I work for an old time surveyor who books all the field data and manually keys it into Carlson ServCad so I know nothing about data collectors (but I do know about data recording and mis-keying errors). His arguments against them are 1)cost and 2) takes longer to key codes and descriptions than to write down the data. I’ve been looking for an instrument and a used Trimble M3 could fit my needs since it has on-board data capture eliminating the cost of a separate collector. Carlson does support the Nikon format, but I don’t know whether that works if the codes are left blank. Does anyone with M3 experience know whether it’s possible or practical to just enter point numbers and descriptions without having to also key the codes and whatever else is needed for field to finish processing? I can’t tell by just reading the downloaded user manual. Also what are the advantages/disadvantages of the older small display instruments versus the newer touch screen instruments?
It depends on which version of the M3 you're referring to. The original M3 was basically just a Nikon gun (the 300 series) painted yellow; the data collection is fairly cumbersome and weak and there's no Bluetooth as I recall. The second generation is Windows based and runs a stripped down version of Trimble Access; if you're familiar with Trimble field software it's a breeze to run it. I really wish Trimble had called the second generation M3 something else, because the two guns are completely different in every regard.
There are numerous advantages to the newer guns with touch screens - they run on a Windows platform; they're more versatile and powerful as a result. The screens are large, easy to see, and are (obviously) touch screens. The touch screen guns like the M3 and Nivo C have USB ports (you can stick a thumb drive in them to transfer files), Bluetooth, and probably even WiFi although I'm not sure on that.
Any M3 can output Nikon formatted data to the port (or to Bluetooth on the newer guns) - a Carlson data collector will have no problem whatsoever connecting to it.
The only possible downside I can see to the touch screen guns is that in the event of a screen failure you're going to be spending some $$$ on the repair. But if I was going to get a non-robotic instrument for day-to-day use and didn't want/need a data collector, I'd take an M3 in a heartbeat (or a Nivo C if you prefer Survey Pro over Access - they did a really great job of adapting Survey Pro to the gun).
I am not sure what version of Carlson you have.
Under "Tools/Data Collectors/Nikon/..." you should be able to find what you want.
Field to finish is also an option that you decide to use or not to use.
I can't believe anyone is still not using a data collector. Add up the amount of time it takes to write down the measurement and enter it into the computer and compare that to the amount of time to type a 2-3 letter abbreviation. You can come up with a list of abbreviated descriptions and pre-load them onto the collector and then pick them from a drop down instead of typing. Buy a used data collector for $500 and see if you can prove how much more useful it is.
I'm not sure what you mean by codes and descriptions. Aren't they the same thing? Unless you are talking about Leica, then there are two possible fields. Based on the other things you mentioned I have eliminated line-coding as a possibility.
By using the data collector you will also have the ability to field calculate coordinate geometry right on the collector from data you have just picked up. You can also view the map screen to see if your topo in the woods is dense enough for example. It provides a huge advantage in my opinion.
I also have always preferred having a separate collector. That was one thing I did not like about the older Leica robots where the remote just controlled data on the gun. I couldn't just have the collector with me in the truck on the way to a job entering and calculating data. The gun had to be on and connected via radio link.
The portability of data with a data collector is an undeniable attraction. The new guns like the M3 are really nice to use but it makes crunching numbers in the truck a little tough.
I do not see how anyone could be competitive in today's survey world without using data collectors.
There are tons of used data collectors out there for under $1000, and many older Rangers on the $500 or less range. After you use it for a week to two, you will wonder how you ever got by without it. You export an ascii txt file, and your points are plotted in a matter of seconds, as opposed to the time it takes to manually key in the data.
I am not criticizing, but trying to explain the advantages. I am not sure where you are located. If you are anywhere near the West Tennessee area, I would be willing to show you a few tips on getting you started.
Good luck. You are in the right place. This forum is a wealth of information.
:good: :good: :good:
I too was not trying to be critical, but you have to get a data collector. It makes everything so much easier and faster that it would pay for itself in a week.
Data Collector for GPS uses.
The rest, I'm an Ol' *hart as my cadastral work is open to a lot of intricacies and I have to draw an outline that looks like the final plan/sketch/drawing as what I do may/does end up in front of 'learned persons' with 'the other side' having pesky questions.
And, my pencil has yet to crash or run out of battery power.
Omphaloskeptically yours,
Derek
We have a brand new 2014 M3. The onboard data collector is a full blown Trimble Access controller. It has all the same options as our TSC3 that runs our S6 and 8. It also has a touch screen or full keyboard. You can do everything on it that you would ever need plus it is reflectorless and you can run an external data collector if you want. It is a 3" model.
I love it. it is the one I prefer to use out of our arsenal of 5600, S6, S8 and M3.
You can export a fixed file format (SDR33), .fbk, or whatever format you want to go into Carlson. I also have Carlson Survey 2014 and have imported directly to Carlson with no problem, however I typically use TBC.
