time to retool

Go out with a fellow surveyor, and work a day, in the field with rtk.

Learn a bit

N

>..... Will different manufacturers gear communicate with each other..?
Well, sort of. If you have a lot of patience and a willingness to tinker. I'm guessing that you will be happier with a matched set from a single manufacturer. Carlson SurvCE is probably your best bet if you insist on going this way. Microsurvey FieldGenius is also worth a look. Just make sure you test the software with the dc and equipment you intend to use it with before buying.

>....Is L1,L2 GPS enough or is Glonass & Galilaio upgradability a must now?
I think Glonass is worth it. Much better performance in marginal conditions with more satellites available. It will still be years before Galileo is operational.

>Will the newer robots work with TDS?
TDS doesn't really exist anymore. They do business under the Spectra Precision brand name now. But they do still sell Survey Pro.

I use survey pro with Topcon robots and GPS (hipers).. and they work fine.
But since they are two different companies, how ling they play nice together remains to be seen.

Most of the GPS receivers will work with "other" manufactured base stations. You need to match the radios. Yes, there will be some tinkering but this is a common practice especially working with different contractors on a job they run machine control.

As for Galileo, no. It will be 2020 before they are fully operational. A lot of the manufacturers, Trimble, Leica and Ashtech have already incorporated this and it is simply a code to unlock it if the need ever occurs.

As for looking around 5-7 year mark, bad idea in my opinion. The robots and GPS made now are twice as good, and efficient as those made back then. Yes, they had some good robots, most notably the Trimble 5600, but there's a lot of weight, a lot of batteries and a lot of cabling to go along with it all. If you decide to look into new equipment ask about promotional financing, almost all manufatuers have a zero percent option or long term, low interest. Remember this is an investment in your company, if the decision is half-assed so will be your results.

As for Survey Pro, it's still out there and exist under Spectra Precision. The new 5.xx versions have come a long way. I would recommend a Focus 30 Robot and a Promark 800 to use with this software. Being made under the same manufacturer we see great results. It's equivalent to the Trimble S3, better than the Topcon option. The Promark 800 is possibly the best GPs on the market, I don't care what anyone says. I have test results that support that opinion. Plus, coming from a Leica guy, you've got to believe me. (Lol).

Again, most important is service and support. Start there.

> After 20 years in the business. Its time to retool. I've been running a conventional Total station with a TDS ranger. ( .. I dont even use a robot) It is time to up grade to both GPS and a robot. I have some pretty basic questions ... Will different manufacturers gear communicate with each other.. i.e. will a say topcon or Sokkia rover work off a Trimble base if the radio frequencies are matched up.. Is L1,L2 GPS enough or is Glonass & Galilaio upgradability a must now? Will the newer robots work with TDS? I would like to keep the software familiar.I am thinking of trying to find some 5-7 year old gear to get started... any ideas on what would be most reliable from that time period would be good to know.
>
> Any good sources for gently used gear I dont want to spend 50K
> ANY suggestions and info is greatly appreciated
>
> Thank-you

I am running a Trimble R6-2 as my base and Trimble 5800 as my rover. This combo does not allow me to use glonass since the 5800 will not pick it up. When I am able to work off of another base that is R6-2 or higher, I'm able to use the R6-2 as the rover and can really tell the difference in the performance. I wish I had another R6-2 to run all the time.

The matching of the different brands of gps is not a big deal as long as you have your sales rep set it up for you and make sure the collector will handle them. I am running a TSC3 and have not seen much that it will not run.... with the exception of my total station ( Pentax n315). I Have my older TSC2 to run the total station. If I were to get a slightly used robot, I would look at the Sokkia SRX. I used it while at my previous firm, 5 years ago, and was amazed.

Radios- watch out for the newly illegal and cheaper radios that are running 25hz channel widths. It is my understanding that the FCC now requires that all the radios be 12.5 hz in width of signal. I have a HPB450 35W radio that works great as long as the feds don't get after me. I am trying my hand at setting up a base over IP using NTRIP with an old 5600/R7. I might have it figured out by Monday if my wife lets me disappear for that long.

Good luck,

............ If anyone knows of a "How To NTRIP" Manual, please let me know!

How to NTRIP

Do it your self NTRIP

Chr.

I got a Trimble S3 running TDS 2.5 years old with a nice price if you are interested.

How to NTRIP

Thanks Chris!,
I got my new base set up Saturday and finally got the settings right so that I was able to get fixed and running. I am going to be doing a few title surveys this morning and will be grinning from ear to ear because of the new toy factor that this brings to the table.

Galileo and COMPASS/BDS are already somewhat usable today (a couple extra SV's) if you have systems which track them. 2020 or sometime around then is when they will be fully deployed. If you are buying new make sure these are included now. Mixing brands will work, but your performance will never be as good as matched receivers due to inter-channel bias.
If you want interoperability look at SurvCE and FG.

Gimme a call. 870-356-3797

N