TSC2, 5603 Robot & Survey Pro 4.7 trouble

Might be worth a shot but survey pro also had hot keys. Try hitting the control button then the y key. Older version of survey pro that would activate the remote connection. Worth a shot. Old tsc1 collectors had the shortcuts printed on keyboard.

I upgraded my Ranger 200 about two years ago to a new Ranger. At that time my dealer also upgraded the firmware on my 5600 to mach the new Ranger and enable Trimble Direct Connect.

Not saying this is your problem, just it may be something you might want to check.

Thanks - interesting that might be necessary, but ... I'm using the same external radio (this TSC2 has no internal radio) and the TSC2 won't connect to it. Almost as if the RS232 port (COM1) wasn't working, yet it DOES work to use the same instrument and cable as a conventional TS.

Thanks - Yes, I'm finding that there seem to be unlabeled shortcut keys on the TSC2 that maybe change depending on what part of program is in use ... it was nice to have the shortcuts printed on the keyboard in the older models! More to learn ... One step forward, how many back?

Solution found:

This is the first Ranger I've used that had a choice of internal vs external radio. It was set to use the non-existant internal radio. Once set to external, saved and then rebooted, it worked. The whole setup procedure has changed, tho ... instead of a Legacy Trimble 5600 Remote, it is now Trimble Direct Connection; and the actual start-up sequence and screens have all changed.

Kinda like, if Microsoft made cars, we'd all have to learn how to drive all over again every time we got a new car!

Got it to connect & work in the safety of the office; let's see if it works in the field now; also looks like I have to 'learn how to drive' again.

Thanks for the input.

Scoott

When you say "the red light doesn't come on" ....I have a Geo 600 which is similar to a 5600, and I have to always turn the radio on manually. It will turn off by itself, when you shut the gun down, but it will never turn on by itself. Seems like that stopped working around version 4.0, or so. Try turning the radio on with the button and see if it connects.

Edit: nevermind, I see you already found the solution.

> ...also looks like I have to 'learn how to drive' again.

Change is inevitable, progress is optional. You do realize that you are "learning to drive" an almost antique car? 😉

Oh, absolutely ... I'm not the bleeding edge type, generally ... can be exciting but frustrating. Even when we got the 5600, athough new equipment, I knew it was essentially a Geodimeter with a proven record.

With the 5600 and Survey Pro 4.7, the radio still comes on during the Direct Connection process. However, I have yet to find the trick to getting the radio to turn OFF during the shutdown - actually it seems the only way (that I've found so far) to 'shutdown' is to actually exit Survey Pro; the instrument will shut down but not the radio. There is probably a better way (like the old method of 'Instrument Settings' and then click the 'Power off' button) but I haven't found it yet.

Try the hot key control-w. Mode menu. Works for turning it on and off.

I will try that - thanks

Direct Connect - Turning off the gun?

I asked a guy who used to have a direct connect Trimble, and he said the Control W trick didn't work. He didn't recall exactly, but said it was a PITA in Survey Pro to get to the "off" button. He thought it was under radio/communications setting.

Maybe someone here more familiar with direct connect can help you find it.