Hey Trimble where is your answer to the Leica AP20 AutoPole ??

After using the R12i now for over 2 years with the IMU, which I believe takes GNSS to the next level, why can’t Trimble Access allow for a tilt compensated integrated survey? Trimble Access should be able to take the TS reading and apply the GNSS tilt compensation. This will utilize equipment I already have. This will also reduce the need to change rod heights as often since you can lean the pole to avoid obstacles.

I just got my AP20 so when I'm finally on job where I can use it I'll let you know how well it works.

As for your second post, I think you would need to have a dedicated IMU for the TS. For GNSS, the IMU gets is XYZ from the real-time data, no RTK fix equals no tilt. The AP20 gets its position from the TS via a separate Bluetooth connection.

This will also reduce the need to change rod heights as often since you can lean the pole to avoid obstacles.

We don't even use adjustable rods for GNSS work any more. It's just not necessary - with newer RTK engines, if you're not getting locked at ~5 feet, you're not going to get a fix by raising the rod a couple of feet.

We have 2m snap-lock poles for all GNSS work, and it doesn't slow us down in the slightest, especially with tilt compensation. Saves us even more time (and money) because we don't see rod busts with RTK anymore, unless the rod itself is broken.

I think you would need to have a dedicated IMU for the TS. For GNSS, the IMU gets is XYZ from the real-time data, no RTK fix equals no tilt.

I would think that tracking mode could make that work, since it's a continually updated position.

Trimble is pretty savvy about marketing (usually *cough*V10*cough*) and if they haven't brought something to the market, it's either because they don't think it would sell enough, or they haven't gotten their prototypes working well enough yet. They dump something like half a billion into R&D every year.

Last year at Dimensions they had a booth demonstrating wearable electroencephalography - attendees could try their hand (or rather mind) at racing slot cars by just thinking about it. While they're not the first to do that, it's pretty clear they are looking at every possible technology to advance their geospatial gear.

(FWIW, the AT360 prism does have a tilt sensor, but does not operate in the same way that the RTK+IMU does. Its main function is to provide the user with an eBubble on the collector screen.)

Isn’t the AP20 $10,000? I could see Trimble enabling tilt total station when you’re using R12i integrated surveying which is basically software and calculations no additional hardware.

The AP20 is, indeed, in the $10g range. And a bit over that.

For the record....

Yesterday, using Leica GS18 base/rover pair. Base set up over point and used rover with tilt to tie a check on the base point monument with a ±3second shot. Match 0.02' horizontal and about the same vertical. 20 satellites in view might have helped.

Then you would have to walk around with the R12 on top of your prism and it would only work in areas that you can get a RTK fix.

The AP20 with height, tilt and ID is $12,060 which includes the AP20, the GLS51 pole, the RH18 radio, 2 batteries and the cases.

Leica is running a deal right now that throw's in a AP20 pole in for free with the purchase of a TS.

I’m using integrated surveying nearly all the time anyways, and it’d be R12i not R12. And with R780 base I’m getting RTK fix every I’m working.

I'd rather get off the antiquated radio bandwagon for GPS corrections before a tilting prism. How hard could it be to add a sim card to receivers so we can go from receiver to cell tower to receiver.

There's already support for that in existing R10+ receivers, despite what some dealers (who want to sell you an RTK bridge for a lot more money than a SIM card and a static IP address) will tell you.

There are a lot of misconceptions and misinformation floating around about what certain gear can or cannot do. There are several posters on here who are actively using cellular corrections. It's been a while since I have done it, but there are still SIM card slots on the receivers and the WebUI to configure it.

There’s already support for that in existing R10+ receivers, despite what some dealers (who want to sell you an RTK bridge for a lot more money than a SIM card and a static IP address) will tell you.

Are you serious?! I have floated this idea straight to our dealer's face and they said absolutely nothing about this capability. 😠

Also, why aren't you using cell corrections anymore? Does it have a major drawback or something?

Trimble R10/12 receivers have a 3.5G modem, and 3G service has been discontinued in the USA. So an internal model isn't an option anymore.

True, 3.5G has been deprecated. Cell corrections work just fine with an external modem, which is still much less expensive than the bridge - it's the exact same setup, just with the modem outside rather than inside the receiver head. Only reason we're not currently running this setup is because I work for a corporate firm that is not too keen on customization or innovation. Out-of-the-box solutions only...and I'm busy enough these days too.

"Cell corrections work just fine with an external modem, which is still much less expensive than the bridge – it’s the exact same setup, just with the modem outside rather than inside the receiver head."

I've been doing this with my Javad system since 2016. I use a Verizon Jetpack at the base, and my phone as a WiFi hotspot at the rover. It works great.