Nate's Wish List, for the direction for the Javad Co.

[Jim Campi]

1.) Make the Cellular Corrections work right. I have paid for cellular corrections through some company. It barely worked. I gave it up. Lost money and time.
OR
Come up with a corrections method, that WORKS 100%.
So, my item one is corrections need to be fast, full, and trouble free.
2.) Keep updating the LS, and it's cogo, and such. Make it into a MORE advance system. As is, the COGO is clunky.
3.) MAKE a program for the PC, that allows the OFFICE PC to emulate the LS. So that you can DPOS from the PC, and you can do MANY things without the actual LS in hand. Maybe the field crew needs the LS, while the office guy is busy. Solving WHICH version of the coordinate is correct.
4.) Communicate with your user base. Tell us what is going on with the company. Tell us what you are doing. Keep us in the loop. Don't hide from us. Keep things going. Since Dr. Javad passed, the company has not kept us in the loop. Who owns the company. Who is spearheading new development? Is MM level GPS in the dark woods coming? Trimble and company has said that they will buy Javad out, when he fails. (I dread that!)
5.) Please hire a "Director of communications" for the company. Who is writing code, software? What is the pilots name? The co-pilot? Where are we going, and what's our ETA? (Estimated Time of Arrival). Hire somebody that IS a surveyor, and understands what we want, and can serve as a "Go Between".
Have you even seen how an engineer writes down a magnetic bearing? Looks like this:
N 01°14'38.9285999999999999" E

The surveyor would just put N 01°15' E

or N 15-1/4° E.

Keep up the good work. Keep us in the loop. Don't give an inch to Trimble!!

To quote an old friend, "You've come a long way, baby!".

And, I add, Yeah, let's go the rest of the way!!

Happy 2025!!

Nate

Hi Nate,

I too would very much like to hear from Javad what they are doing on 4 and 5. I also think that you enthusiasm for the Brand says so much about their corporate model that that users would be this integrated into the product that in some cases we are sitting at the edge of our seats waiting for more information.

I don't see this happening as Javad will want to keep new technology under tight control so their competitors are not able to steal ideas and attempt to patent before Javad. Look at Apple for example. They don't release information on what they are doing until the product release. Doing so could have very important negative consequences that in a worst case scenario would take a business to bankruptcy. This is a typical practice. I would be very concerned about the long term viability of the business.

Also I think this very forum does what you are asking for while also protecting trade secrets.

Please note that I am writing this in the most positive tone. It is not meant to come off as condescending or arrogant. In fact, every time I visit the site I am hoping to see a new releasee of their products. I missed the LS+. This next time I will not.

I will say that it does feel like there has been a shift in what is the most important to the leadership of Javad. Any business must be able to adapt to change in climate and that is even more so for a tech company. I have no idea what was or is going on in the background. When the good doctor was lost to covid, I was very concerned about the long term viability of the business. It is impressive that they kept the operation fully engaged released new products and yes it seems that they have expanded their operations. "Javad, looking toward the heavens" may be their core focus. In other words they could focus on both the sky and space. I can't fault them for following the money. There are billions of dollars being spent on developing technology to get to and colonize Mars. If Javad can help them get there, then why not...increasing revenue in this sector may allow them to allocate more toward GNSS.

Please note that my comments are pure speculation. I am in no way affiliated with Javad other than I like and use their products.

I will also say this. The fact that you are so engaged in and want to know more about their inner operations makes you the type of client that most businesses can only dream of having. They must be doing something correctly for this level of engagement!

Thanks Nate I always appreciate your messages.

 

[Phillip Lancaster]

Nate, here is what I want in no order of importance:

1. When connected to remote base. The ability to control the base as a rover to get an RTN base coordinate and then set it as the base coordinate without the current set the nail. Set up the rover over the nail. Connect to the RTN and store a shot, and then set up the base with RTN coord.

2. Ability to use the layers on a .dwg import instead of all on one layer as current.

3. Ability to use two different cellular providers. Sim 1: ATT, Sim 2: Verizon in the LS+.

4. Ability to see the same details of the base cell connection, just like when viewing the rover cell connection details.

5. Get rid of checking the base functions of each module when connecting to the base. It doesn't matter. How many times I have a cell connection issue with other units, and the cell passes the checks, yet I can't get it to hold a setting or even power on the cell module. Get rid of it all together. It's a waste of time.

6. In the map screen, have an inverse tool where you click on one point and click on another point, and there is your inverse. Too many clicks to just inverse two points.

7. A new rover where I can choose an internal cell antenna or an external cell antenna. Faster processors, better cameras, and a bigger screen.

8. A base the same size as the LS+ that has a bigger battery with a 2 to 5 watt UHF radio and 2 SIMs for two different providers. Something that will last around two 10-12 hour days before needing a recharge.

9. The T3NR with a SIM card. It was done on the GISmore, why not the T3NR?

10. J-tip 2.0!

11. A Javad solar panel battery setup for the base. Plug-n-play. And the cherry would be to make it scalable.

12. Make all UHF antennas tuned before shipping and display what frequency the antenna is currently at, so the user knows if he/she change frequency, the range will be limited.

13. A fix for cloud storage.

14. A fix for connecting to a local wifi network as a network computer. (What is that called? Local network connection?)

15. The ability to schedule a recording in Netview ie: starts a base file at 7 am and stops at 8 pm.

16. Merge NetView and NetHub into one program. They are practically the same now, but each one is still different.

17. Bring back Netbrowser on the Play Store.

18. Bring back JERSI on the Play Store.

19. I don't get this problem, but there is a problem. Help more users get on the message board. If not. Let anonymous users post on the message board. It could go into some holding section to be reviewed by admins.

20. Get Michael Glutting, Shawn Billings, Matt Sibole, and Adam Plumley back. I miss those guys.

21. Never give up!

 

[Adam]

Hey Phillip, Thank you for #20. That was very kind.

 

[Matt Johnson]

Many good idea, here are a few comments on some of these.

In the map screen, have an inverse tool where you click on one point and click on another point, and there is your inverse. Too many clicks to just inverse two points.

If you use the Draw Line to it will show the inverse of the proposed line, just hit Cancel instead of End to cancel drawing the line after you see the inverse.

A base the same size as the LS+ that has a bigger battery

If you base battery is not lasting long enough you could also connect an external battery.

A Javad solar panel battery setup for the base.

You should be able to use any 3rd party 12V solar system available on Amazon.

 

[DUANE WETMORE]

Lots of good ideas, especially for me #s 6,7,10,18 & 21. I miss having JERCI work on the phone, could set up the LS on a high rod or on difficult spot, and access it to do some cogo with out wobbling the LS around. Used it for flagging line with the LS in the backpack and the phone in hand.
Wished it worked on iphones!

 

[Phillip Lancaster]

If you base battery is not lasting long enough you could also connect an external battery.


You should be able to use any 3rd party 12V solar system available on Amazon.

It's for a project I'm working on to have multiple remote rtn's to run static sessions on multiple sites that have to be stand-alone for a government agency. 11, 15, and 16. Maybe 17, depending if they will allow cell usage, will help with this project.

 

[John Rosco]

#15 - Log-files Management Parameters
Automatic and implicit file management is performed by automatic file rotation mode (AFRM).

Once AFRM file rotation is setup,
o The recording can be started with the GREIS command set,/par/log/rot/mode,on
o The recording can be stopped with the GREIS command set,/par/log/rot/mode,off

Footnote:
- AFRM can be controlled by the JAVAD GNSS receivers Tri-Pad button. if so desired.
IE: use the Tri-Pad button to start and stop manual 'direct' internal data logfile recording
or use the Tri-Pad button to start and stop manual 'AFRM' data logfile recording

Enable Implicit Management of Specific Current Log-file
set, /par/log/imp/N (N=0,1)
Type: boolean
Values: y,n
Default: y for N=0, n for N=1
N=0 corresponds to the /cur/file/a
y – corresponding current log-file will be controllable via AFRM and TriPad.
n – corresponding current log-file will be ignored by AFRM and TriPad.

 

[John Rosco]

#17 - Bring back Netbrowser

All JAVAD GNS receivers are able to connect to a HTTP, Port 80 using any WEB browser

 

[Nate The Surveyor]

COGO It's just a set of tools, to make coordinates, in the field, to determine what we are going to use for final coords. It's not a holy grail. It's a set of tools.

Now, IF you want to make GOOD cogo, it SHOULD mimic pre existing COGO. Not re invent the wheel. It should be SIMPLE, and EXPANDABLE. At the same time. So, Traverse, should be able to simply enter Inst @__________ Backsite____________Foresite_________ Horizontal Angle____________ Distance____________ and Press ENTER, and bam it's made.
Then, we should add to this Inst HI, Backsight HR, and Foresite HR, and a zenith angle to that Distance, for a slope distance, and a Point Description.
And, then we can add a button, that MOVES up or Does SIDESHOT.
Then, we could add to this Inst @ __________, and it prompts for Backsite,_________, and we hit ENTER, and it simply asks for Foresite,_______________
then it prompts for a Brg______________ or AZ_______________, then it prompts for Dist_____________, and Description___________________.

My point is that GOOD COGO is VERY complex to write, and VERY simple to use. In fact, it nearly needs no training, or explanation.

To prove my point, how many of you EXCLUSIVELY use the LS, for all your COGO, and use it for everything? I'd venture to say, NONE of us.

When I first began using TDS 48, and OTHER software, they all strove for a COMPLETE package. The LS is semi dependent on Carlson or some flavor of Auto-cad, or another COGO package, to do our work.
I'd like to see the LS COGO capable and actually a GO-TO for final calcs.

Now, this would be good for many things.
The best "POWER USERS" of the LS, have a laptop, for field use. They do field calcs, and return the results to the LS.

Anyway, that is what ALL surveyors really want, and need. Now, granted, we may OPT to use other cogo, but offhand, we SOMETIMES need the LS to "DO IT ALL". And, as is, it can, but we avoid it like.... alot.
It's too clunky. Yes... in some ways it is "All there". But, it is a horse drawn carriage, with steel tires. And, some of us prefer to drive a 4-wheel Drive truck. With a real suspension.
I think many users would like that. I know I would.

To see if you have good cogo, go get 5 deeds, with 10 courses each, and go to the gas station, and enter all those deeds. Rotate and Translate them, and set up the Base Station, and perform the whole survey, and return home with final coords, and a road designed right through the middle.
IF the field COGO does it well, without cumbersome steps, then it is good software.

Nate

 

[Phillip Lancaster]

#15 - Log-files Management Parameters
Automatic and implicit file management is performed by automatic file rotation mode (AFRM).

Once AFRM file rotation is setup,
o The recording can be started with the GREIS command set,/par/log/rot/mode,on
o The recording can be stopped with the GREIS command set,/par/log/rot/mode,off

Footnote:
- AFRM can be controlled by the JAVAD GNSS receivers Tri-Pad button. if so desired.
IE: use the Tri-Pad button to start and stop manual 'direct' internal data logfile recording
or use the Tri-Pad button to start and stop manual 'AFRM' data logfile recording

Enable Implicit Management of Specific Current Log-file
set, /par/log/imp/N (N=0,1)
Type: boolean
Values: y,n
Default: y for N=0, n for N=1
N=0 corresponds to the /cur/file/a
y – corresponding current log-file will be controllable via AFRM and TriPad.
n – corresponding current log-file will be ignored by AFRM and TriPad.

If you have a Delta on the roof, or any receiver for that matter, using it as a rtn. The only way right now is to do file rotation. Why? Well, it is automated. The goal is that if they collect data from 10am to 2pm they may have a few shots that were collected with no cell service. Right now the solution is Netview and collect a 24 hour file which stops at the 24 hour mark and starts another, or two 12 hour files which stops at the 12 hour and start another, or three 8 hour files which stops at the 8 hour and starts another and so on. One of those 12 hour files or two of those 8 hour files are useless and will be deleted. If it could be scheduled, then start at 7am and stop a 7pm everyday and that is all that is recorded but it does it everyday without a human. This would also be helpfull if a government agency wants to monitor a structure(s) it could be automated to send the file to a FTP or even better Depos and then emailed everyday for multiple sites.

Right now the best practice is to manually log in to each site every day and manually start/stop the file. Just don't forget to start/stop the file. Which shouldn't be a problem because we humans are perfect and never forget things.

 

[Phillip Lancaster]

#17 - Bring back Netbrowser

All JAVAD GNS receivers are able to connect to a HTTP, Port 80 using any WEB browser

That was just wishful thinking. If I remember correctly. I thought you could download a base static session with your phone, and wouldn't need a laptop. These would be in very remote locations without any cell coverage. These would have to be manually done. The more I think about it. It would probably be better to carry a laptop and use a usb connection to download because of the file size being multiple days of static sessions.

 

[John Rosco]

#15 - Log-files Management Parameters
Automatic and implicit file management is performed by automatic file rotation mode (AFRM).

Once AFRM file rotation is setup,
o The recording can be started with the GREIS command set,/par/log/rot/mode,on
o The recording can be stopped with the GREIS command set,/par/log/rot/mode,off

Footnote:
- AFRM can be controlled by the JAVAD GNSS receivers Tri-Pad button. if so desired.
IE: use the Tri-Pad button to start and stop manual 'direct' internal data logfile recording
or use the Tri-Pad button to start and stop manual 'AFRM' data logfile recording

Enable Implicit Management of Specific Current Log-file
set, /par/log/imp/N (N=0,1)
Type: boolean
Values: y,n
Default: y for N=0, n for N=1
N=0 corresponds to the /cur/file/a
y – corresponding current log-file will be controllable via AFRM and TriPad.
n – corresponding current log-file will be ignored by AFRM and TriPad.

The JAVAD receivers are also able to perform "Session programming" - see GREIS Reference Guide.

 

[Phillip Lancaster]

That is exactly what we need. Thanks John!!!

 

[ken larson]

Thanx for keeping tabs of the board John

 

[avoidthelloyd]

Hopefully JAVAD is considering the next phase of the LS. It's time to have a robust, but easy to use, COGO feature as well as voice recognition for simple tasks like 'stake point C1' and such. My main wish for the next gen LS is to get the dang external jacks in a better spot or move them internal. I've had more repair costs and down time due to snagging some antenna on something. I'm pretty careful. The 35w radio has never worked well for me, even with the external antenna.

I think what was genius from Dr. Javad was the all in one unit where I'm only carrying one thing while going through the woods as well as some of the on the fly corrections features that allow you to seamlessly match your old survey coordinate system. The ideas are still worth building upon.

 

[Nate The Surveyor]

I would LOVE to see the LS 2.
Larger screen.
Lighter weight.
Fully functional IMU. That knows direction, without magnetic compass.

Nate

 

[Nate The Surveyor]

Right now, my top need is a firmware update. In the last 2 yrs, my LS has slowed down, quite a bit. Fresh firmware would help me alot.
Nate

 

[avoidthelloyd]

Here's a good past post with some ideas too...

LS++ or future device improvements

Hey Friends, I wanna start a pragmatic list of improvements that I would LOVE to see in the future. Here's some thoughts I have. As I've stated before, the all-in-one device was a big selling point to me because it is less to carry. I can imagine how much simpler engineering and designing would...

support.javad.com

 

[avoidthelloyd]

My brother uses iGage with the Visual Survey feature. It is cool. It works like the photo drone data for contours. He can start a visual survey and point the camera under canopies or down in deep culverts and at the office, he can open those photos it took on his phone and just click the photo where he wants to store a shot and it creates a point. I checked the precision verses my total station under a porch overhang and it was within a tenth. I was impressed.

It has good IMU accuracy too. I know Javad could do these things and retain the all-in-one design we love.