Carlson Surveyor2 with Geo Option?

I didn't know the geomax could be called from gps location?

If I understand correctly, the "geo" add-on in the surveyor2 is an L1 receiver (more or less consumer grade) for doing gis workflow.

But without L1 in the robot, how would that help with reaquiring the prism?

Before we got the LS we used the geo in the data collector as a handheld gps. It worked great about helping find corners and it allows you to have a drawing file with you to do simple inverses and such.

I thought that option was only useful for the Trimble robots.

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If you are using SurvCE, then the meter-accurate internal GPS receiver (the one in the data collector) is used to point the gun using "GPS Search".

Basically SurvCE builds a GPS localization based on the points you are storing. Once this localization is built, you can point the robot towards your computed position by pressing the 'GPS Search' button on the Robotics tab.

Works great, if you initially shoot some shots along a few outside boundaries of the job. In recent versions you can store and load these gun localization. And if you are working in a geodetic based projection, then you can just use it without a 'calibration'.

I suggest that you get the GEO model, not only for the internal GPS, but for the internal camera which you can use to attach photos to stored points.

It should not cost that much more. In my opinion, not getting it is foolish.

Just found page 137 of the SurvCE 4.0 manual. Going to give it a try. Thanks, Mark.

Would like to know if anyone has successfully used this doing tree surveys or wooded topo?

What Mark Silver said above is dead on. Whether you use it for the "GPS Search" or just for recon/finding corners, you'll find the features are worth more than the $300 price difference. Plus, being able to capture an image and tie it to your point is a valuable capability.

FWIW, we always recommend our customers go with the "Geo" option, and in fact we don't even bother stocking the base model.

I don't stock them either and have no idea what kind of place would.

Oh yeah, I guess I do.

The geo option on the new Carlson data collectors assist in the search function. There are two ways that SurvCE performs a search 1) Power Search 2) Area Search (my term). As I understand it, the SurvCE software does a mini-calibration using GPS locations of the rod and uses that data to assist in determining the rod position when the "Area Seach" function is initiated. Technically after a few shots with the robot, the search function speeds up (this whole mini-calibration function is sort of transparent to the user). Second benefit is the bottom side camera and using it to logging photos with the new Carlson SurvCE extended CRD format. The pictures (of monuments, etc) are attached to the point in one easy step while collecting the data. Works pretty well.

Just upgraded to this dc a few months ago. I was never asked if I wanted/needed this option but did get the GPS package for a future network rover. How can I tell if mine has the "geo" option on it?

You can tell if it is a Geo model if it had a GPS icon on the home screen - outside SurvCE on the desktop.

Thanks, unfortunately doesn't look like I have it. I wonder if this is something that can be added/installed?

Is the geo thing a SurvCE option as well, or does it just need a GPS receiver at the DC? I'm just wondering if I could retrofit an external GPS receiver to my Surveyor+,

JMH4825, post: 405143, member: 10876 wrote: Thanks, unfortunately doesn't look like I have it. I wonder if this is something that can be added/installed?

We've never asked about adding the "Geo" components to an existing data collector, but I imagine it can be done, although I've got to assume it'll cost you more to retrofit than the initial price difference would've been. If you are really interested to know about retrofitting the GNSS board and camera you could call Juniper and check with them.

Jim Frame, post: 405151, member: 10 wrote: Is the geo thing a SurvCE option as well, or does it just need a GPS receiver at the DC? I'm just wondering if I could retrofit an external GPS receiver to my Surveyor+,

In addition to a GPS receiver at the DC you'll need to add the GPS module in SurvCE.

USSurveySupply_8668778783, post: 405277, member: 10942 wrote: In addition to a GPS receiver at the DC you'll need to add the GPS module in SurvCE.

That sounds like a really expensive way to add marginal functionality. I think I'll pass!

Jim Frame, post: 405368, member: 10 wrote: That sounds like a really expensive way to add marginal functionality. I think I'll pass!

Actually, the other big feature in the Geo model of the Surveyor2 (and the Mini2) is the 5MP camera. The Store screen in SurvCE has a camera icon. Tap it, and the camera comes right up. Shoot a pic of the point, and the photo is tied in to your point file. That's hardly what I'd call "marginal functionality!"

Exactly, the geo-referenced photos can be imported into GIS software. We're in the process of taking all the property evidence and control we have found/set since we have been open (6 years now) and putting it all into our GIS. Newer stuff has photos attached. It dosen't need to be survey accurate, just enough to know that we found/set a corner there. The picture will give a good reference and can serve as evidence.

I can take georeferenced photos with my phone -- no need to upgrade my DC for that.

Fair enough but it's easier on the DC. Shoot it, photo it in the same device...easy and no emailing or downloading photos from another device. Trying to fumble your $700 non-weatherproof phone out of your fully insulated jacked while wearing gloves in sub zero temperatures and standing in two feet of snow, then having to unlock it, open the camera app, etc. often leads to accidents. Also I don't want to deal with deleting or having hundreds of work photos on my phone and neither do my employees. Having it all in one is a good option if you ask me.