After many many years with my trusted Trimble 5603 Robot and TSC2 (and a Geodimeter 600 before that) it has finally been replaced. I thought I could use that equipment until we both retired. About three years ago started using Carlson SurvCE on the TSC2 and changed the the factory radios to the Parani bluetooths which pretty worked well. The final nail in the coffin for me was the 5603 batteries and cables. The 5603, with the Parani's, use a lot of cables and the instrument has always been a battery hog.
I replaced the 5603 with a new Carlson CR2 Robotic Total Station and Mesa2 tablet running SurvPC, and and all I can say is WOW! Fast set-up, no cables, batteries that last all day, fast rock solid robotic performance. I am very pleased with this purchase.
Tell us where it was retired:
https://surveyorconnect.com/community/threads/retired-equipment.329086/
🙂
Sold the Trimble 5603 set-up, and the Geodimeter 600 will be one of those things that is too valuable to throw away but that I will never use again.
I feel your mourning, and celebrate your new excitement.
It is weird, as a Surveyor that used the same equipment day after day that eventually turns into years, I kind of bonded with her (my 5603), I always refereed to her as my lady. Bonding with a piece of electronic equipment, ya right! We kind of had an understanding with each other, I treated her really well and she never let me down. I almost cried when I let her go. But now that I have used the new Carlson robot for a few weeks, there is no looking back now.
What is the data link between the Mesa2 and the CR2?
Does the Mesa2 come with long range bluetooth?
Any testing or notion of range?
Gary Hickman, post: 404424, member: 8049 wrote: It is weird, as a Surveyor that used the same equipment day after day that eventually turns into years, I kind of bonded with her (my 5603), I always refereed to her as my lady. Bonding with a piece of electronic equipment, ya right! We kind of had an understanding with each other, I treated her really well and she never let me down. I almost cried when I let her go. But now that I have used the new Carlson robot for a few weeks, there is no looking back now.
I always thought of my robot as a dog and envisioned me and him as the crackerjack boy n dog. I don't know why
Royevrus, post: 404458, member: 9544 wrote: What is the data link between the Mesa2 and the CR2?
Does the Mesa2 come with long range bluetooth?
Any testing or notion of range?
The Mesa2 is a Class I Bluetooth device and the CR2 uses a long-range Bluetooth handle, which is also a Class I device.
In our experience (coastal climate), communication between the two will reach approx 1,440 feet, with line-of-sight maintained. When communication is lost re-acquisition of the signal is quick and reliable, even at maximum range.
Royevrus, post: 404458, member: 9544 wrote: What is the data link between the Mesa2 and the CR2?
Does the Mesa2 come with long range bluetooth?
Any testing or notion of range?
Yes, all the Carlson robots communicate via long range bluetooth, and the Mesa2 has two internal bluetooth devices a short and long range. The short range bluetooth replaces the cables and the long range bluetooth is supposed to get me out to about a 1200' range. I've been out to about 1000' with no issues. Another awesome thing is the Mesa2 running Carlson SurvPC will run both the Carlson CR2 robot and my Carlosn BRx6 GNSS receiver (either as newtork rover or as Base & Rover) and is selectable with just one keystroke in the equipment menu.