Into a data collector?
Somehow, I think if it were done right, it would mop up the data collector market.
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At the last Carlson demo I attended, it was hinted that there is something in the works (GPS only)
A Droid would be another platform.
The bluetooth range of a phone is only about 33 feet that would need some improving.
Great timing; I was just griping to my equipment supplier yesterday while taking delivery of another new Carlson Surveyor+. Don't get me wrong SurvCE is a good package but Windows Mobile should be renamed Windows Blow-bile. Sluggish, freeze-happy and not a real standout in the battery life department.
I told him sooner or later someone is going to port their software to iOS and it will be game over. I don't need any more $5k data collectors capable of being drug behind a pickup truck when I can go through $600 ipad mini's like candy with the right software. Not to mention the much improved platform stability etc.
The new tablets like the supervisors and tesla's were a step in the right direction but all are overkill IMO. The whole concept of sharing data with the field is so nice with the ipad already. We email files directly to and from the field, video chat, share images, PDF's, view/edit ArcGIS maps and access CAD files on them already, may as well add data collection...
I'm sure they won't be the best tool for every single application but they sure would cover a large percentage of uses at a much lower cost. For those of us that already have them in use in the field the only extra cost would be the app itself; but that's not a good business model for most surveying equipment companies is it? 😛
I would be concerned about durability, however check out the Foresters they think it is a usable platform.
T.W.
They are pretty durable with the right case. I only have basic Otterboxes on my mini's and they are in the field 5 days a week 40+hrs and haven't had to replace one yet out of the 5 I have out there. (I found some wood to knock on!)
I'm sure even better cases could be engineered for a fraction of the price of a data collector though. Battery would be the next concern but from what I've seen they are stout. My guys leave the wireless hotspot on all day, take pictures of features on GIS projects and sites and come back in with ~35% battery life on average. That is while running the units GPS the whole day for use in ArcGIS Online as well as my tracking crew locations.
I think battery life would be the issue. Our company needs something that can last 15-16 hours a day of continuous use. Only thing we have found that stands up is the Leica CS15 and Trimble TSC3.
Have been testing Carlson Field on a new panasonic ToughPad tablet, pretty inpressive.
That's the same package that we have been using for several years. There are a few "bumps" that we are working with Carlson to smooth out. They are VERY good at such support.
Another interesting option is SurvPC. That looks like it may have some advantages over our current system. We are going to look at it in depth in a few weeks.
Once you get Carlson Field fully interfaced with Carlson Survey in the office, you have one powerful setup that is easy to use and reduces you office time and increases profits proportionally.
The iphone/ipad won't hook to any GPS or total stations or robots since its bluetooth doesn't suppoort serial port profile (SPP), so its not very good for surveyors. SPP doesn't require a cable, even though it has serial port in the name. This explains why there are no apps already doing this. Maybe if enough people ask Apple for SPP support they will add it someday.
Android works great for this, so I expect to see lots of new apps for those phones and tablets.
The technology is out there already. Problem is there isn't a manufacturer that is going to touch it. Why would they? Right now the manufacturer can sell you both software and hardware. If they go to Iphones or Droids, it becomes a software thing only. Add to the fact that they would be paying a premium to Apple or Google Stores...double whammy. I am right on board with you...it needs to be don, I think it is WAY off in the future.
That being said, Spectra Precision just introduced a T-41 Data Collector that is on a Windows phone (manufactured by Juno). Although it is a little thicker, it is freaking small and really easy to use. I like the fact that no stylus is required, the front glass is gorilla glass and that they still put a pogo port on the bottom that you can attach is 9-pin adapter to. Check it out.
