My FC-120 DC took a big "poop" this summer, about 2 days after the warranty ran out (go figure!), so I rented a FC-2500. Had issues with it (operator error) and never could get it localized ... ended up with the old 48 and TDS, which my Windows 7 computer did not like. Long story short, I am looking at the FC-2600 (the 2500 is now obsolete apparently) or the Tesla. Both are nice units, the Tesla has a touch screen, which I am not partial to, but the OS is Windows Mobile, while the 2600 has a keyboard (nice for me and my fat fingers)but the OS is Windows CE, which, if I understand correctly, is an older OS that is on its way out??
Any experience with either, (or both) of these? Price is about the same, I can get the Tesla now, in Anchorage and the 2600 I would have to wait til after Jan 2013 to receive it (for income tax reasons, I am not out to the field until spring, something about sub zero weather and my aging bones!) Thanks.
-JD-
I don't know, about either, but up there in Alaska, you had better look at the lower end of the temperature scale, in specifications, or plan on a little heater box for it!
Be warm!
N
I have had no problems with my FC-2500. I have even dropped it in the ocean once, near the shore, plucked it out, ran some fresh water over it and continued to work, that was about 1 year ago.
Apparently the Tesla is good to -22 or so and the 2600 to 5 below. Either one is too cold for these old bones! Lesson learned about my Hipers. Out in a Yukon village one March, Hipers would not work, drove me batty. Called the techies back in Anchorage. They asked me what the temp was, told 'em around 35 below.... "well criminy, dude, they're only rated to 20 below!" I try to stay indoors when it's that cold. Heck we're having a heat wave, warmed up from -17 to +17 this morning!
-JD-
All things being equal, I'd opt for the collector with buttons...much easier to operate in the field. Maybe it's me though, I cant adapt to touch screen 'only' phones either. Keep getting Droids with the slider just for the physical keyboard. 😉
I have been running the Tesla now for about 3 months. Still getting used to it. At this time I would still prefer a "more traditional" data collector with buttons. I find myself hitting wrong buttons all the time. I have not held the FC 2600 but the Tesla seems heavy. The Tesla does have some nice features as I am sure the FC 2600 does too. Don't get talked into something you don't want.
The FC-2600 is the exact same controller as the FC-2500, just a different version of windows that allows it to run Topcon's new Magnet software.
I have a FC-2500 and have had no problems with it in the two years I've owned it. Screen seems brighter than most. After using it with the full keypad I don't like using a collector that only has a touch screen.
I have a 2500 for my HiperXTs and it works great.
No idea about Tesla.