After years of using the TSC2 data collector with Survey-controller and the last two years running SurvCE, I sold my whole Trimble 5603 and TSC2 robotic set-up. Since I just bought a new Carlson CR2 Robotic Total Station, I was definitely staying with the Carlson SurvCE data collector software, My original thought was to buy the Carlson 2 data collector which is really a solid fast well built data collector with full keyboard. That changed pretty quickly when I demonstrated the brand new Mesa2 Windows 10 ruggidized tablet running SurvPC software. I was VERY impressed once I got my hands on it.

Following are some of my observations and comments about the Mesa2 after using it for a couple of months: 1) The screen size is huge for a data collector, about 9 1/2" diagonal across the screen, about 2 1/2 times bigger than the TSC2, 2) The Mesa2 is fast, loading DWG files, import and export are lightning fast. The is no lag time issuing commands and each routine seems to be blazing fast. 3) The screen clarity is superior to ANY data collector I've seen. 4) At first I was Leary of how the Mesa2 would carry on the prism pole, because it seemed as it would stick out further to the right side and have a tendency to be lopsided on the prism pole. To my great delight this is not the case (this may be the best thing about this data collector) the data collector comes with a funny looking clamping device that has two knuckles that will let you move the data collector to almost any position or slant, When I finally figured out that I could align the Mesa2 directly in front of, and snugged up against the prism rod, and slant the data collector at the best viewing angle. It is really at the most optimum position for a data collector to be at. Although the Mesa2 is about the same weight as the Surveyor 2, having the Mesa2 directly in front of the rod makes the weight perfectly centered, and it carries on the rod just right, and it seems to be safer to carry that having the data collector off to the right side. 5) The keyboard was another positive surprise for me. The virtual keyboard keys are huge and very easy to select. There are three modes to use the keyboard, first with a stylus, second with a finger and third a combination of stylus and finger. I actually prefer the finger mode, which makes it very easy to select keys, and for me is actually easier than an actual keyboard. 6) The SurvPC screen layout is awesome, larger menu keys and clearer map, more real estate on the screen which means more menus can be shown. Although the menu structure is very similar to SurvCE the SurvPC shows additional menus in various routines. 7) The Mesa2 accepts large capacity thumb drives as easily as a normal computer which is the way I prefer to transfer data back and forth to the office. 8) The Mesa2 accepts a large capacity SD card for storing additional files and pictures, etc. 9) The external battery last as long as any other data collector I have ever worked with, plus it has an internal battery and has the capacity to install a second battery if necessary. 10) The Mesa2 has a nice camera on the bottom of the data collector which makes it easy to take a picture of a monument or other object and utilize the new Carlson CRD format which allows for attaching pictures to points.

After using the Mesa2 for a couple of months, I am very impressed.