Florida surveyors running Trimble Access, with the right combination of hardware/software can very easily make use of available (for free) background 1 foot resolution aerial images on their controller screen.
I currently use a 12.3? Microsoft Surface tablet with Windows 10 Pro (1.7 lbs.), with a Verizon account, as my controller with Trimble Access version 2020. The tablet is protected by a MobileDemand rugged case assembly with a tempered glass screen protector. Total weight of tablet and protective case/cover is 2.7 lbs. (Trimble TSC7, specs list at 3.1 lbs.). A Ram X-Grip tablet holder (at 1.3 lbs.) holds the computer when attached to the pole.
In the field, I download Mr. Sid images (for free) from labins.org for any area of the state of Florida, that I am working in. However, before using the images in Access you will have to convert them to either .tif or .jpg files (with corresponding georeferencing files). To do this (i.e. convert from .sid to .tif) just download and install the free GeoViewer. Now, you're all set to enjoy the benefits of following your movements on an aerial image.
I have long had a TSC3 for heavy woods use, but for many jobs the larger screen is nice. Now, being able to see my movements on the aerial images on the larger screen size (we do not do scanning, so I have no idea what I would want for that kind of work) is awesome.
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NOTE:
This is not intended to get into a spitting contest with users/lovers of TSC7. I am absolutely, positively sure those are exceedingly lovely machines. Also, please note I do not suggest the above for working in the rain, even though it is fairly well sealed off.
.. yeah
For scanning with an SX10/SX12 or X7 that tablet would be perfect. The X7 package comes with a Trimble T100, which looks like a very nice 10" tablet; appears to be a major upgrade over the T10 but I haven't gotten my hands on one yet.
On a semi-related note, TBC 5.50 can now load ECW images as background maps.
Has anyone had any luck using WMS maps??ÿ The functionality is there, but I have yet to be able to get it to work.
I've abandoned SID for Google Earth images. Their quality is considerably better than the SID images that were available. Unfortunately I've not figured out to download a georeferenced and properly scaled Google Earth image and I have to go through an additional step with my CAD program. If you can get a Google Earth image into your tablet properly scaled and georeferenced I would purchase it ASAP.
TBC will do that.
Grab an image off Earth at highest resolution, then pick a few easily identifiable points within the frame. Copy/paste lats & longs, create those points in TBC, then import the image to TBC.
Use the Georeference Image tool with the points you just tagged to place the aerial, then use Capture Image to generate geoTIFF tiles for export to Access.
That's basically the process I use with my CAD program, but I have to have a point established to georeference it and there's a little rotation difference also. It's cheaper than a Trimble $5000 TBC program. The Carlson salesman showed me how to do it their program, but I'm to dumb to figure out how he did it.
How much do you dumb down the tifs, or do you use them at full strength (resolution)?
@fairleywell yes, WMS works well on TA on TSC7. It??s a matter of finding a source. Not all states (government agencies) provide aerial imagery in a WMS format. I searched a little and found no public WMS aerial imagery access for Florida.
Trimble Access 2021.10 is out and WMS map functionality is one of the listed improvements.?ÿ Other notable features:
User configurable stakeout display
MultiTilt point measurement method for GNSS
Layer Manager
When renaming a point that was shot in multiple faces, it prompts you to rename all pieces simultaneously.
Here's a link to the Release Notes - Trimble Access 2010.10?ÿfor those who are interested.
@oldpacer I convert the sid's to tif's at full resolution, then bring in the tif at full resolution and all the georeferencing is done automatically. Nothing to it.
@oldpacer I use them at full resolution. They have improved so much the clarity is amazing. My CAD program degrades the clarity somewhat, but they are still amazing.
MultiTilt point measurement method for GNSS
That is a great feature. I was having crews perform the equivalent of this method, using Topo or Rapid point methods, but it did require measuring and entering the same point three times, and averaging for the final position. Nice to see the process is now automated with MultiTilt.
@rover83 I've had a set of R12i's for a couple of weeks.?ÿ Already I've found myself sliding the rod through a 6' chain-link fence at a 45?ø angle in heavy woods to find a pin on the other side.?ÿ I'd have crossed the fence to get a better shot if the pin had been there but it's great for recon and those situations where there's just not another way to get the shot.
In testing out in the open I've tipped the rod to nearly 60?ø and still only seen an error of a 0.02' at the rod tip.
I guess Trimble listened to us grip about the feature not being reliable in the R10's. Do you still have to go through the calibration routines?
@skeeter1996 I had to calibrate the electronic bubble the first time I got it out of the box and not since then.?ÿ The IMU has to initialize each time you start it up, but it's automatic and typically I'll move the pole enough while attaching the DC and bipod for it to be initialized by the time I'm ready to work.
@rover83 reading the release notes, it??s for eBubble (not R12i IMU). Not sure why they spent time adding that when eBubble is near useless being affected by magnetic fields and a cumbersome rotating calibration required once or twice a month.
@stephen-ward I find more horizontal error than vertical error with Tip observations.