Archer 2 vs. Allegro 2

Carlson Surveyor+
Carlson Surveyor+
Carlson Surveyor+

Carlson Surveyor2 demoed returned refunded
Leica Captivate CS20 demoed returned refunded

carlson surveyor+ aka junipersystems TK 6000 is the best period
i have 3

The only differences in the Allegro2 and the Archer2 is the presence of a physical keyboard or the lack thereof. The processor, memory, processing RAM and so forth are the same. So if you want a keyboard, Allegro2,along with the higher price, gets it for you.

Jerry-

I have an Archer2 with the on-board GPS? Just how "accurate" is that GPS? So far, the best I can get is about 10må±.

JerryS, post: 416162, member: 205 wrote: The only differences in the Allegro2 and the Archer2 is the presence of a physical keyboard or the lack thereof. The processor, memory, processing RAM and so forth are the same. So if you want a keyboard, Allegro2,along with the higher price, gets it for you.

I am used to Archer2 like design with all of my data collectors from Handheld when used with total stations. Unfortunately, screen related problem is common among X3, X7, and Algiz 7. Due to this, I am thinking of sacrificing size and mobility with bigger data collectors equipped physical keyboard as I see very common among American surveyors. My intention is to minimize screen engagement. Is the physical keyboard presence really of greater advantage in the field?

Is the Archer2 display very durable compared to handheld based users feedback? One seller recommendation is for the Archer2. I guess I need more input from surveyors/users before I make my final decision.

As a Leica user, I am fine with CS09, CS15, and CS20 for GNSS application. I find mobility quite affected when used with total stations.

Thank you.

I use a Carlson Surveyor 2 with my TS16 Leica robot. Works great.

foggyidea, post: 416178, member: 155 wrote: I use a Carlson Surveyor 2 with my TS16 Leica robot. Works great.

Is the presence of physical keyboard really a great advantage? Is it much quicker using the virtual keyboard instead?

Thank you.

I tried the surveyor2 for a week i found.

1) the buttons are two small
2) the qwerty key board is annoying
3) the screen does not allow a pen to be used you have to use your finger or the rubber tipped pen supplied
4) two big i average size hands hands and the waist is to fat to rap my fingers around it.
5) ports on the bottom behind a silly door whats wrong with ports on top
6) internal gps what for i just carry a solo Leica GS16 for those very few times i need rough position
7) power search works so well who needs gps search.

8) here is the big one i called up juniper systems 3 years ago and explained the surveyor plus is the best all it needs is a bigger screen
and they built the surveyor2 instead sigh. The surveyor+ screen issue could be fixed by carlson by better use of screen real estate on
the surveyor+

Marks for juniper 1/2 step forward (screen size) - two steps back keyboard button size and case size score -1.5 Oh well... don't heed my
observations i only have 3 carlson surveyor + i use day in day out .

keyboards rule touch screen only dc= crap

Peter Kozub, post: 416191, member: 375 wrote: I tried the surveyor2 for a week i found.

1) the buttons are two small
2) the qwerty key board is annoying
3) the screen does not allow a pen to be used you have to use your finger or the rubber tipped pen supplied
4) two big i average size hands hands and the waist is to fat to rap my fingers around it.
5) ports on the bottom behind a silly door whats wrong with ports on top
6) internal gps what for i just carry a solo Leica GS16 for those very few times i need rough position
7) power search works so well who needs gps search.

8) here is the big one i called up juniper systems 3 years ago and explained the surveyor plus is the best all it needs is a bigger screen
and they built the surveyor2 instead sigh. The surveyor+ screen issue could be fixed by carlson by better use of screen real estate on
the surveyor+

Marks for juniper 1/2 step forward (screen size) - two steps back keyboard button size and case size score -1.5 Oh well... don't heed my
observations i only have 3 carlson surveyor + i use day in day out .

keyboards rule touch screen only dc= crap

Thank you for your input.

So you mean physical keyboard presence overcomes the ease of use with the Archer2 for example?

its raining out the screen is covered with snow rain and my gloves are on how can you use a touch screen well.

oh yea wipe touch.. wipe touch.. wipe touch......................................... dam it wears the key board oh there is not one why did i by this crap

i kind of can read the screen on my surveyor+ i have been saved there is the key board i can work in my thick gloves.

Peter Kozub, post: 416198, member: 375 wrote: its raining out the screen is covered with snow rain and my gloves are on how can you use a touch screen well.

oh yea wipe touch.. wipe touch.. wipe touch......................................... dam it wears the key board oh there is not one why did i by this crap

i kind of can read the screen on my surveyor+ i have been saved there is the key board i can work in my thick gloves.

Thank you so much for this very helpful information..

amdomag, post: 416180, member: 1683 wrote: Is the presence of physical keyboard really a great advantage? Is it much quicker using the virtual keyboard instead?

Thank you.

I prefer having the keyboard than a virtual one. I don't experience the problems that Peter Kozub talks about, but then again, BC Canada is a bit chillier than Cape Cod MA. I use gloves with the fingertips cut off the index fingers.

Re keyboard or not, I've used both and personally find lack of keyboard frustrating.
Keyboards allow for shortcuts without diving into the screen menus.
That's a huge plus for me.
Also like the old HP's I can type in things almost blindfolded without looking at the device.
Screen keyboards aren't as large as physical.
Takes lot more taps on screen, more wear on overlays.
I'd never chose a data recorder without a keyboard.

It probably also depends on type of work you're doing and instrument involved. RTK or TS.
I do a lot of cadastral surveys and make a lot of calculations using Cogo.
Little GPS work.

foggyidea, post: 416178, member: 155 wrote: I use a Carlson Surveyor 2 with my TS16 Leica robot. Works great.

What drivers are you using? Carlson is telling me the Leica has not released the drivers for the TS16, I did not know if the TS15 drivers would drive the TS16.
There web page still list the TS16 as not supported.

I have a TS16, that is why I am asking.
TIA
Ed

ekillo, post: 416230, member: 773 wrote: What drivers are you using? Carlson is telling me the Leica has not released the drivers for the TS16, I did not know if the TS15 drivers would drive the TS16.
There web page still list the TS16 as not supported.

I have a TS16, that is why I am asking.
TIA
Ed

My mistake, ts12 is what I meant to type....

I'll echo the benefits of a full keyboard. I went from an AllegroCX (screen died, I still think I might be able to fix it, just haven't had time) to a Surveyor+. Both have full keyboards with similar layouts, and they're very easy to use. My gripe is with SurvCE -- the developers left in a few situations in which there's no way of navigating without using the touch screen. For most operations I can run it entirely from the keyboard, but there a couple of situations in which there's either no virtual button with the focus, or no way to move beyond a subset of the virtual buttons to get to the one you need, and the hotkeys don't work. Unfortunately, SurvCE v5.0 introduced one that didn't exist in v4.0: after hitting the search button in the Store Points screen, once the search is complete and lock is achieved none of the virtual buttons has the focus, and neither Tab nor Enter nor the joystick will grab the focus. You have to tap one of the buttons to get going again. But for the most part, e.g. lots of topo shots from a single setup, I never use the touchscreen. It's much faster from the keyboard.

It just occurred to me that maybe I *can* move the focus in those situations described above, but the virtual buttons aren't highlighted as the focus moves. I've found that to be the case with a couple of other screens. For example, after completing a Set you're presented with the choice of turning more at the same station or changing stations. If you use the Tab key to move from the default (which I think is turning more), you move the focus to the Change Station button, which get highlighted and responds to the Enter key. But if you use the joystick move the focus, the Enter key works but the Change Station button isn't highlighted, so you have no visual confirmation of what function you're about to execute.

Jim Frame, post: 416300, member: 10 wrote: I'll echo the benefits of a full keyboard. I went from an AllegroCX (screen died, I still think I might be able to fix it, just haven't had time) to a Surveyor+. Both have full keyboards with similar layouts, and they're very easy to use. My gripe is with SurvCE -- the developers left in a few situations in which there's no way of navigating without using the touch screen. For most operations I can run it entirely from the keyboard, but there a couple of situations in which there's either no virtual button with the focus, or no way to move beyond a subset of the virtual buttons to get to the one you need, and the hotkeys don't work. Unfortunately, SurvCE v5.0 introduced one that didn't exist in v4.0: after hitting the search button in the Store Points screen, once the search is complete and lock is achieved none of the virtual buttons has the focus, and neither Tab nor Enter nor the joystick will grab the focus. You have to tap one of the buttons to get going again. But for the most part, e.g. lots of topo shots from a single setup, I never use the touchscreen. It's much faster from the keyboard.

It just occurred to me that maybe I *can* move the focus in those situations described above, but the virtual buttons aren't highlighted as the focus moves. I've found that to be the case with a couple of other screens. For example, after completing a Set you're presented with the choice of turning more at the same station or changing stations. If you use the Tab key to move from the default (which I think is turning more), you move the focus to the Change Station button, which get highlighted and responds to the Enter key. But if you use the joystick move the focus, the Enter key works but the Change Station button isn't highlighted, so you have no visual confirmation of what function you're about to execute.

Thank you so much Jim for sharing your experience using the physical keyboard. This is a very valuative information for me. Thank you.

My Allegro 2 is finally on hand.

Thanks for the input guys!

Arnel Domag
Philippines