What field is most lacking?

Cost effective.... Not 4-5k

> I feel that the area MOST in need of advancement is in the data collector. It should be:
>
> 1.) excellent data collector, that works the way YOU want.
>
> 2.) excellent cogo. That allows you to fully calc surveys fast.
>
> 3.) Rugged, and reliable.
>
> 4.) ok, add yours!

DC, no doubt. One that runs a robot without ridiculously unneeded time wasting button pushing. My Carlson Surveyor+ with SurvCE on it is AWFUL!! It needs a hardkey to go to standby instead of having to 4 or 5 other menu backouts to get to where you want. SOOOOO MUCH TIME WASTED!!!

Carl

Yup, DC fer sure. I know I will never buy a touch screen again! Might be fine in warmer clime, but at 40 deg and lower, plttttt! Give me a button anytime.

-JD-

Available as an app for my smart phone

At least available on an SD card.

Data Collection System that runs in Civil 3D.

IPAD or similar tablet with real time DC running directly into Acad/Surveying program

is that too much to ask for?

Proper field book notes and sketches with pencils and no erasers. Solar powered slide rules. Portable sweat to potable water converters. Foldable lawn chairs that fold to wallet size for ease in carrying.

My vote goes for....

...Mr Foggy Idea (aka, Dan Poole)

His signature says it all.

"Outstanding in the Field"

If we are not all outstanding in our field, then we perhaps should seek additional avenues of excellence.

Oh yea, Go Red Wings!!!

agreed on the cogo issue. I recall when I first started surveying we used a DOS based program with some simple but powerful commands to generate coordinates and check closures. I think it was called "simplicity" or maybe was bought by them.

Seems to me that should be built into every modern DC, without all the goofyness.

how about voice recognition for an iphone app that does your math?

Pocket Surveyor does a lot of that. Cogo in the field as well as the basic drafting right there with you. The price is decent too.

1.) excellent data collector, that works the way YOU want.

3.) Rugged, and reliable.

You described SMI on a JettXL
Sweetness!

Its called ALT J -

I much prefer touch screens over push buttons. They are smaller, lighter, and have a bigger screen. With a push-button DC you still have to use a pencil to push buttons in cold weather when wearing thick gloves (which destroys the buttons over time). I love my recon. I hate it when I get stuck with the ranger for RTK. I am half tempted to use my own money to buy a Yuma as my primary DC.
I have never had an issue with cold on the touch screen responsiveness; the deep cold saps the battery long before button issues.

With dirt and sand, buttons, all inclosed in some sort of plastic protective envelop. Touch screens get scratched no matter what you do.
jud

> 1.) excellent data collector, that works the way YOU want.
>
> 2.) excellent cogo. That allows you to fully calc surveys fast.
>
> 3.) Rugged, and reliable.
>
>
>
>
> You described SMI on a JettXL
> Sweetness!

I wish SMI would have gone into robotic. I miss their sweetness!!

Carl

Unless something has changed SMI had robotics working a few years back. I reviewed that system for POB. It was Version 8, I believe but it has been awhile.

Reduce the diam. of the GPS antenna to an inch and Bluetooth the information to the surface of a virtual heads up display like Googles virtual glasses. So all you have is a Moses like staff to survey with..may as well incorporate a micro schonstedt into the base of the staff with optional pepper dispersant for bears or tazer for bad guys. That's my dream instrument. But in the meantime Topcon has introduced the "Magnet" that can send your measurements, topo, etc directly to the office in realtime as soon as you take shots ...in the cloud...

Runs my Topcon robot like a champ.

> Runs my Topcon robot like a champ.

I must have gotten some bad info then. I bought mine as a bundled package, maybe that's why. My bad.