I'm currently using a Topcon GPT 8203A Robotic instrument with a Husky Data collector using C&G Field+(hey, it came with the instrument). It works fine, but sometime in the near future, I'd like to upgrade to a more modern data collector and maybe long range bluetooth instead of the standard radios. Of course, cost is a factor in this economy. I've used Carlson DCs in the past and was not really pleased with the way they work. I was thinking Ranger, Recon or something similar. What are the pros and cons of these or other DCs? Also, what is the approximate cost?
I think "long-range" blue tooth is a non starter
I love my tds ranger. It's a little pricey but it is very durable. I use mine with a Topcon GPT 2005A (robot)
I like the Carlson Surveyor+. It doesn't feel "cheap" like the old Explorers. The collector works well with Sokkia's long range Bluetooth (on the SRX/RC-PR4).
Also the Trimble TSC3 is cool...has a built it GPS chip...nice for finding old control points.
Collectors are proprietary now, naturally you'll want to be sure the one you purchase works with your equipment.
> I think "long-range" blue tooth is a non starter
I've used long-range BT out to more than 2000 feet in open country. What don't you like about it?
Best (?)
but I use a leica TCR 1105 with on board TDS and I like it a lot. I prefer on board data collection just to reduce the amount of stuff to carry.
I also have a Allegro CX with Sokkia SurvCE built in that i use for my gps work. It's fine for the job it does but kind of bulky and heavy compared to onboard data collection.
i used to use the GRE3 from Wild/leica years ago and that was a bear to learn!
I would lean towards the smallest unit i could find that had the minimum amount of junk installed. I like TDS but I'm not married to it. I've found most programs get it done just fine...
My 0.04' worth...
we use the tds nomad and a set of homemade bluetooth radios similar to the hayes bantam. they work great.
we replaced our Ranger running TDS with a FC 2500 about a year and a half ago...ranger worked good and the battery lasted for over a week but it had connection problems when using with the robot (802ar), could have been the age of it or a bad Serial port. Someone told me not long ago they reinstalled the software on a ranger and it worked like new after that, never tried that though.
The FC-2500 we have works good, has a few bugs in it but that is more in the Topsurv software than anything...not really bugs but small stuff that p's me off...I like a DC with a full key board, you can get a FC 200 or 250 but it has a popup on screen keyboard, I dont like that much myself. The FC works great with the Hiper Ga's we have and then can swithc over to the Robot with no problems at all. also has a built in camera that comes in handy sometimes.
You have to expand on the homemade Bluetooth.
Might be talking about these things...I was going to buy them but never got around to it..
http://www.lemosint.com/bluetooth/bluetooth_serial_adapters.php
Since everyone has these great phones, and most have bluetooth, I am starting to wonder why carlson or somone hasn't sold a program that loads on a smartphone, that will connect to a BT instrument. It probably is an potential market size thing, but it seems like a small step, especially on a windows platform.
I recently used a rugged tablet size handheld at my cousins auto shop for downloading the codes in my truck's computer. It runs on a full version of winXP - just crazy.
> Might be talking about these things...I was going to buy them but never got around to it..
>
>> http://www.lemosint.com/bluetooth/bluetooth_serial_adapters.phpbr >
those are the ones
i have a guy that i used to work with that builds these things up. the device at the gun is powered off of the gun's juice. the rig at the rod is powered off of 4 AA batteries and connects with a standard instrument cable to the data collector. this way if you want to switch back to convention total station mode you don't have to carry an extra cable. i get 2-4 days per set of batteries. he was charging $600 to build a complete set with the bluetooth adapter included. not sure if he is still building them but i can put anyone interested in touch with him. he is a genius at all electronics among other things. i'll try to post some pics soon.
What kind of range do you get with it?
I have the same thought. The Bluetooth range may be limited.
The technology is there, it is going to take a programmer to be interested in doing the task.
Someone was talking about an HP48 app. It would be great if I could have SMI v7 running with that on my Droid X. It currently has a lot of unused memory.
rated range 1,000 meters, the most i have personally ever tried was 1,000 ft (ga has lots of trees). i have heard 2,000 ft is pretty standard with the sd 1000.
Nice, thanks for the info.
Love mine. I bought a pair of Parani 1000's for a few hundred bucks. Only needs charged once a week and if I'm out of range, which rarely happens, I don't have any business taking a shot at that distance.
we bought the FC2500
It is ok, but I think that the next one will be a Surveyor Plus. There have been a couple of lost 1/2 days to the FC2500 failing.
The dealer/tech says it is because of "third part software". No idea what that means, since the only software on there is from them...
Also, the FC2500 has known screen issues. Supposedly, these have been fixed now. These are all things they tell you after you buy!
HP 48 and a field book. I hate the 'rite in the rain' books. Don't really work as far as I'm concerned. Those are good days for research and recon.
I'm used go my nomad and hipers talking to only the 50 foot range. All my other blue tooth devices are also very limited in range. Haven't seen blue tooth work out to the range you are talking about.
