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Data Collector touch screens in the rain

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rfc
 rfc
(@rfc)
Posts: 1901
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Topic starter
 

Picking up where I left off in April, working on my network. I came across this weirdness. Look at the last 7 lines.
I'm sure I didn't mash the screen 7 times.

I recall that it might have been sprinkling/raining when I took the shot. I'm using an ancient Jett DC running SurvCE.
Can touch screens (I was using a pencil eraser as my implement, not my finger) cause this? Flaky cable? Something else?
Anyone ever seen anything like this?

 
Posted : August 3, 2016 7:41 pm
jones
(@jones)
Posts: 164
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We have had several strange things happen with data collectors. With our current surveyor 2 we have had traverse distances recorded in .10 to the .20 range when they were actually in the 100' to 200' range. This has happened using three different instruments over a long period of time with no rhyme or reason to it.

 
Posted : August 3, 2016 7:52 pm
Monte
(@monte)
Posts: 857
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I have had raindrops cause trouble on a TSC series data collector. I have also had excessive heat make the screen protector pull on the touch screen and distort the sensors, making the screen act funny. The rain seemed to do similar, making the screen not respond to touches, or making the touch register on the wrong spot.

 
Posted : August 3, 2016 8:00 pm
Rich.
(@rich)
Posts: 779
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Similar things would happen to me occasionally when I was using a wire to connect to the total station. Ever since switching over to Bluetooth for everything it hasn't happened again

 
Posted : August 3, 2016 8:04 pm
MitchPTD
(@mitchptd)
Posts: 120
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I am not sure if it applies to every Data Collector using Windows Mobile (mine is 6.5), but the Topcon FC-500 (Archer 2) has a profile you can load up for rain. Basically, it means you have to press the stylus down harder so it doesn't mistake the drops for taps. Its Under Settings/System/ Touch.

You can change it from Stylus to Finger or Rain.

 
Posted : August 4, 2016 10:49 am

makerofmaps
(@makerofmaps)
Posts: 550
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Ever since I got some bad shots back from the distance reflecting off the rain drops. I wont work in it. And this was before the reflectorless days.

 
Posted : August 4, 2016 10:52 am
tabraha
(@tabraha)
Posts: 25
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Yep, have had old Rangers, Recons and Surveyors false click in the rain. I haven't had the new FC-5000's long enough to know how well the "Rain" profile will work but seems like it would be an improvement since someone went to the trouble to implement it.

When we used 2m rover rods I would mount the DC up high and angle it down towards my face so the rain would fall on the back of the unit and the screen would stay dry. You take a few rain drops to the face but the data collector screen continues to function well. Now we use the snap-lock poles primarily and can't do that. I seem to avoid the rain now more than I used to. Maybe it's not just my equipment that has gotten more finicky with the rain LOL.

 
Posted : August 4, 2016 11:30 am