As a partner in a new start-up survey company, we had to buy all new computers and equipment.
We stuck with Trimble GPS because we were used to it. We bought all new computers with windows 7.
And with out realizing it, we didn't build Bluetooth into our machines ( I mistakenly assumed Bluetooth was a STANDARD these days, silly me, it's not as common as I would have believed). So now we can't talk with our R8 to download static. Apparently my partner was able to talk with the unit with a hard wire 9-pin to use GPS configure to establish static logging capabilities, but this does not work for Trimble data transfer. We bought an after market Bluetooth dongle and I can setup the new R8 connection and can get a Bluetooth connection with it but Trimble data transfer doesn't recognize it.
Uuugh!
The Trimble rep has been very unresponsive and has been out if town for a while.
This is a big problem. We have a large helicopter static job on Unalaska island starting in a few days.
At my old company, our windows XP machines handled this seamlessly.
Any suggestions?
P.S. this was written from my iPhone on my first day off, at home from the bush, in over 2 weeks.
Correction: I'm not at home, I'm soaking up the rays on the deck of midnight sun brewery. So much nicer than dry villages in the bush.
AK surveyor
You should be able to connect via data transfer. You need to set up a new device specifically for the R8 head. Unfortunately I can't remember the settings off the top of my head.
I'm sure that you can hook that R8 up to your data collector, transfer the static data to the dc, then download it your from your dc. It's been a couple of years now since I last used a Trimble, but that is how we did it.
If you think that bluetooth would do the trick you can get a USB thumb drive sized bluetooth adaptor.
Norman's got your answer. Connect to the receiver with your data collector. Go to instrument, then receiver files, check the files, import to dc, then import off of dc.
Hi,
we ran into a similar situation with our 5800 a long while ago ...
If I remember well we had to install some drivers and ini files that were located on the CDRom that came with the 5800. These files updated the Trimble Data drivers with the apropriate items for the 5800.
hope this helps,
Christof.
Get a 9 pin to USB connector, rename a USB port Com 1 or whatever you want, and download that way. That's how we do it and it works VERY well.
AKSurveyor..
Looks like you have good advice on the downloading thing. On your recovery from the bush, start off with the IPA's then work your way up from there. From what I can remember, Glacier Bay in Anchorage had a great IPA.
Pablo B-)
I have always found downloading the R8 over BT to be problematic, at least the few times I tried to do it on my laptop. I always got it to work, but after a few minutes of struggle. That was when I had forgotten the download cable.
My laptop has a serial port, desktop does not. I use a USB to RS-232 converter cable for the desktop. Once it is setup in data transfer, it should be no problem.
Also note that besides the lemo-to 9 pin you can also use a standard serial (9 pin to 9 pin) on the other R8 port. Those cable can be found easily at radio shack.
Thanks everyone!
I got the 9-pin to work. The only issue is that our laptops do not have that port, but the laptop docking station does.
I will try the DC download so that I have that as an option in the field. I know you can log directly to the DC, but that does little good when you have 5 or 6 burning once.
I have to admit that I felt much better last night after I got one of the Midnight Sun Lost Angel Belgian Strong Ales in me...or maybe it was the third.
That is how we do it too.
Just transfer the file form the receiver to the data collector. Then transfer all files to PC via USB cable.
Just a reminder to remove the old static files periodically from the receiver b/c it will fill up quick.