We've got a Topcon GTS 802a robot w/TDS software and a Husky MP2500 data collector. We've been using it since 2000 with relatively few problems. Last week that changed. The Husky seems to take too long to get to the "quick-lock" window. Then when the 802 locks on, the Husky will not indicate "found" even though the 802 is on the prism and will follow it as well. But it will not download a shot. All batteries are fully charged. I dumped all programs from the Husky and started a new test program with just 2 points. Same problem. No support from TDS as they'd rather sell us a new one. There was one thing out of the ordinary we did just before the problem presented itself. I was filling in a large GPS job and started a new program with a couple of traverse stations numbered in the 2600 range. Did having points that high, with none lower, put some kind of glitch in the software? We thought it might be the radio batteries but they test out ok.
The last time I used a Husky was around 1999, so I'm accessing a very old part of my brain.....but isn't there something about continuous and non continuous point databases, the non-continuous never worked, but was always an option for some reason. Made the thing run super slow? Help me out here, guys.
If I remember correctly, starting a job with #2600 for example is fine but starting with #1 and then skipping to a high number like #2600 will cause your data file to be huge because it will reserve space for #2-#2599.
I remember having a similar problem with my 8023A and a Husky running C&G. Someone told me to clean the contacts on the handle. I cleaned the contacts and still had the problem intermittently. Try taking the handle off and putting it back on, leaving it just a little loose. That fixed the problem I was having.
Gary Watkins, post: 331170, member: 10333 wrote: We've got a Topcon GTS 802a robot w/TDS software and a Husky MP2500 data collector. We've been using it since 2000 with relatively few problems. Last week that changed. The Husky seems to take too long to get to the "quick-lock" window. Then when the 802 locks on, the Husky will not indicate "found" even though the 802 is on the prism and will follow it as well. But it will not download a shot. All batteries are fully charged. I dumped all programs from the Husky and started a new test program with just 2 points. Same problem. No support from TDS as they'd rather sell us a new one. There was one thing out of the ordinary we did just before the problem presented itself. I was filling in a large GPS job and started a new program with a couple of traverse stations numbered in the 2600 range. Did having points that high, with none lower, put some kind of glitch in the software? We thought it might be the radio batteries but they test out ok.
Don't think leaving a gap in the range of points is an issue. The TDS program in the MP 2500 then gives you two choices: expand file or change file into non-incremental. I just tossed my MP 2500 out in the trash after running it into the ground for more than 20 years of service. Got my money's worth out of it. That little whirring sound inside, hard to hear, is a disc and it has to go bad sometime, usually the sectors go bad. Time to give up the ghost on it. I learned the hard way, I paid a guy in Pennsylvania so much money to repair mine ( I can't say how much, it is too embarrassing, too incredible an amount, and shows what a poor businessman I am) He was able to crack the special TDS disc installation code using the original floppy discs on a Windows 95 PC and finally installed the TDS on one of his newer FS handhelds (better version of MP2500) there were still glitches in his specially designed operating system that ran the TDS program. I had to finally walk away from it all.
Get a an used Trimble Nomad with robotic Carlson 3.0 installed for about $700 or $800 and it will actually run your 802A just fine with your radios. And you won't have the radio interference you had with the MP2500 either.
