I am working part-time as a CAD technician, and I have been learning surveying practices at school. I have seen almost all surveyors using a data collector with a non-robotic total station, but I do not understand the reason behind it. I have been practicing?ÿwith Nikon?ÿNPL 322, and I see that I am able to record points, use COGO functions, etc. For stakeouts and corner settings, wouldn't it be easier using a laptop? Could someone explain what benefits a data collector add?
My data collector clamps to the leg of the tripod.
I haven't seen a laptop that would do that.
Generally speaking the data collectors are more robust (waterproof) construction, fit in your vest when not in use, and utilize the same software that the office workstation uses.?ÿ
Like every other tool in the toolbox, the data collector can be extremely handy when needed. ?ÿSome have become so dependent, however, that they would not be able to survey without it. ?ÿMuch like being unable to add angles in your head. ?ÿIt is simple to do, but it's a skill that goes away with lack of occasional use.
Maximizing one's ability to solve problems under varying conditions is a valuable asset in the long term. ?ÿSometimes out in the field we must be able to improvise.
A data collector is essentially a laptop but in a more functional box. My place of work uses Trimble equipment, specifically the TSC3 data collectors. As others have stated, they are better suited for use in the field than most laptops and are specifically designed to be used in tandem with other surveying equipment such as tripods and poles.
Now a days?ÿdata collectors are heading in the direction of tablets and laptops. The TSC7 that Trimble just announced looks more like a tablet with a physical keyboard attached and runs windows 10 operating system.
So in a sense, your thought is valid.
The base purpose of a 'data collector' is to log data from an instrument. Over time they have morphed to add functions like cogo.
Most would be more akin to a hand held computer than a laptop. As we see more terrestrial lidar and model based stakeout many are a ruggedized tablet or notebook.
The trend in newer data collectors is actually a ruggedized tablet.?ÿ This data collector format that you are probably using (TSC3 for example) is really something of a throwback.
The earliest data collectors - the earliest ones that accepted keyboard input from the surveyor/operator anyway - were often programmable calculators.?ÿ Then the "Husky" came along in the mid to late '90s. It was a DOS computer but still had something of a calculator layout. From their we went to the "Ranger"c.2000 . It was a lot like a Husky but ran a version of Windows. There have been many variations on the Ranger layout and incremental upgrades in performance, color screens, etc. Several manufacturers have come out with their own version but the apple hasn't fallen far from the tree.?ÿ
Why aren't they laptops??ÿ Mostly because ruggedized laptops were too expensive, too battery hungry (you were lucky to get an hour of run time back then), and much too bulky at the time the Husky/Ranger form was being developed 20-ish years ago. The battery part was probably the biggest reason. ?ÿ ?ÿ?ÿ
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It's a wholly valid argument that you are able to perform most, if not all, surveying functions, and the data collection, with the onboard software.
Right now you're using the Nikon NPL 322 with it's onboard software. The technology has progressed to the point that some manufacturers include most of their entire software suite internally. If you really like the utility of onboard software, you could take a look at Some of the Leica products that take full advantage of that trend.
If the question was why?ÿuse a data collector you're going to find a range of differing reasons.
I am working part-time as a CAD technician, and I have been learning surveying practices at school. I have seen almost all surveyors using a data collector with a non-robotic total station, but I do not understand the reason behind it. I have been practicing?ÿwith Nikon?ÿNPL 322, and I see that I am able to record points, use COGO functions, etc. For stakeouts and corner settings, wouldn't it be easier using a laptop? Could someone explain what benefits a data collector add?
When I first started out with Sokkia Set3x, I used to wonder why would anyone lug another piece of equipment in the field if I can use everything inbuilt. (Shall not go into robotics). The inbuilt SDR software, I thought was robust and easy to use. Was easy to upload and download points using CF card or USB. However as you do more than collecting points, like finding monuments and such, The Total Station can't load in Google Earth or see what I am picking up live as I measure. COGO wise, as long as you are used to the unit, it is up to personal preference. There were instances, I needed to take photo and using the data collector, I could snap a pic and link it to the point I measured.?ÿ
So, a external data collector is useful if you require to do more than just collecting points or setting out. Especially with newer rugged tablets with Windows 10. They are more than just a data collector, they are a 'full' fledged workstation. I am able to email and communicate with my office if I require additional information instantly without going back to the truck or finding a place with WIFI.?ÿ
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When I drop my laptop on concrete, it breaks.
Maybe I misunderstood the OP, but I thought he was asking why we don't use on board data collection then dump to a computer later...?ÿ?ÿ
Maybe I misunderstood the OP, but I thought he was asking why we don't use on board data collection then dump to a computer later...?ÿ?ÿ
You may well be right, in which case I say that trying to work in the cab of the truck with a total station on your lap is really inconvenient. And, with on board, you can't switch between TS and GPS in the same job.
Mark,
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Totally agree with that.?ÿ The IDEA of on board collection and manipulation is pretty sweet, but those limitations are huge.?ÿ
And another to add to the list is that you are punching buttons on the instrument and risk messing up your setup.?ÿ?ÿ
Andy
I would think one will need a "hardened" laptop to enable it to function for any meaningful time in the field.
I think the OP is right in general. I like the idea of on-board data collection at the gun. If any serious calculations need to be done, it's always easier on a laptop in CAD than on a data collector. I would still want CoGo functions of course on the total station, but for any intense work, I'd use a USB to copy the points on the TS to the laptop and work from there.
Since I work for a company that makes an on-board RTK system, which is similar to the on-board TS concept, we've discussed the plug and play issue several times. In most instances where I've mixed RTK and total station work, I will perform all of my RTK work first and then switch to total station (there are exceptions but generally this has been my experience). It only takes a few seconds to use a thumb drive to export points from one device and import them into another. It's not as fast as plug-and-play, but given that it may only happen once or twice in a day, it's not a significant impact on productivity. Furthermore, the freedom from an external device and the connection issues with the external device that can occur probably evens out the time spent using a thumb drive to move points between devices. Someday I expect that a TS and RTK system with integrated collection will better be able to simply sync up the data making plug-and-play irrelevant. One more thing that on-board allows is that the TS can be run at the same time that the RTK is being run instead of only being functional with the DC.?ÿ
Funny, we used onboard software for a long time and actually wondered why anyone would bother with collectors especially when there were wires to contend with. Apparently the onboard is much more common in Europe from what I understand.
We have used both Nikons and Topcons with onboard software that basically does all the same routines as the collectors. Not saying one is better than the other, just how we got used to working. We still have (3) Topcon OS-101 instruments that we still use once in a while but not as often anymore since the robots, but there are times they are very handy. It was nice only having to worry about one instrument and not the collector as well.
Obviously on-board doesn't work for robotic operation. Nor does it work for any other gizmo other than the one it's attached to (GPS). With on board, if you have to do any calcs you have to do them standing at the gun. And with bluetooth, there are no wires.?ÿ ?ÿ
Obviously on-board doesn't work for robotic operation. Nor does it work for any other gizmo other than the one it's attached to (GPS). With on board, if you have to do any calcs you have to do them standing at the gun. And with bluetooth, there are no wires.?ÿ ?ÿ
Not entirely true, granted my current Leica gear is getting a bit long in the tooth, so it may be different today, but the Leica guns including mine used to store ALL data on board the gun, the robotic controller was merely a wireless keyboard/display unit.
I prefer on board, copy the memory card to the laptop and do whatever you need there and then back onto the card and the instrument, be it GPS/TPS (sorry Leica speak).
Sure there are some simple things that are OK to do on board or even in a external DC, BUT really with laptops and ease/comfort of sitting in the the cab or the office it makes more sense to do that to me.
SHG
No doubt about that. Wires used to be more prevalent, not so much anymore but still see plenty of guys with older equipment using them.
Before we switched to the robots we had no issue using these instruments though and if we had to do some calcs we threw the gun on a tripod (well placed it on the tripod!)?ÿ
Again, we got very used to the setupand had no issue for a long time with them.
And here I am wondering why my data collection is not an app on my smartphone connected bluetooth to my instrument?
