To all you who are users in the GPS world.
I am new to using GPS in the real world. I have two Promark 2 units, which I have not used, and an X90 OPUS unit.
I have an option to buy a Promark 500.
My thinking is that I could use my cell phone (iphone) as a hot spot and have
real-time coordinates via the Oregon ORGN OCRS.
Would there be a real value to keeping my current units? Is there something I wouldn't be able to do with the 500 that I could with the others?
Most of my work is topo and boundary. IF I could, though, I would use the
Promark 500 to stake out dirt work.
Any thoughts, opinions, advice, or ?????? would be greatly appreciated.
thanx,
Geezer
A few things...
The main advantage in upgrading to the 500 is adding GNSS capabilities (GLONASS, Beidu, Etc.), but there aren't many RTN stations supporting GLONASS (yet) so there is not much upside there. You would need two 500s to use GLONASS with RTK.
http://www.ngs.noaa.gov/CORS_Map/ shows which NGS CORS supports GLONASS. If Oregon RTN uses other providers stations, like PBO, then further research Is needed.
Also, newer iPhones only support WPA2 Wi-Fi encryption, while most data collectors don't (TSC2/Ranger can only handle WPA/WEP and WILL NOT WORK). This is something you want to figure out so you are not stuck buying a different phone or hot-spot just to get RTN to work..
If all of your units are paid for I would keep them. It is always nice to have extra units available. You can always bring GPS vectors into a Least Squares Adjustment so those old promark units still have value in my opinion.
Adding a network receiver with ORGN capabilities would round out your tool box nicely.
I'll second what Kevin says. I would for sure keep the X90 unit. You can always set it up for a static point onsite. You can never have too much control.
ORGN is GPS only on when using a multibase solution. You can use GNSS on a single base solution.
This probably sounds greek to you, I know, but my advice to you is that you're kind of hooped either way: if you stick with your receivers, you'd be getting a better network solution with ORGN, and if you upgrade you wont be getting the most functionality out of your receiver.
Probably will sound like an oss, but I would sell the p2's while there is still someone who might buy them, or put them in the historical case with the chain to display to clients. Then check out JAVAD offerings. Or, other modern solutions. I think surveyors need to charge enough to be able to upgrade GPS equipment every 3 years at least. Otherwise, your average consumer is going to have better GPS capabilities than the surveyor.
But I'm a law guy, what the heccc do I know?
Add GPS Do Not Upgrade
With the ProMark 2s and the X90 you have he most affordable units for what they can do. Do not get rid of them.
Add the 500 because it does something different.
Put them all together just a few times and you will understand the word "Synergy".
Paul in PA