I'm learning how to use my TSC3 with Trimble Access 2012 (I've been using an HP 48 with TDS Survey Pro for years) and was hoping some of the Trimble experts out there can help with some questions.
I have an R6-2 network rover and a Nikon NPL332 total station.
(1)
For simplicity I've done my first few jobs using grid coordinates. Is there a way to get the data collector to give me the combined scale factor that it automatically computes? When I import my coordinate file into C&G Survey 7 I have to compute my own CSF (which is not a big deal) and the distances are very close but not exactly the same (maybe a 1/100th difference between the ground distance I compute versus using the COGO function in the data collector that is set to give ground distances).
(2)
In the old HP 48 I could go to Traverse/Side Shot and just punch the traverse button to measure and (electronically) move to the next point. Is there a similar function in Trimble Access? Right now I've been going through a station setup (using two points that I've tied in with GNSS) and then selecting the Measure Topo option. I take my side shots and then shoot my next traverse point but then have to back out and go through the station setup again to occupy that next traverse point. There must be a better way to do this.
(3)
If I wanted to use my own ground-distance coordinate system (start at the standard N:5000,E:5000), what is the best way to do it? I've read the manual and the section on "Ground Coordinate System" says I need to key in a project height so that the data collector can compute a scale factor. The option of "No Projection/No Datum" says an autonomous height can be collected from the rover but that GNSS measurements are stored as WGS84 coordinates and total station measurements are stored as null coordinates (it sounds like conventional coordinates are not even computed - maybe those angles/distances are just stored in a raw data file for later use?). Is there a way to get the rover to give an autonomous height for "Ground Coordinate System" so that I don't have to estimate it?
(4)
If I want to use a ground coordinate system do I need to be doing a Site Calibration? If so, can you give a quick run-down on that topic?
Thanks in advance for your help!
(1) I've mostly used it as a local sf=1 DC so I'm not familiar with the behavior in SPC jobs. Now that we have Trimble GNSS I will encounter this more.
(2) no, there is no traverse mode that I know of. I never used that in TDS but I grew up on SDR. I always do rounds when traversing which was called set collection in TDS. Unlike TDS you can collect more than foresight at a time.
(3) set up your job in scale factor=1.00000000, then in the setup screen enter your point number, if that point is not in there it will automatically let you enter the code and coordinates. On the backsight screen you can enter either an azimuth, which is what I always do unless I uploaded coordinates. Access automatically computes coordinates for your first BS, you don't have to collect it as a BS and FS like TDS.
I think it's better to not import coordinates into the job, just use a linked file at least if you're using TBC. This way you don't get another set of points every time you download but I haven't tried it yet.
jwdenny,
send me an e-mail and I will respond with my phone #
I run a network R8 rover with Trimble Survey Controller for my own use, but lately, have been using a TSC3 and Trimble Access.
I might be able to help.
as regards 2)
it sounds a handy feature in TDS. In access you must "end conventional survey" and start again for each set-up. It's not as bad as it sounds but I would have thought they could provide a "end survey and start new survey" option in one button push.
I only discovered this a few weeks ago, but you can streamline the button pushing a little bit when traversing -
When in station setup (or setup plus), under "options" you will find options for default point names and instrument/target heights. You can set these to "traverse" and "go forward" and it will provide the correct point name and height each time.
Your questions about coordinates and coordinate systems are a little much to address in the forum; feel free to e-mail me specific questions at ldrennan at mphinc dot com. Regarding a Traverse Mode, as is noted above, you can set this under Options in the Station Setup - under Default Point Names select Traversing and under Default Height select Move Forward (optional).
No Projection/No Datum is exactly that - the data collector doesn't calculate any grid or ground coordinates. You should use Scale Factor Only when starting out with the total station.
When starting with the GPS it's a little more complicated... my recommendation is to always work in State Plane; if you really need ground coordinates then go to Page 2 of the coordinate system setup and change from Grid to Ground. You may then enter a scale factor or have it base the scale factor on a point in the project; you can also truncate the coordinates so they don't look like SPCS.
Edit - Unfortunately it's not as simple as entering a point number; you have to type in the lat, long, and height. You can view those in Point Manager and toggle back & forth between PM and Job Properties.
> (4)
> If I want to use a ground coordinate system do I need to be doing a Site Calibration? If so, can you give a quick run-down on that topic?
This is a very frustrating part of Trimble's software, be prepared that it is not very clear.
Yes, you can use ground, no you do not want to do a site calibration (unless you truly have local system that is not tied to a known coordinate system).
You can work with ground by setting the project up, such a state plane, and then say you want to use a ground scale factor. It asks you what your scaling point is and wants geographic coordinates, this is kind of tricky. What you want to do is compute the lat/long of coordinate 0,0 and enter that coordinate as the scaling reference point (or use a center point, however you prefer).
The pain of this is that Access will continue to call these grid coordinates, even though they're grid brought to ground. :pissed:
