Has anyone experienced damage to the Topcon FC-2600 outer case due to the pole clamp being too tight? I have a crack in the case. This was discovered when the screen on the unit started to black out last month while working in some intense heat. The crew put the unit in the air conditioning, and within 30 minutes the screen returned. The next day it got worse. So, I then took it to the Topcon shop. They told me that the crack may have caused the screen issue. We told them to order the parts and to fix it. Now, 30 days later, the parts are in and the repair process revealed that they cannot connect to the Main CPU via USB. End of story. This adds up to a 1 year new data collector in the trash. I am disappointed in what was advertised as a tough product.
We also use a FC-2600 and I have noticed small cracks in the side casing where the bracket holds the controller in place. I'm not sure if its guys with gorilla hands or poor hardware.
I know I mentioned to the crews that there is no need to really ratchet down on these since they seem to sit in the holder pretty firmly without much tension being applied.
This product is made by the same bunch that made the Carlson Explores(sent mine back at least 4 times for screens and keyboards ) and had the FC2500 ( had to replace the screen after a year 1200.0) all were crapola . Start over and buy juniper system stuff or similar . Cut your loses . I would not put a dime into the units .
I hope I'm not jinxing myself but we have had decent luck with our FC-2500 and the 2600.
supposedly there is a new Panasonic Toughbook controller that Topcon is offering that runs full Windows. Looks like it might be worth checking out but I don't know anyone using this system.
I believe its a Toughpad FZ-M1
After breaking 2 Allegro Data Collector's in 1 day
I went with Getac PS336 with Long Range Bluetooth Cap.
Loaded Carlson SurvCE on it and never looked back.
They are great about transferring licenses over even
with a broken collector.
Tough as nails, no keyboard but small enough to put
in vest or large pocket every shot if working in heavy
brush. Battery lasts all day.
Somewhere around $1500 or so.
Has my vote.
