menu you're in.
It may sound like I'm against Survey Pro, but I love it because all the Measuring functions you could want(i.e. H/V Angle offset, Corner & Angle, Corner and 2 Lines) are Simpler to find than in Access. It becomes even easier to find things with the customization home screens, Its pretty much like customizing a screen layout on an iPhone or android. Survey Pro also supports Dropbox (as compared to the paid AccessSync), so my field work is automatically on my network when i walk in the building, a huge plus because it saves time from plugging in the Collector in via usb (or serial if you're still into that) and then Active Sync for whatever reason won't recognize the device. Not saying i have that issue, but i know many that do.
So bottom line: If I had to choose between the two programs, I would probably end up choosing Survey Pro for it's simplicity in design and I need not mention that it Supports much more Total Stations/GNSS Antennas than Access.(I also use a Epoch 50, SP80, Focus 10, & Focus 30) And as added bonus, you already know Survey Pro, so you can get around in there much faster.
As a Surveyor, I always try to keep abreast with as many different programs/equipment as I can because I don't have a particular set of equipment as my own. It is given by my firm, and ultimately, it's what enables me to do my work effectively and correctly.
Hope this helps you!:-)
We run SPSP v5.4.1 with all of our Trimble S6 and Focus 30's. It works great. FWIW, we use it with our Sokkia GRX1's as well as our Topcon Hiper V's. No major issues with the cornucopia of equipment. I've not personally used Access, but those of our staff that have, prefer SPSP to Access.
Regards,
Chad
:good:
Big help. Thanks all and have a great week!
Cheers!
interesting - not that long ago we bought an S6 and are using Trimble Access with it. more recently we added tablets + mifi units for field crews and are using Dropbox to send and receive files to and from field. I'd be interested in learning more on how you use SurveyPro and Dropbox together. please either reply here or send me an email.
thank you very much!
