We are looking at upgrading our GPS setup. Currently we have a Trimble 5800 setup but we are looking for something that is a little better at picking up satellites. We run all Trimble Equipment and have a great local dealer who has loaned us a R6 Model 4 Base/Rover Setup to demo and the field crews have loved them. Because of this i am definitely leaning towards the Trimble setup. However, before we commit, would just like to know what some other options are from you guys with experience with other brands. We will primarily be using them for boundary and initial construction layout. We tried the network only rover as well, but due to somewhat limited cell service in our area plus the network fees we would like to go with the base/rover setup.
I guess i should mention if anyone would be interested in a 5800 setup let me know.
Thanks,
I have experience with Trimble and Lecia and like them both. One dealer was an hour away and the other 2 hours and both would give great service. We choose the one an hour away, just because it was more convenient for us to pick up spare cables and rental equipment.
I think the decision should be based upon the dealer as much as the brand of equipment.
If you are also using Trimble total stations and Trimble Access, and are happy with your Trimble dealer, you should stick with Trimble. Mixing brands is not a good idea, IMO.
If you were looking to shift your whole system I might suggest you have a long look at the Leica GS14.
Are you planning on utilizing a separate base radio, or the internal radios of whatever receiver units you decide? If you are from a Trimble equipment background, then that would likely be the most seamless transition. However, the "Blue" Trimble products aka Spectra Precision, have a great option for base/rover system with the SP80 units. They have a 2W internal radio that can reach out and make work happen. I've seen a few of them in this area, and they gain nothing but praises. The SP80 would be operated with "Survey Pro" field software.
Thanks for the quick input guys. The units we demoed have internal radios that we plan to utilize. We had the external radio on our 5800 setup. We typically are not doing large spread out projects so i think we will be ok using the internal. I believe these are 2 watt as well. Pricing is +/- 23,000 for the two units which i believe is a pretty good deal (supposedly trimble is running a discount on this setup right now). We will utilize one of our tsc3's with access to operate as well as our tripod so that is not included in the quote. The dealer we use has been great to work with over the years so it probably does make perfect sense to keep using them and the trimble products. I just want to make sure im not missing out on some great new product from someone else that im not aware of.
If I were going to buy a NEW GPS system, base-rover-radio.
I'd buy ANOTHER Javad.
🙂
Then, I'd have two of them!
N
bjbjl6, post: 370868, member: 8071 wrote: Thanks for the quick input guys. The units we demoed have internal radios that we plan to utilize. We had the external radio on our 5800 setup. We typically are not doing large spread out projects so i think we will be ok using the internal. I believe these are 2 watt as well. Pricing is +/- 23,000 for the two units which i believe is a pretty good deal (supposedly trimble is running a discount on this setup right now). We will utilize one of our tsc3's with access to operate as well as our tripod so that is not included in the quote. The dealer we use has been great to work with over the years so it probably does make perfect sense to keep using them and the trimble products. I just want to make sure im not missing out on some great new product from someone else that im not aware of.
A good dealer is a great asset. Support is a valuable thing to have available locally, and getting them to answer the phone is nearly priceless. If your local dealer is on par, I certainly support spending locally. To purchase a base/rover setup at the aforementioned price would seem to be a terrific deal. Also, staying with the familiar software platform would avoid any down time due to learning curves. I am nearly certain however, that the R6 units share the same internal radio of the R8. Those are a 0.5W internal radio that don't use nearly as much battery power, and are quite effective for smaller sites.
Trimble R84 with R10 rover. I have R8s but haven't got mitts on an R10 yet. We mothballed our 5800s once we got R8s, we were late to GNSS table. Only a couple years ago. But I have no idea how we lived with 6 satellites!
Try IGAGE. I have a pair of X91 they compare with the Trimble R10s for 1/2" the price. Talk to Mark Silver with IGAGE in Uath
I am a big fan of weighing local support when making a big purchase. If your Trimble guys are good to deal with, stick with Trimble.
Option 1
A pair of r8 or r8-lt, would be perfect for your planned usage.
However;
Option2, and I would see about having your dealer swing by to demo, would be r10's. The possible advantage of r10's is the ability to continue to collect decent data for a few minutes after losing cel signal in the event of spotty coverage. So if your cel coverage is 'spotty' rather than completely absent, the r10's, while more expensive, might be a viable option.
The R10's also have the ability to perform in a pseudo-VRS manner using Trimble's subscription (no cel phone required), but the 'claimed' accuracy is 4cm, which in my experience would translate into about 0.4' in real world. Not useable for me, but perhaps for some.
I use a Javad Triumph 2 base and a Triumph LS rover with 35 watt radio and couldn't be happier.
Full disclosure: I do offer sales and support for Javad. However, I use the Javad system every day in my survey practice.
I just upgraded from a 4800 base - 5700 rover to a used R8-2 base and R8-3 rover with the TSC3.
Wow, what a difference a decade or two in technology makes!! 😀
Brian Allen, post: 371181, member: 1333 wrote: I just upgraded from a 4800 base - 5700 rover to a used R8-2 base and R8-3 rover with the TSC3.
Wow, what a difference a decade or two in technology makes!! 😀
Indeed a few years makes a large impact on this technology. It's unfortunate, but your current setup R82/3 is already a bit "dated" as far as Trimble goes. I think this is the last year you can get an extended warranty for the R8-3, and the R8-2 is limited to firmware version 4.64 if I am remembering correctly. The R8-3 is upgrade able to 5.10.
D. Duren, post: 371259, member: 11665 wrote: Indeed a few years makes a large impact on this technology. It's unfortunate, but your current setup R82/3 is already a bit "dated" as far as Trimble goes. I think this is the last year you can get an extended warranty for the R8-3, and the R8-2 is limited to firmware version 4.64 if I am remembering correctly. The R8-3 is upgrade able to 5.10.
I know it is a bit dated, but the $$ was a big consideration.
Have you seen this?
[MEDIA=youtube]q56Cdt3Dq4A[/MEDIA]
It's what has the Javad Crowd jumping up and down.
It is a revolution in surveying procedure. It is a very important piece in the history of surveying, that will leave a forever mark on Land Surveying procedure as we know it.
And I like it.
And, it's fun.
N
