Hello All,
We are a small sized survey firm who has been using the old TDS Rangers & FC-2000 by Topcon (also using Civil 3d 2014). Moving forward, we plan on buying a new data collector from the following list:
Spectra Precision- Ranger 3 (with Survey Pro software)
Topcon FC-2600 (w/ Magnet Field software)
Surveyor+ by Carlson (w/ Carlson software)
Any thoughts on theses unit? (good or bad)
To start it off, we have been renting a Topcon FC-2600 and it has been freezing up on us randomly. It has also stopped working due to overheating(max operating temp is 120° F). We are not a fan of the Windows CE operating system either. It does produce Cut Sheets(txt file) but they are very shabby looking and far too time consuming to manipulate the data to our format. (excel)
I have a Topcon FC2500 and a new Ranger 3 and have used the Surveyor+.
Between the FC2500 and the Ranger 3, I love the FC2500 and would choose it over the Ranger any day. The FC2500 is a far better collector and more rugged. It is basically the same collector as the FC2600, only differences are it runs Topsurv and an older version of windows which prevents the ability to have Magnet installed (which I am completely ok with).
The Ranger 3 feels weak and the rubber flaps that cover the bottom ports is already falling apart (only 3 months old). It also must stay on the charger over night or else it dies completely and resets itself.
I would trade both for a Surveyor+ if it would work with my current setup. The times I have used the Carlson I was very impressed and I think SurvCE is the best data collection software available.
Have the best of both worlds and load SurvCE on your FC-2500 if SurvCE will run your equipment.
> Hello All,
>
> We are a small sized survey firm who has been using the old TDS Rangers & FC-2000 by Topcon (also using Civil 3d 2014). Moving forward, we plan on buying a new data collector from the following list:
>
> Spectra Precision- Ranger 3 (with Survey Pro software)
> Topcon FC-2600 (w/ Magnet Field software)
> Surveyor+ by Carlson (w/ Carlson software)
>
>
> Any thoughts on theses unit? (good or bad)
>
> To start it off, we have been renting a Topcon FC-2600 and it has been freezing up on us randomly. It has also stopped working due to overheating(max operating temp is 120° F). We are not a fan of the Windows CE operating system either. It does produce Cut Sheets(txt file) but they are very shabby looking and far too time consuming to manipulate the data to our format. (excel)
Just unboxed a TSC3 with Trimble ACCESS on it, ditto on the rubber flaps on the bottom... they may as well send half a dozen sets with the machine (if they even fit well to begin with, which I have faith, they will work out, by the time this one is no longer under warranty no doubt) 🙂
We've been using a TSC2 with Survey Pro and a Trimble S6 (not a "vision" unit). And we just loaded I believe 5.1.1 version on it and it slowed it wayyy down on some things. More graphic intensive, and we had to purchase Spectra Precision Survey Office to download files (not a fan of their cut sheets, a tad better than TDS DXM, but I had a format in DXM that worked) SPSO asbuilt report formater exports to Excel I noticed today on a parking lot stakeout.... if I had a decent Excel cutsheet template to use, I might try it someday...
Good luck on your new purchase!
I'll second that!
We bought a Topcon FC2500 instead of the Surveyor+.
That was about a year ago. We basically chose the Topcon because it was yellow and our dealer had one in stock and not the other one.
We use Carlson SurvCE, and really like it.
We too have lock up issues, and occasionally, the keyboard just stops working.
That brings me to why next time we will buy the Carlson product. When we couldn't figure out why the keyboard didn't work, we called Carlson, and they were helpful, but said it was Topcon's issue. Our dealer/Topcon said it was the third party software (Carlson).
In the end, it is a Topcon issue, and I have to run the setup program occasionally when the keyboard stops working.
Next time I want to just have one person to blame/call/whatever.
I've used a lot of different collectors:
TDS Ranger with Survey Pro
TSC2 with Survey Controller
TSC3 with Trimble Access
Carlson Explorer with Surv CE
Allegro with Surv CE
Leica RX1220 with Older Smartworx
Lecia Viva with new Smartworx
I think the TSC and Rangers are the nicest collectors. I would say Survey Pro was my favorite software, but I never used it to run GPS. I used Smartworx, survey controller, and trimble access for that. I also really like carlson SurvCE software as well. It's got a few glitches that bother me, but in general it is very easy to use.
Carlson Supervisor + SurveCE.
When I was still Ashtech Tech Support back a few years ago, we had a Husky FS2 customer that sent in their DC for a warranty repair, the repair center tech called me in to look at this FS/2 DC, under the illuminated magnifier lens, we could observe wood fibers from survey lath embedded in the glass lens on the Husky FS/2. Ellis Veatch always used to tell customers they could pound stakes with the Husky, I guess this customer forgot their hammer; nice try Mr Customer, I got to make the call-back, we repaired the FS/2 at their cost, B-)
I like the Allegro CX with Filed Genius and if I was going to replace, I would look at a Juniper System product again. The times that I have dealt with them, they have been good at support issues.
Their latest Mesa model is interesting and they made this statement at their website.
Like other Juniper Systems products, the Mesa provides a battery life that lasts all day (up to 16 hours), includes endless expansion opportunities, and is rugged enough to use as a wheel chock if the truck starts to roll.
:-S
> Maybe not the most important (or is it?) they all seem to be getting more fragile.
> My old Husky FS/2 was so solid you could just about pound hubs with it.
I have an old Huskey on my desk, just in case.
My biggest gripe is:
Most goot data collectors are not goot cogo boxes.
N
Thank you all for your input. The decision of which data collector to buy will point us in a specific direction for future equipment purchases, as the era of being able to mix-match equipment seems to be coming to an end.
So far we have tested the Topcon FC2600 with Magnet and Spectra Precision Ranger with Survey Pro, both the latest and greatest software. We are running robot, GPS and conventional. Neither of these data collectors are giving us a warm fuzzy feeling. In fact, it seems that our older data collectors are much more efficient.
We plan to test a Carlson(surveyor+) next. This group is definitely helping us with our decision. Thanks again!
We are currently using all Topcon instruments (2003 thru 2006). Does anyone know how compatible the Carlson or Ranger will be with brand new Robots or GPS from Topcon or other manufactures?
Also, what about Bluetooth connectivity? Also, what about integrated radio for Robotic? Any additional feedback is greatly appreciated. I will post our pros and cons of the three data collectors after we check out the Carlson product.
-FYS
Color screens that are hard to read in sunlight. Low contrast colors. Text too small.
Touch screens, not a fan.
