Nate,
We did a side by side comparison with Triumph LS and Topcon Hiper V, Duane Frymire and myself.
It took us about 45 minutes to setup the proper projections, Geoids and NYSNET parameters. Javad uses some crazy long terminology, that appears very international when describing projections. We did get it working. So both the Topcon and LS were using same network solution.
- Coordinates were very similar in most instances.
- The Javad uses some crazy new technology (Gyro I think) for detecting when the pole is plumb. So there is no level bubble on pole. Actually not even a GPS pole of any sort I have seen. It is more like a telescoping cane, from 2ft to 6ft, or so. Very light weight, but short. It gave locate a point at something like ±5° out of plumb. This work quite well. But would like to have both this and the level bubble for a comfort.
- The onboard data collection is very different than I have seen in 25 years. But works well. Just alot of info, t=and lot of buttons, lot of windows there. Again I would like option to have both, this onboard data collection, and the use of a controller.
- One spot we locating a old platform, next to a short concrete structure. I was able to extend the Topcon receiver up and over the structure, high enough to get a good location. Duane tried the same with the Javad, but he could NOT reach the buttons on the screen onto top of the "pole" or cane.
Lee Green
Lee,
If I understand you correctly, this Javad unit does not have an external collector, it is all onboard, on top of the pole?
There is absolutely no way that would work for me.
Jimmy
Jim,
The Javad Triumph LS is all-in-one receiver, controller, radio/modem, screen, and antenna with Wifi, USB, Bluetooth, and I'm sure many other things I can't remember. I don't know if a separate controller can be used with it.
From what I saw, I would not want that device, at any price. But I would like those features added to my Topcon Hiper V's, I presume some of that technology will become standard in the future.
In my opinion, it is a great beta product, but not ready for production.
Lee Green
I checked out the website. There is no way I would want to key on stuff over my head all day.
I sure Mr. Javad has some great technology on those units, but it has to be more user friendly. I wish him all the luck in the world. I like being able to take a data collector to the truck to do some calculations, or plug into the total station for picking up the stuff the GPS cannot get.
OK, an update. The Javad system has come a long way. It is now a functional system. New releases are coming out about once a month. For the beta folks once a week or so. Lots is happening.
IF you want to place the LS on a prism pole, then you can set it to do the following: Set how confident you want to be. Set a 10 second delay. Raise the pole up over the roof line. Wait till it makes a big loud beep. It now can come down, and lets you type in the point description. OR talk to it. Or take a pic.
The old GPS systems all gave us a YES-NO. PASS FAIL. FIX FLOAT. Actually, there are 3 options. Fix, Float, and Autonomous.
Well, the Javad is in another world.
With 6 engines, it can pick apart the data, and actually lets you see whats happening. It seems to use another paradigm for working in the OPEN, as opposed to in the woods.
Like this:
(Open sky)
Engine No.
1 float
2 float
3 fixed
4 fixed
5 fixed
6 fixed
Then, go to the woods, and it looks like this:
1 fixed
2 fixed
3 float
4 float
5 fixed
6 float.
So, just because it has 6 engines, they seem to function differently depending on environment.
So, this really allows us to know more about the quality of our data.
I'm intrigued. I'd like a system that NEVER lies to me. But, then, it might never work, in even slightly poor environments.
This tells you alot more about what you are getting.
IF the software matures, then it will fly!
Nate
I was thinking the same thing about the collector being an all-in-one unit with the receiver. Not the brightest idea for the reasons cited above, and the fact that, if the the receiver or the collector portion had problems, it would keep you from working. I'd rather have the collector separate. I could view it from any angle I wanted, and if the collector or the receiver have technical problems, I can still use another collector or receiver and keep working.
I have seen the ads, but it isn't on their website: Javad did split the DC and antenna. The DC looks like the screen of the LS, and is maybe 2" thick, and then it uses the TRIUMPH-2 on top of the pole.
Tovio, that would probably be the best for me, in the environment I work in. However, that one is not released yet. The LS is here. It is viable.
The software is changing daily.
That is why I'm so intrigued.
GOOD software, = Good for me!
N
It's true that you can raise up the pole maybe a bit easier with a separate data collector, but you can still do it with the LS. I have had the pole on a 3 ft. tall pipe and extended all the way so it is 4 ft. or so above my head. Simply start it and then put it where you want it. I think the poles may come with level bubble on them now, not sure, but you can always use a portable one.
One of the things Lee and I tried was to see how the RTN compared to his onsite RTK inside a concrete structure. Of course the onsite was getting corrections via radio fine. But, I lifted the LS out the window until it had a fix, then brought it inside and it matched his elevations until fix was lost (pretty quickly) (just trying to get a floor elevation of the structure over the river). I thought that was pretty impressive, but maybe the same for other brands.
Overall, I like the all in one concept, but there are advantages to the traditional way too. One thing I like about the LS is the ability to simply unscrew the LS and set it on the ground on a point and let it cook for an opus-rs while I do other things; no need for the extra data collector, tripod, or anything else that I don't want to carry around.
When pushing the limits: the problem with OPUS-RS is you really will not know how good the solution is until submitted (although you can submit from the field if you have cell coverage). The RTN verify will tell you in real time if your solution is going to be good (although you can record a point without waiting for verify and it may or may not be good). No, not going after the 10k prize, just pushing things and cheating the system to see what happens.
> I checked out the website. There is no way I would want to key on stuff over my head all day.
>
> I sure Mr. Javad has some great technology on those units, but it has to be more user friendly. I wish him all the luck in the world. I like being able to take a data collector to the truck to do some calculations, or plug into the total station for picking up the stuff the GPS cannot get.
Jimmy,
I can understand your reluctance to the concept. Most don't like the all in one idea when they first see it and even the first couple of times, myself included. Generally after a week or two of use, most users prefer it. I prefer it to two meter poles with an external collector because of the ease of portability and the ergonomics. After a long day of RTK topo, my back is usually pretty sore, not so with the LS.
You can absolutely take it into the truck with you to do calculations. I do that routinely. I don't even have to remove it from the monopod, just collapse it. The monopod reduces to about 2' in length. So I stand it up on the floor board in front of me.
You are correct that it doesn't control total stations. I thought that would be more of a hindrance, myself. But it hasn't been. I export ASCII files with a thumb drive to move points between the total station data collector and the LS. I'm sure that may not be sustainable for every surveyor. But it's worked well for me over the past few months.
