Anyone using one of these? Seems like it could be good "starter" GPS to get L1/L2 post processing/OPUS then later upgrade to RTK or for use in an RTN. The only drawback I've seen is that it's not listed on Carlson's page as a supported device for their data collector software. Maybe it's too new for Carlson to support.
I'm eventually going to have to upgrade my DC, and I'm trying to avoid these 'proprietary' data collectors that only work with one brand of equipment, which is why my next DC will probably be a Carlson product.
Hi TPR
The Topcon Hiper II appears to be the same receiver - different colour, different badge. So that's maybe an option if Topcon support is better in your area or you're already using Topcon software. Might be worth comparing specs and prices.
http://www.topconpositioning.com/products/gps/receivers/hiper-ii
You'll find quite a few online reviews of the GRX1.
Wierd. I'd never seen the Hiper 2 before. Sokkia has done that before, they used to sell grey Ashtech products as Sokkia. Thanks for posting that.
Carlson has support for both the Topcon and Sokkia versions of the hardware.
Good to know, it's not listed on the Carlson website.
http://carlsonsw.com/PL_survCE-requirements.htm
Do you happen to know if all units (and I'm just looking for something to log L1/L2 GPS for OPUS or Post Processing) have the data logging memory enabled? Or is that an OEF upgrade like with the Hiper Lites? I'm really looking to pick up an "OPUS" unit, that can be upgraded to an RTK/RTN Rover later.
Thanks
Pseudo,
You can download a product brochure here:
http://www.sokkia.com/Products/Detail/139.aspx
The units are built by Novatel, which also makes the GPS Boards for Leica (and others I have heard). Whether or not the new Topcon is EXACTLY the same unit, I don't know (but it's probably pretty close). I believe that Topcon acquired Sokkia recently, and Novatel has been owned by the same parent company that owns Leica for some time now.
Loyal
With the advent of the GR-3 receivers a few years ago, Topcon took a different approach to memory for static data on their GPS receivers. As with the GR-3, the HiPer II, GR-5 and Sokkia GRX-1 receivers have a slot for an SD RAM card and can accomodate cards of at least 2 Gb capacity, and perhaps they've bumped that up to 4 Gb now.
They do not include the card, but they are inexpensive these days.
The Sokkia GRX-1 or Topcon HiPer II can be purchased as a static unit. If you know that you'd use it as a network rover when you upgrade it to RTK, this unit wouldn't have a radio modem in it that you'd have no use for.
On the other hand, if you thought you'd go with a base/rover setup when you shift up to RTK, you could use the static receiver as a base by plugging an external radio into it. You'd have to activate the RTK capabilities on it but you would spend as much or more putting the radio board in the receiver than you would on a stronger external radio.
Thanks Jerry and Dan, you guys are the best.
Sokkia Topcon bought out Novatel's share of Point Inc in Sept 2009. The Sokkia Co., Ltd. corporate web site has been revamped to reflect Topcon's ownership and older information is not available. However the internet archive aka the wayback machine still has the announcement.
My read is that Novatel no longer supplies GPS products to Sokkia, just spare parts for service.
Point Inc's web site exists only to have links to Sokkia.
The "Wayback Machine" can be a useful source of information for older products that manufacturers have pulled from their current web sites or for manufacturers that have been absorbed, purchased or merged and no longer are around as a separate entity if they had a web site before disappearing.
