What's the story with Ashtech/Magellen?

The worst thing about the old Ashtech L1 receivers is they are plastic welded shut and can not be worked on. Something as simple as the internal battery going bad turns it into a paper weight. From what I understand, the Locus and PM2 were like this. In fact, I remember that if you had a Locus go bad, their "service plan" was to send you a new one. (I remember on the old board, someone posted they had found a stereo repair shop that would replace the internal locus batteries by cracking the case open.) Word on the PM2 was that if you crack it open, you’d never be able to stuff all parts back in.

For that reason, I'd stay away from older used L1 Ashtech gear.

I don’t know about the PM3 or higher, though.

Their software, however, was great. I've never seen a more intuitive post processing package.

They haven't been owned by Magellan for a couple years now. Why don't you check out their website and see what the current receivers they are selling are about? You can download and use the latest version of their post processing software (L1 only) for free as well. My guess is that their receivers are still the cheapest in price. This seems much easier then trying to tell you about it...

Hmmmm, I thought I was on their website and that's why I thought they were owned by Magellen. But it's always better to here the users opinion of them than the manufacturer.

>So I went on the internet and noticed that they are owned by Magellen, is that right?

No

(1970)
Sercel an electronics company in France starts the radiopositioning business using land based UHF transmiters at the time.

(2010)
Magellan Professional re-born as Ashtech. All group companies and brand renamed Ashtech.

I've had three PM3s for about 6 years and they are fantastic. They will do what the literature says they will.

For survey grade results, there are very few jobs that I can accomplish using only the PM3s. Northeast Texas has more canopy than many other areas.

Using them and the total station together has been very productive. I like the ability to cut a minimum amount of brush to be able to mark and locate a boundary.

They have a stop and go ability that helps locate physical attributes when only submeter accuracy is needed. In favorable conditions that usually yields results within a tenth when post processed.

The software is all I have ever used to do GPS computations. It is adaptable to fit your needs according to where you are in the world and to whatever required datum or coordinate system you have to work in.

They use a replaceable battery pack that will last 6-8hrs and they are also easily run by an alternative power source that will recharge the battery pack as it gathers data. I usually run mine one day on battery pack and the next day with a power source (Schumacher IP75 will run a PM3 on that schedule for a week between recharges).

Own and use 6 Locus receivers today with good results. Usually place two on known points and leave them there but on large areas they may be moved also after being originally set on known points. When I set only one rover up there are two vectors to it by my having first set two control units. Setting up and moving the 4 rovers around, because of the time required to travel between points, I end up with many interconnected vectors, especially when all 6 receivers are collecting data at the same time. That happens frequently because of the time required to get back to the first rover to move it ahead. When I first started using Locus I had only 3 receivers and the points collected per day was limited. Real time would be nice for stake out and navigating to search areas but my Locus are payed for, much faster than traversing. My Locus allows me do all of the data collection by myself and the fact that I will soon retire anyway, my Locus will not be retired until I am, they will keep plugging along for awhile yet. Ain't broke, don't fix it. Besides, who knows what the future of GPS is going to be anyway, a broke government and broadcasters crowding the frequencies would make me very reluctant to be buying any of the new stuff now.
jud

I have 7 Locus units, and operate pretty much the same way you do Jud. Great system, even still. What software are you using with them?

True Corner,

You can email me at [email protected] and I can give you info on the Ashtech L1 GNSS units.

Brett

Ashtech Solutions for some time now, from the references of new software here am thinking of maybe trying a download. What I am using although there is some room for improvements seems to do what I need. My first software was Ashtech labeled with Sokkia whe were licensed for that.
jud

Ditto. I'm running five units by myself and would gladly buy two or three more if I run across them. Great units. I posted on the old Ashtech board that I wished someone would come out with a Locus 2.0 that had 12 channels, a USB download, and L1/l2. Keep the size, batteries, styles, and everything else the same. That would be worth buying.

Gary