Hello!
First post here, but I've been wanting to join a surveying forum for a few months now. I just started a job at a surveying company on the East Coast and am trying to learn as much as I can.
Currently, my company has me set on the task of finding inexpensive alternatives to our current hardware/software setup. We have our own NTRIP network setup and we take points in the field specifically for elevations using an RTK setup.
We are currently using Topcon GRS-1 handhelds loaded with Pocket 3D software. We are connecting these to Topcon Antennas (cannot remember the model) and using 3D Office for our desktop software.
As anyone who has used Topcon products will know, this is a pretty expensive setup!
What I am currently looking into is running a user friendly surveying software on a consumer level Windows 8.1 tablet (with a tough case) that can connect to an antenna via bluetooth and send data through email via SIM card network access (avoiding mobile hotspots because our technicians would lose them in a matter of days).
I am interested in hearing of other's setups and what they use to take points in the field? We need to buy multiples so the less expensive the better!
Also of note, our elevations need to be within 1-2cm. I've seen a lot of people praising software for only being a foot off even while using an antenna. A foot O.O that's a lot of variance!
One more thing: whatever software we get, we'll need to be able to import linework and surfaces as well as localize to preset points (this will bring down the variance). Will have to get cut/fill measurements from point to surface as well.
Thank you for taking the time to read! I look forward to any responses.
Hmmm... Can you define "less expensive"? And how many units do you refer to as "multiple"? 3 or 30? Would a manufacturer lease be feasible or do you have to buy?
1-2 cm of accuracy is going to be costly... The GRS-1 units that you're using are rated for less than 5 cm (not sure I'd believe it to be that accurate!). I can almost assure you that you won't get more accuracy out of a unit that's cheaper or as affordable as the GRS-1.
The solution that we use is a Leica GS15 Receiver operated by a CS15 Field Controller connected to an RTN. I wasn't here when they were acquired but I think you're looking at around $15,000-20,000 or so per unit unless I'm way off base.
I've got the Trimble price sheet in front of me right now and the R10 Receiver and the TSC3 Field Controller total about $29,000 give or take the variety of options available.
I think I've heard here that people are running Topcon Magnet software on alternative devices with good results. And Trimble told us that their software will also run on other devices now.
Well at the moment we are going to need around 6 units, but our company is expanding so I'm sure we'll need to continue buying more in the future.
As I mentioned near the end of the original post, we localize our machines to control points located on site. With the GRS-1 units this brings our vertical accuracy within 1cm of check points that we've got set around the site. I'm not a field tech but I'm pretty sure the control/check points are set up using very expensive/accurate units.
Our entire GRS-1 setup antenna/software/handheld and all costs us between $16000 and $20000.
We just got GeoMax kit containing a Getac PS236 handheld, GeoMax Zenith20 Antenna, and FieldGenius 7 software for about $6,000. After about three weeks of setup (no instructions provided, extensive phonecalls with unhelpful tech support, UGH!) we were able to get this unit working and taking points in the field accurate to 2cm when localized.
Although 2cm variance is acceptable by our engineers, we are looking for a different option. Mostly because FieldGenius is very buggy and I believe we can get better software/hardware elsewhere for cheaper.
So I guess what I'm wondering is.. as long as you can localize to control points, is accuracy dependent on the type of handheld you have? Wouldn't the only things that really matter be the antenna and software?
Forgive me if at any point I don't make sense, I've only been working with this company for a month and before this I had absolutely zero interaction with this type of work.
Whatever they claim about the accuracy, add extra for real life situation, so 1 cm becomes 3 cm's.
Don't go cheap on gear, the payback is better in the long run by investing in solid equipment. The quality of work life too. Good luck.
Anyway, your new at this, so tell your employer to help you out with support. Quite a bit of a decision to make for a newbie, no offense.
First off, make sure you keep mapping grade GPS separate from survey grade GPS. You gave a spec of 1 to 2 CM, that's survey grade and I'm not sure you can get by for a lot less money than you have been spending. I googled the stuff you got for $6000 and while I'm not sure, I don't think its survey grade but mapping grade. With mapping grade equipment, there are times it might appear you are getting accuracy to a couple of centimeters, I don't think you can count on it, more like a decimeter accuracy or worse.
As far as software goes, is you company using some kind of drafting software? If you guys are using Civil 3D, Carlson, Microstation or some other kind of high end drafting software you don't need much more. Those softwares will handled the points and the downloading etc. For example our Topcon GPS came with some very basic software for getting the points out of the data collector and then Civil 3D takes it from there. I believe the software all came free as part of the GPS equipment.
After about three weeks of setup (no instructions provided, extensive phonecalls with unhelpful tech support, UGH!) we were able to get this unit working and taking points in the field accurate to 2cm when localized.
I don't know about where you work, but here $6K plus three wasted weeks would just about pay for the first two R10/TSC3 setups.
You can get a Triumph LS network rover for 13K. It is worth taking a look at. 3 year warranty and free customer support from surveyors actually using the equipment.
Matt
