I am giving a new Spectra Epoch 50 gnss system a hard look right now and am trying to make a decision on field software and collectors. Carlson works with this system (supposedly) and Survey pro is the in house software so it obviously works. What do you guys think? I have been a trimble user for about 6 years and before that used both Carlson and Survey Pro. So here it is a list of questions?
1. Will Carlson work as well with the 3rd party system?
2. If my collector takes a crap can I move the software with Survey Pro? I know I can with Carlson.
3. I do not like the Ranger 3's small keys as well as the Ranger 2's bigger keys but both are solid. The other option is the Carlson Surveyor and Survey +. Opinions on ruggedness/processing ability/Bluetooth range etc?
4. General comments likes/dislikes on software and collectors?
5. Spectra Epoch 50 users Likes dislikes?
just picked up a epoch 50 system.
the radio range is terrible so pick up an external radio system.
go with survey pro and the ranger. cant go wrong with survey pro IMO.
ive used Carlson survey pro seems lightyears ahead to me.
im finding the spectra hardware just isnt as good as the high end topcon/trimble stuff. it works great in the open scenerios but i havent come to fully trust it in the less favorable conditions like i did with the topcon stuff. to be expected i suppose. picked this system up as a spare in case one goes down.
i wish the epoch 50 had 2 battery packs instead of one. really not a huge deal but then you wouldnt have to swap batteries half way through the day.
use an external radio on the base as it burns through the internal batteries in 2hrs since it is broadcasting.
the bluetooth range on the rover/base is not good. have to get out of the truck and go up close to set it ( you become spoiled when you dont have to get out of the truck even though it used to be a cable)
Verify survce works with the epoch 50. From my previous experience it does not work well. I have used the epoch 50 though and really liked it. It is basically an R8 model 3 in a blue case.
I am a dealer/user. Since your asking questions in addition to asking for opinions I felt like I would be okay answering.
1. The Epoch 50 works with Survey Pro and Carlson SurvCE (Fast Survey through Spectra). There were driver problems in the past, I remember one big one especially back with 2.62). However, 3.xx and especially 4.xx are driving the GPS receiver just fine.
2. SurvCE can be transferred from one data collector to another. Spectra Precision can not be moved. That being said, Spectra offers a trade in program on old data collectors, so when you think about it - it costs almost the same to either a) replace the data collector and move SurvCE for free) or b) do the trade in program for a new Spectra Precision data collector which includes the software.
3. Problems with the Epoch 50...Not many, if any at all. Typically, when our repair department receives a receiver back it is normally for a broken battery door. It is relatively easy to break the way it is engineered. As with all equipment, if you take care of it, it won't break. There are no common hardware repair issues that I know of.
4. Likes/Dislikes...I don't like the radios range. That being said, I don't like the radios on any GPS that have been narrowbanded. As much as people say one works more than the other, it really isn't true. An internal 1-watt radio on a 12.5kHz bandwidth only goes so far, so differences will be minimal. I also don't like the battery door. What do I like...it's a Trimble R8 board for a fraction of the cost. It works very well with Survey Pro. My absolute favorite GPS on the market right not is a Spectra Precision SP80. You'll pick up internal 2-watt radios, Z-blade and dual hot-swappable batteries for just a little bit extra. It works with both Survey Pro and Carlson as well.
Good luck with your purchase.
Carlson SurvCE > Surey pro
SurveyPro died at version 4.8... Trimble ruined the party.
From what I am gathering and correct me if im mis-understanding is Carlson works but Survey Pro Works better with the epoch 50? Also there seems to be really good deals on RTK right now and its getting cheaper every day. Would you guys go with and epoch 50 over the latest models of Topcon/Sokkia or Leica if the prices were comparable?
Yea... no and no. Carlson > SurveyPro
Spectra < Topcon/leica/trimble
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I would not pay money for spectra hardware... but that is just me. I am a gear queen and there gear doesn't impress me.
Everyone else seems to have covered most of the points, the only thing I would add is about the hardiness of the gear. As a data collector, I can easily say that the surveyor+ from Carlson trumps all. That thing is a freaking tank, you can damn near use it as a hammer.
