Using a tablet for a data collector

Looks like a great device! Who will be first to produce the massive 10" cradle that will allow it to be mounted to a pole?

Carlson has one already.

This idea of a tablet dc is anything but a pipe dream.

Trimble Yuma has been out for a couple years now.

Good point. I see you have a tablet.

Tablets will be the next data loggers. Platform will be the one that everyone has on their tablet and use daily for everything they do. iOS, Android, or something like that. I can't keep up.

I've seen your product. You guys have good equipment and a competitive price.

Jim

I don't think Windows Mobile ever made it to the big time as far as an operating system goes. It's fine for dedicated survey apps but really doesn't cut it for day to day stuff.

Jim

> I've seen your product. You guys have good equipment and a competitive price.

A local company is using Altus system, they like it.

Nick, one thing I would suggest: get your company to put better tripods in the pictures. When I see a GNSS receiver mounted on what looks like a low cost tripod dedicated to construction grade leveling and truck boxes, the system appeals less to me.

Sometimes you see that in magazines or websites...Promo shots with so-so set-ups (tripods off level, tribrachs not aligned, etc.), kinda makes you wonder about the product sitting on top and by association, the manufacturer.

But, hey, that's just my opinion, maybe I am too picky.

> Looks like a great device! Who will be first to produce the massive 10" cradle that will allow it to be mounted to a pole?

Who wants to be the first to fall over in a ditch with a flimsy tablet and a 10" screen near a rocky bank?;-)

How about a smart-phone type of design? Most of us don't want to give up the full keyboard, yet I am kinda tired of the old Ranger type of design with the small screen on top, and all the keys on the bottom. I like my FC-2500, just think it is a bit heavy, and it (and the Ranger) seem like a lot of DC, for a small screen.

How about something that looks like about a 7" tablet, then will flip open for a full keyboard when you need that too? (Instead of a patent, just send me a couple when they are done!)

Having cogo and data collection on an Ipad2 collecting data
on the cloud should eliminate the creek and rock problem.
On course, you would have to purchase certain hardware aqain.

We currently use the Panasonic Toughbooks. We tried the Explorer Tablet for awhile. The crews prefer a setup with a keyboard. We bluetooth to the instruments and send the data files directly from the field to the office server at the end of the day. Works very well.

What software do you use if I may ask? I wasn't aware of any that would run on android OS.

Jim

Hello Georges,

I'd say that is a fair criticism, and I appreciate the feedback. I do agree that it is important to ensure that marketing looks as professional as possible. Those small details can make a big difference.

As far as touch-screen data collectors go, I think they work. That being said, I prefer one with a larger screen, such as the Juniper Mesa. I also really like the Carlson Surveyor+ with the full keypad, especially in the cold weather. Regardless of which style you have, the amount of experience you have using it seems to be the most important factor in how efficiently you can work with it.

I think they have this already

Isn't that what a "recon" is? And before that they had tablet computer that ran field genius or some such thing.

I think they have this already

After some reserch i found that Carlson has this under development with Carlson Field. Just imagine real time data collection on top of a true Cad platform with real COGO Apps all connected by bluetooth and the internet.
The office staff can watch you collect data as it happens.

I think they have this already

"After some reserch i found that Carlson has this under development with Carlson Field. Just imagine real time data collection on top of a true Cad platform with real COGO Apps all connected by bluetooth and the internet.
The office staff can watch you collect data as it happens."

This is available now with the setup we have. We have not loaded VNC or any such where we can access their computers.
With Carlson Field on a Toughbook you have full graphics capability. We have it setup to do the line work and insert our blocks as they take the shots. We have added the Bluetooth and GPS packages to the Toughbooks also.
It's not just "under development"; it's here now. I have 6 crews using it everyday. They can see what they have shot. They can draw in utility data in the field. Saves a lot of trips back to the job site to pick up something missed the first time.

Different Explorer. The Explorer we used was a tablet that the military supposedly using. Very fragile in a field environment. Similar to the Walkabout tablet, but not as hardy. Both tables operate on the Windows platform.