I am thinking about buying one just wanted some feedback if they like better than gps with base station and any problems they might have with it
Take a look at the Leica GS12 w/CS15 running Smartworks Viva first.
Hi,
we have 4 Trimble R6 / TSC2 / Trimble Access for a little more than a year now, we connect to the Free Flemish (Trimble) VRS system here in Belgium. Very nice system.
We had some trouble with bad antenna connectors for the internal modem but these antenna's were replaced with another model by our dealer, runs smoothly now.
Chr.
We use the local Trimble VRS network a ton. It's cool to be able to jump out of the truck and hit the ground running.
That being said, a conventional base/radio seems to obtain a "fix" in more areas. The base/rover is also faster to get fix near canopy...and seems to be more accurate (especially verticals).
Keynet in PA costs $3,000 year...so that might matter also...for us it's worth every penny.
I work with a Trimble R8-2/TSC2/Access on the western data systems VRS Network almost everyday and you really cant beat the efficiency it provides you. I've only had one day where it didn't fix easily.
Our crew chiefs love the R8 vrs. It provides a quick cell phone connection and a fix within a minute or so. The cell phone bill runs a couple of hundred per month per unit, but it is worth the price to be cable free. You may wish to have your phone provider quote you a data plan prior to purchase. It is a plus to be cable free and I sure do not miss luggin' around a truck battery. Vrs battery is smaller than a pack of smokes. - Good Luck -- Matt
Cell phone modem works pretty well for establishing control points, but when moving around, as when collecting topo, it drops the connection often. To the point of being unusable for that purpose, IMO. But really cool for establishing horizontal control.
Take a look at the Verizon or AT&T MiFi. We use one on all three of our R-8's on no less than 5 different networks. The $50 a month bill sure beats the $200 a month cell bill.
DavidLee - Thanx for the heads-up on the phone bill. I will have our office manager check it out the options. The sharing of tips, techniques and information are why I visit this site so often. -- Thanx for your help -- Matt
> Cell phone modem works pretty well for establishing control points, but when moving around, as when collecting topo, it drops the connection often. To the point of being unusable for that purpose, IMO. But really cool for establishing horizontal control.
Exactly...for us it's mostly a control setter. Today for example, we had 1 bar of cell service. Decided to set a control pair, then used the base / rover / radio set-up (typical). Unless cell coverage is perfect, we're better off using this technique.
Still better than waiting for OPUS.