I love my TDS Ranger. I have a Topcon GPT 8203A robot and a Topcon Hiper Lite Plus base and rover. However, I am very concerned that since TDS got bot out by trimble they may not continue to support other brands, and I also hear that they now require a annual fee to keep up to date revisions and fixes. I have also noticed that most instrument brands are now coming out with their own proprietary controllers. Have any of you guys switched from TDS to another controller? I plan on keeping my current equipment for at least two more years and not sure what to do or expect. Just looking for some hopefully encouraging thoughts from your experiences. Thanks in advance. Posted from my HTC Droid Incredible.
Dump TDS
I am not married to my DC soft but
very satisfied with my hardware
Carlson SurCe Ver 2.41.1
New Allegro CX Ver 1.07a PIC 1.01 Logic 12
Geo 650 robot # 79 Firmware 696-03.08
Geo Radios @ 458.525 Mhz Ch 1
Sokkia Gsr1700Csx RTK L1 Two rovers, One base
post process soft Spectrum Ver 4.21 L1 dongle
Satel 3AS 1 watt, Stubby, 15cm, 30 cm GainFlex
Computer Hp Pavilion Core2 Quad
Vista 64
Nvidia Geforce 9500 GS 512mb Video Card
Autodesk C3D 2009 subscription stay here
BUT do not go down the road of crappy software (TDS) to suit your hardware
THERE is nothing cleaver about DC software
I am in the same boat right now with GOOD GEO robot GOOD sokkia/novatel gps
and crap Carlson
I have had little support from CARLSON other than the stock "have you tried the latest version"
Well good luck in you search
Peter K
Dump TDS
I got rid of TDS for the very reason you noted. I am using Carlson on collector and
Carlson suite on my desktop computer. Trimble is all about the charges. Carlson provides great support.
YTDS Ranger Users
You are correct Steve. I have always used TDS but now that they have been bought out by Trimble, the problems have surfaced with Topcon.
I fear Carlson, may also one day, head down the same path as TDS...but we'll see.
Joe
YTDS Ranger Users
I've migrated from TDS to TopSurv over the course of the last year. Learning curve wasn't much to speak of. Probably not using the software to it's highest use, but it works well with my Topcon 9003 robot.