My new employer has balked at the $85 grand for new equipment and we will be buying used next week. What that means is that we won't get the training and support that may be needed to get up and running as quickly as I had hoped. The equipment will be a Trimble S6 robotic and R8 Rover and Base for GPS, all driven by a TSC2. As yet we are not set up to tie into any LAN. Does a LAN make the work any easier or more productive than having your own base set up?
Any pointers to make this new experience easier? Looking for volunteers to help me out when/if I get stuck.
T.I.A.
Vern
you can always pay your local dealer hourly to give you training/support.
If by LAN you mean Network or VRS (Virtual Reference Station) network, yes, it is infinitely simpler. We run an R8 receiver with a TSC2 on Keystone's VRS Network, and it is very easy to use. They do not have the best customer service, but fortunately they run a good network, so I seldom need to contact them.
This type of connection allows us to have only one receiver to get a solution as opposed to operating 2 to get a traditional RTK solution.
If you subscribe to a network they may provide you with some training at least with getting connected and getting solutions. However, there is a fee associated with the network access.
The biggest problem is we don't have a local dealer in town. The nearest one is about 60 miles away.
Vern
One of the best GPS trainers in the USA is Michael McInnis and he is located in Golden, CO.
There is really no substitute for on site training.
A dealer might not have much interest or capability. Check with the manufacturer and see if you can get trainer in for two days for $3-5000. In my experience the trainer will leave a business card and an invitation to call anytime a question comes up.
That's priceless.
I second John's recommendation of Michael. The best thing about Michael is, he'll tell the good AND the bad about your gear & software unlike the dealer or the manufacturer.
Doug
Thanks for the link. I have emailed a training request. Any idea what the costs are?
It would be hard for me to give you a price. Michael is very flexible and can tailor the class to your needs so the price will depend on what you want. He also has classes you can choose from.
It looks like you are in Colorado. If that is true your local vendor is Vectors Inc.
Vectors, Inc - Denver
8811 E. Hampden Ave., Ste. 110
Denver, CO 80231
Telephone: 303-283-0343
Toll-Free Number: 877-283-0342
Fax Number: 303-283-0342
Give them a call and see what they can do for you.
We just purchased a used R8 rover and are using a VRN. We also have the TSC2 with SurvCE. We had to upgrade to a GPS package on that.Fortunately the dealer we bought from is extremely helpful and is a surveyor who has used GPS for years.
Maybe we can help each other over the learning curve..See my two posts regarding SurvCE and also FoxFi and ICS!
Good news!
They thought better of going the used route when I compared it to a used car lemon.
All new Trimble gear is in the works for Monday. I may still bother you all with questions but probably not as many.