My company is looking to purchase a GNSS Receiver system. We don't need the base/rover setup and currently only use the RTK functions for monitoring changes to our sites. We partner with 5 other organizations that use Trimbles and we share our data between organizations. We return to survey sites three times a year and if we have the RTK units available sometimes run two units at the site to save time. So we are concerned with accuracy within site as well as over large and short time scales. We put out a bid and the Leica Viva GS14 came out to be lower in price than the Trimble R6 we were hoping to get. Looking at the units, they are largely comparable in terms of durability, time, accuracy etc. and other online comparisons show preferences that seem to be based on what people used first. I realize that both products will do what we need them to do, but my question is related to the post processing/data management/compatibility given that we work so closely with other groups that use Trimbles, if we do get the Leica, will there be issues with data management? I don't want to end up buying the cheaper model just to end up having to spend hours on the back end transforming or finding out that we can't really compare our data with the other organizations.
Does anyone have any advice or experience with this?
Data compatibility between the two is likely not easy, if possible at all. Trimble has a long history of not cooperating with others, and Leica has followed suite.
As far as post processing data, I know trimble has the ability to export the rinex files (via free software, that you will need to download), and I am assuming Leica would have something similar.
My experience is that these two companies have really gone out of their way to prevent their product being used with third party hardware and software.
If it was me, I wouldn't plan on any interchangeability between the two platforms (short of exporting to asci onto a laptop, and importing into the other system)
Anything is possible, but the time, effort, and expense required would be the killer.
Trimble and Leica both make a good product, they just don't cooperate well with others.
So really the issue is if we try to load Leica data onto a Trimble controller and vice-versa?
Once we download the data, would it be a problem to share between groups? Or to compare to previous seasons or years?
Comparing data is not an issue, use whatever you want.
If you are trying to obtain real-time correction from a Trimble base while using non-Trimble rover, then it can be a bit tricky. Some of the settings at the base would possibly need to be changed.
Job files from Access, Smartworx Viva or any other field software is typically proprietary. However, most, if not all, have common import/export capabilities, namely, ASCII, DXF, LandXML, etc. You could like export an ASCII file from one brand of software and import it into another.
The biggest issue is going to come if you want to mix them in an RTK environment... they're not going to play well together. Post processing is no problem, you can use RINEX files. Exchanging data between platforms is no problem, you can use ASCII files.
Leica LGO will export RINEX files, it is however a PAID option to import RINEX data. Neither Trimble or Leica office suites will read the other's raw data files.
As has been pointed out, ASCII point files and other generic formats can generally be read by both.
If it were me, I would buy the Trimble gear since that is what you need to work with, I say that as a Leica user, but I have long been a believer in having all equipment in an organization be the same color, any perceived benefit obtained from mixing and matching will be lost due to the frustration of getting everything to play nice together.
SHG
> If you are trying to obtain real-time correction from a Trimble base while using non-Trimble rover, then it can be a bit tricky. Some of the settings at the base would possibly need to be changed.
I'm not sure that is correct. Many moons ago I switched form Trimble to Leica GPS. I was able to utilize my Trimble base with a Leica Rover on a large project with other companies using Trimble RTK accessing my base. As I recall the base set up was unchanged. I did have to adjust the settings in my Leica Rover though.
On the Trimble side, if you don't mind being a couple of generations back, I can make you a great deal on some 5700 kit.
Thanks everyone! This has been really helpful!
There seems to be issues with the Glonass/GPS correction strings, RTCM3.1, CMR+, we tested a few formats recently ane and could not get the Trimble RTK to receive data from Leica base, there must be a way, need to figure out.
