Carlson SurvCE not what is used to be

TDS is owned by Trimble, under their Spectra Precision marque. If you think Carlson support is less than optimal, just wait until you've experienced the Trimble treatment!

I am a long time TDS user. I switched to Carlson, for 3 mos. It killed me. I worked it hard. Things it needed were missing.

Then, about a month after I sent the Carlson Box back, they came out with a major release, and (I'm told) fixed the things I needed.

Sometimes I wish I had stayed with Carlson, because it is compatible with Javad.

My opinion is that ultimately, a software package that is 3rd party, will eventually be better than one from a manufacturer. This is because they are free to innovate.

I still contend that data collectors are still in their infancy.

All of them are about 100 yrs behind.

I want to only number points one time. And, to be able to shoot them multiple times. (RTK) I want unlimited text on the notes. I want voice activation. I want lightning speed. I want alpha numeric points. I want better file integration. I want to be able to combine 10 old cogo files, into a single file, with points 1A, 1B, 1C etc, and to be able to set up on 1A, BS on 1B, FS on 1C.

In short, I want it all.

I want it faster. Cheaper, and don't want to learn another keyboard layout. QWERTY is my style.

I don't ask for much.

I want bluetooth for 1 mile. So I can leave the GPS observing multiple shots, which are combined into one point number, while I drive around and dig up more mons. I want to be able to multi task, so I can do calcs, while the GPS is running in the background. I can set the GPS in a marginal location, sit in the truck 200' away, in the rain, and enter deeds, while the bluetooth is connected.

I don't ask for much.

Nate

> I want to only number points one time. And, to be able to shoot them multiple times. (RTK) I want unlimited text on the notes. I want voice activation. I want lightning speed. I want alpha numeric points. I want better file integration. I want to be able to combine 10 old cogo files, into a single file, with points 1A, 1B, 1C etc, and to be able to set up on 1A, BS on 1B, FS on 1C.
>
> In short, I want it all.

Then why aren't you using Leica Smartworx?....:-S

Oh wait, that's right, it's too expensive....o.O

Wrong; the money you spend today will pay off huge dividends in the near future...

You forgot my #1:
Solid code so there are NO Crashes EVER

Steve

You don't think out of the box enough 🙂 ! I want it to print cut/fill information on a sticky back note that I can attach to the lath! We have all the hardware to work one man but none of the software! My 2 cents, Jp

One thing that really bugs me is, things that worked fine before don't work right anymore. Heck, fix what's broke, leave the unbroken alone.
I've been with them for about 10 years now, mostly because the data collection software plays well with the desktop/office software.
As far as I know, they're still the best thing out there. As some have said, they haven't gone downhill near as fast as TDS. At least Carlson will let you switch software on different boxes. With TDS, you're stuck, I reckon.

>I want to only number points one time. And, to be able to shoot them multiple times. (RTK)

TDS does this. There is a point averaging option for RTK, or with total stations, you can use "Store Raw Data Only", to store the observation to the same point number for later adjustment.

>I want unlimited text on the notes.

TDS upped the characters allowed, it's a large number now, I don't recall exactly, maybe 128.

>I want alpha numeric points.

TDS does that.

This is one reason what I'm thinking my next DC will be Carlson ... My Newest Ranger broke, I'm not using my old back-up ... I'm not just out the ranger, if it can't be fixed, my $3000+ software can't be transferred to a new Ranger.

> As a long time Carlson SurvCE user, I am considering switching to TDS (or something else) since I have not been pleased with the latest releases. Also, the tech support seems to be lacking these days compared to years past.
>
> Mack

Presuming that you've already made the Carlson Technical Support Group aware of any short-comings in Carlson SurvCE, I'm sure the concerns have been passed along to our development team for consideration. However, if you'd care to also send your list of concerns to me at lnelsonATcarlsonswDOTcom, I'll work toward getting them researched further.

If there is anything further I can do to assist you, please feel free to contact me and I'll do my best to assist you.

>
> Presuming that you've already made the Carlson Technical Support Group aware of any short-comings in Carlson SurvCE, I'm sure the concerns have been passed along to our development team for consideration. However, if you'd care to also send your list of concerns to me at lnelsonATcarlsonswDOTcom, I'll work toward getting them researched further.
>
> If there is anything further I can do to assist you, please feel free to contact me and I'll do my best to assist you.

:good: :good:

Absolutely Proactive, what I love about Carlson. When it comes to accessibility to tech support they can't be beat and it's not even close.
(Except for James at Star*Net, he's a winner)

TDS has a tradein program that equals out to buying new hardware and transferring software free. Check with your dealer or let me know if I can help.

I was told it doesn't apply because the DC is completely dead. It won't turn on. I sent it out and it has "corrosion on the motherboard". They are still looking at it, but I don't have hopes they can get it working. If there is a workable solution involving new hardhard, I'd be interested.

SO MANY people are whining about Carlson's supposed short comings, they've "used it for years" and now it does not work. Yet, when you ask them, "Have you crawled all over your VAR for support?" or have you contacted Carlson Tech Support?", the answer is generally "NO". Seems they feel like they shouldn't have to. (I'm the lucky guy that got to set up our Carlson Survey in the office and get the Field to Finish running. Figured it out and set up a training session for the crews to show them what I had come up with. One of the guys looked me in the eye and said, " I've been using Carlson for 9 years now and already know how to code this stuff. I don't need any class." Problem is that in 9 years a lot had changed and been added and his methods did not work correctly with the current version of the software. That's why I see red when someone say "I've used it for years and now it sucks.".)
Carlson software is evolving with each release and chances are that a lot of things are not done the same away in the new release. The days of picking up the owner's manual and teaching yourself the new stuff are LONG GONE. The VAR's are supposed to be knowledgeable to be able to help you fill the gaps and be able to use what they sold you. Unfortunately that is seldom the case.
I have found the support guys to be VERY helpful in fixing any problems that I have run into. This ranges from showing me the correct way to do what I want to do to sending me new code to fix an issue that I have run into.
Another option is to get with the Carlson College folks. I understand that Jennifer DiBona has an awesome training class on Carlson CE.
All of this costs time or costs money, but not near as much as the surveyor standing out in the field, scratching his head and saying" What the hey!!".
The times are changing and keeping up with it all is a real challenge. You either meet the challenge or become a Door Nazi at WalMart.

Email me your contact information. I will contact you. cwlawley3@gmail.com

I was forced to buy a tesla with magnet software
I was told that the ranger would not work with
my hiper srs.
I have just spent many hours playing around in
the office office with a topcon 3105w and can tell
you that to get to the same place, and i mean just simply
setting and checking a backsight it takes a whole
lot more time and several chances for errors with the
magnet than the ranger with 4.5 on it

How were you "forced" to do anything?? That dog don't hunt.
The key to all of this new technology is understanding that just because you and some "expert" do not know how to do something does not necessarily mean that it cannot be done.
Success is achieved if you tell your VAR how you would like to do something and then YOU FORCE HIM to come up with the desired answer. If he can't, find another source.
NEVER accept the reply, "I cannot replicate your problem" or "you cannot do it that way.". Usually you can, IF you finally find the proper source.
That's why I like Carlson. If I ever do hit something that "cannot be done", the will go so far as to rewrite the code to fix the problem. They truly want to know about any problems you encounter and will work their butts off to fix it. Remember too, sometimes things do not work because YOU are not doing something right. :-/

i will tell you what
give this a trial run and get back to me

I wouldn't be so sure about that. It was posted the other day that Trimble coded a "random passcode" into their R10 that can only be interpreted by TDS Survey Pro or Trimble Access (both Trimble brands, of course). Has Topcon gone this route, too?

Carlson might be screwed if the major players stop playing nice.