Trimble Demo

Our company has both viva and trimble s8 and a vx unit, i fell like trimble is the superior unit but its all about what you are comfortable with. Over time you can build a code list as you work it will store to your feature table or build one fairly easy in the trimble business center s/w. What am seeing with both units is they are not very good with providing a detailed instructions for the data collector software. Its almost push the button and see what happens.

He should have demo'd the "measure codes" feature, rather than use "measure points".

It all comes down to what you're comfortable with. I prefer Trimble any day of the week.

Think You got a bad demo.
Using Measure Codes joins lines instantly and you start a new line by just hitting a + button to increment the string. If you like the other features ask for a different salesman to demo.

Does it really matter how good the equipment is if the dealer can't show/support what you need?

The Trimble forms lines using string numbers usually. You are also free to build codes eg ,n for new string. It works very well for what I need. I can setup codes in my office software for rectangular objects and curves. They don't display on the map on the logger though.

I am not very experienced with Leica Viva coding. It seemed to be very powerful and have many different options.
I would suggest that if you are setup using Leica coding at the moment then you will save a lot of time and effort by sticking with it.

As far as I can see the only major difference is Trimble's active target system. I think Leica may finally be releasing their answer to this soon.

Hi Squowse

What was your final opinion on the new trimble prism system you were demoing ? I am looking for a pair of active prisms and am waiting for some informative reviews before buying ?

Regards

Ah sorry, I did some tests on the vertical angle but I never downloaded the results for analysis.
I have on one trial again now.
There is an ebubble available on screen now. The AT360 is cheaper than the MT1000 and I don't see any downside to it (apart from turning the screw thread on top could release the battery compartment). I am unable to provide any evidence to support Trimble's description of the AT360 as "more accurate" without checking the results. I should really check the results I measured!

You got a bad demo, as others have pointed out. Offsets in particular are extremely simple with Access, you just hit the dropdown for Method and change it from Angles & Distance to whatever type of offset you need. I usually use Hz Angle Offset but in the Distance Offset screen you can choose any combination of in/out, left/right, and up/down and have them applied to a single measurement.

There's a lot to Trimble Access, and it's been my experience that most people aren't aware of much of it. For instance, there are some really useful custom report formats available on their web site. The documentation for Access is actually quite thorough; it's just that the data collector no longer comes with a printed copy, you have to go online and download it:

http://apps.trimbleaccess.com/help/en/TrimbleAccess=2015.10

Choose your version and language on the right and then download General Survey Help.

I wouldn't discount Leica yet, it sounds like they have something cooking and the HxGN conference is this week. I am sure the announcements will happen throughout the week.

I do a lot of engineering topos, mainly roads and existing buildings, I don't use field to finish , I use the " measure codes " and have set up 12 code panels with 12 codes per panel , broken down into different aspects of a typical engineering topo.

It is very productive and effective, you can find any code with two or 3 key strokes . An S6 robot can keep up with how fast you can code, the GPS rover not as fast .

I use software called model maker to add the patterns , draw the line work and build the dtm. The fact that the codes are all consistent makes it a lot easier .

Here is what my code page look like

One panel fills the screen at a time .

I used to run Leica on board coding on a tcr instrument and never found it as efficient as this .

HE DID DEMO THAT BUT IT SEEMED MOSTLY FOR RUNNING CROSS SECTIONS AND NOT LINEWORK FOR SOMETHING INTRICATE.

THANKS!

AH! that is true!

Interesting. I use a mumeric code system and have them all pretty much memorized. This does seem like the way to go for trimble.

We do not use a feature library on the dc, we just key in our alphanum codes. So we don't see our linework on the screen but we don't miss that. When doing lots of F2F daily for us that seems the fastest way.

We combine our code field with the Keyed in notes for entering additional constructions and texts.

There is an alternative way where you can display a code field and 2 note fields (descriptions) fot each point you shoot. (jobs|properties of job|Descriptions On)

Chr.

For sure, Trimble gives you a lot of options as to how to do things. I always tended to agree with your approach, but now we're making extensive use of attributes and so a good FXL is the way to go.

Hi Lee,

it also depends of the software you use for processing,
we like attributes in CAD but in ou final plans for the Flemish GIS we can not use attributes, all texts come in seperate layers.

When I started coding on the old TSCe I found using a feature library and attributes slowwd us down, that has probably changed with the new and faster TSC3.
But, I agree with (the other) Lee (Landman) that entering codes when doing topo with GPS is tricky because the Acces software on our TSC2's can't keep up with us and sometimes half a code has disapeared.

Chr.

Today Leica Geosystems announced the release of the MS60 and TS16 Self Learning Robotic Total Stations along with the new CS20 Data Collector running Leica Captivate Field Software.

The new Linework/Coding features within the Captivate software are revolutionary and go way beyond anything currently on the market.
More information should be available via Leicas website shortly.

Nice. I will keep checking!