Network Rover? & other information

[Bill Rensberger]

I am looking into upgrading my GPS equipment. I currently use L1 static equipment that requires long observation times and post process everything. I am thinking of a network rover at this time that I can connect to the Indiana network. The Indiana network overlaps with Michigan and Illinois too (I attached a network map with this post) I watched part of a 90 min presentation Mr. Javad had recorded and liked what I saw. He seems pretty passionate and excited about his various products. I have limited time this time of year so haven't checked into the Javad equipment as much as I want to but from what I see the price for a Triumph 2 controlled by a Victor LS is a great deal that I may take advantage of. I wonder if it would be a good system to use as a rover with the network. I was sort of hoping for advise and or opinions that would be helpful for me to make a purchase decision.

I copied below pricing and answers to some of my questions to a Leica dealer. (Leica is the company that set up the Indiana network). I figured others that look at this board may be interested.

What cell carrier to go with?
>>>> The Leica GS14 is the receiver that will fit your needs most efficiently. The "Data Collector" that manages the GS14 is the Leica CS15. (please see attached brochures & data sheets). The GS14 receiver is available in GPS L1/L2 , GLONASS, Galileo (which you can purchase later as there is not yet a Galileo constellation). Within the CS15 data collector is a slot for an AT&T SIM card (readily available at any AT&T store). When the AT&T SIM card is installed in the CS15 upon bootup the following procedure happens automatically:
1.) CS15 links via Bluetooth to the GS14 GNSS receiver ( no cables required in this system)
2.) CS15 initializes it's internal modem
3.) CS15 connects to the wireless web (internet)
4.) User then hits the "connect" key and the CS15 rover than begins receiving RTK corrections from the Network Stations
AT&T is the service provider that it uses as the system is GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) which allows the SIM card.
To check your AT&T coverage please go to www.att.com and select "coverage map" .. then select "data".

Ease of use?
Can I run static &
Some one with experience in GPS ... you will be ready to go with 5 hrs of training (provided)

post process with my Ashteck program too?

>>>>You could export the RINEX file from the CS15 and use RINEX data in your existing program. The Rinex option is $500


Grid to Ground conversions while in the field?
>>>> If you wish to work in a "local" system; it is easier to simply observe three existing local points (for horizontal) or qty 4 local points (for vertical) and do a one step transformation onto the existing control. This will allow the CS15 to work in your existing control system in real time.

The cost of a single network rover?
>>>> I will shoot you a proposal in an hour or so Bill, as I have a few Monday morning things to get sorted out.

Is Lieca as good as Javad LS & or Triumph?
>>>> By far superior as the reference stations you will be accessing are also Leica and Leica's specialty is long range / high precision GNSS and precision instrumentation. Leica's products work as a "system" with both error models and stochastic modeling built into that system to mitigate correlation errors between GNSS and TPS observations. Actually it's the "Swiss" way.

29-Sep-14
Leica GS14 MSRN Rover
Product # Description Qty. Price Extension
6008450 GS14 3.5G & UHF Professional Antenna 1 10,840.00 10,840.00
GPS L1/L2 , GLONASS
772806 GEB212 Lithium Ion Battery 7.4v / 2.6 Ah 3 130.00 390.00
772807 GEV237, 1.65 Connects CS14 to CS15 1 290.00 290.00
CS15 Field Controller, SmartWorx Viva Software and Accessories
781599 CS 15 Field Controller, Win CE , Full VGA, Touch Display 1 4,450.00 4,450.00
767874 CBC01 Lemo Connector module with Power Jack & USB Host 1 150.00 150.00
772806 GEB212 Lithium Ion Battery 7.4v / 2.6 Ah 2 130.00 260.00
767909 SmartWorxs Viva Liscence Key 1 700.00 700.00
767856 MSD1000 Industrial Grade SD Memory Cards 1 GB 1 200.00 200.00
Onboard Applications
767915 Reference Line 1 250.00 250.00
System Accessories
768226 GLS13, 2m,Telescopic Pole (feet graduation) locking 1 220.00 220.00
767879 GHT62 Pole Holder base plate for CS15 1 60.00 60.00
767880 GHT63 Clamp arrangement for attaching GHT62 to pole 1 100.00 100.00
795992 GVP708 Container for GS14 & CS15 & Accessories 1 200.00 200.00
Smart Charger (to maintain Lithium battery health)
733271 GKL221 Pro Charger (charges all batteries) 1 550.00 550.00
733323 Charger Plates for GEB221 Batteries 2 60.00 120.00
Leica Geo Office Basic Office Software
778071 Leica Geo Office Basic Liccense (node locked) 1 400.00 400.00
with one year of software upgrades. (6004348).
System Firmware Upgrade and Support
6003680 1 Year GNSS firmware upgrades and support 1 725.00 725.00
Price of Leica GS14 GNSS Rover System 19,905.00
Less 10% Valued Customer Discount (1,990.50)
Price with Discount 17,914.50
Note: Not Included : Indiana Sales Tax and Shipping F.O.B. Lawrenceville, GA
Note: Company will need to acquire a USER ID and PASSWORD from the Michigan Dept. of Trans.
to access the Michigan Spatial Reference Network. MDOT RTK USER Agreement can be obtained:
http://www.mdotcors.org/data_out/log_files/MDOT_RTK_ACCESS.pdf
Access to the MSRN is free of charge.
Note: Company will also need a User ID and Password from the Indiana Dept. of Transportaiton
http://incors.in.gov/useragreement.pdf
Note: Customer will also require an AT&T SIM card with a "5 Gigabyte Data Connect Plan" in order to
access the wireless web from the CS15 controller to access the MDOT NTRIP CASTOR.
The private sector cost for this AT&T plan is +/- $49.95 per month.

 

[Matthew D. Sibole]

I would be more than happy to answer any questions you have. Please feel free to give me a call to discuss it. My number is 812-399-2483

I live in southern Indiana down by Louisville. I have my unit configured to be a base and rover or a network rover on the Kentucky RTN and it works wonderfully. I need to get a user name and password for the Indiana RTN, I just haven't taken the time to do it yet.

 

[Kelly Bellis]

Hi Bill,

First off, by all means get in touch with Matt Sibole. Aside from being relatively close to you, Matt was one of the first to put his Triumph-LS to work immediately last March as Kentucky offers what sounds like an excellent RTN. Some states like mine (Maine) currently don't have a public RTN. The Maine Department of Transportation does offer an excellent free single-baseline solution; however, my shortest single baselines are always greater than 40 km as their corrections are broadcast from CORS that are very sparse in the adjoining counties of Waldo, Penobscot and Washington - and nonexistent in my county (Hancock).

Secondly, I'm sorry not to have responded sooner. Only just now am I back in the office from an energizing week in San Jose with Javad Ashjaee, Matt Sibole and the other members of the so-called 5PLS team.

Thirdly, as a Promark2 (since 2001) user I'm coming from a very similar situation as you've described with no RTK experience up until my first first tests with the Triumph-LS. I've been told that the 13 years worth of L1-only data that I've gathered on numerous projects can be post processed with the newer data from the Javad GNSS gear (.jps files) when those scenarios arise using Ashtech Solutions' Rinex Converter and the software called Justin. I hope to try testing this soon but my assignments of late must take priority.

The software that the 5PLS team has been working on since March runs on both the Triumph-LS and the Victor-LS. It is called J-Field and has been shaped and will continue to be shaped from direct input from U.S. Professional Land Surveyors. The very fact that a GNSS manufacturer has so openly embraced our community and so keenly has responded to our wants and needs cannot be understated. Maybe equally important and unprecedented, support is being delivered by a U.S. PLS.

Regarding the SIM card part of your question, when you speak with a sales person at the AT&T store, ask them about their data-only 250 MB plan. When last checked, this was only $15/mo. Don't use the SIM card for anything other than RTK corrections; however, as you can quickly burn through that amount when doing software/firmware updates. For updates use your WiFi communications - see page 49 in the User's Guide to the Triumph-LS (v20140923, website edition).

Bottom line, if I were in your shoes and in a state like yours that offers a real RTN, the Triumph-LS would be the first choice for my company. As to how Leica stacks up against Javad, I've never looked into it, but would very much like to hear how you make out and what your impressions and assessments are after you've done a side by side comparison.

Kind regards,

Kelly