What concept would fit better for your applications?

[Sdrake14]

I find this question valuable. I have to say that the thing that initially caught my attention with the Javad form back in 2014 was the all in one unit, it's uniqueness, and I am glad I tried it and think it is far superior to the 1990's operating form of a separate controller for reasons already mentioned, and some not. I love this technology and machine, it has revolutionized my wok systems. Going back is, well, going back. One thing I think it is lacking in is that with most of the other GNSS venders you can use the control software to work with terrestrial equipment, like total station, which is still very relevant for many survey situations/applications. I know we were developing JMate to sort of fill this gap, now apparently on ice, but even that I think has some short comings in the terrestrial area of measuring and I really wish I could use my JField application in a merged way with a total station. I know there is all sort of propriatory reasons working with many brands is prohibitive, but how about a JAVAD branded total station, even many companies such as Carlson just rebrand models manufactured by others. I think this is a key element keeping many surveyors from considering JAVAD....

 

[Clay Davidson]

I find this question valuable. I have to say that the thing that initially caught my attention with the Javad form back in 2014 was the all in one unit, it's uniqueness, and I am glad I tried it and think it is far superior to the 1990's operating form of a separate controller for reasons already mentioned, and some not. I love this technology and machine, it has revolutionized my wok systems. Going back is, well, going back. One thing I think it is lacking in is that with most of the other GNSS venders you can use the control software to work with terrestrial equipment, like total station, which is still very relevant for many survey situations/applications. I know we were developing JMate to sort of fill this gap, now apparently on ice, but even that I think has some short comings in the terrestrial area of measuring and I really wish I could use my JField application in a merged way with a total station. I know there is all sort of propriatory reasons working with many brands is prohibitive, but how about a JAVAD branded total station, even many companies such as Carlson just rebrand models manufactured by others. I think this is a key element keeping many surveyors from considering JAVAD....

I totally agree, this stops most people from buying. It is super handy to use the same data collector between gps, robot, and total station.

However I haven't set my robot up 10 times in 4 years since switching to JAVAD.

Switching seamlessly between equipment is really nice tho.

 

[Steve Douty]

This is slightly off topic; but I am going to comment here (with apologizes) because I feel it is related.

I believe the whole system would be enhanced if there was a (T-3, LS, LS+.....) emulator for our computer/laptop/tablet. I sometimes am reviewing a project and even though I have processed and downloaded everything and can read the report and use the coordinates, I would like to DEPOS the data again to reevaluate the results. I may have discovered a bad height of base/rover, decided that I would like revisit the RTK/RTPK/PPK/CORS decision, drill down on a cluster average decision or create an ALTA relative position report or other reports. In order to do this I must take a unit out of the field, stop the field work while I use RAMS to reprocess, or wait until the unit returns to the office (or a rain day) to continue.

A LS or LS+ emulator would allow me set up action profiles, look more closely at the data without losing field production and could be used for training and review.

It would be nice if this was just part of the package at no extra cost. However I would be willing to purchase an emulator at some rational price point. I think an emulator would look like the RAMS system looks now.

Now- if you have been paying attention to the rules. You know that Santa will be watching you for a full year to see if you have been naughty. And you know you are going to foul it up; thereby failing to be nice for a full year. Therefore you may as well start being naughty as soon as posable. It would be a shame to be punished for minor sins, when you could enjoy major naughtiness all year long for the same penalty! Start preparing for a disappointing Christmas 2022 NOW!

 

[Clay Davidson]

I'm for all in one. No more neck cramps looking down at the data collector. It's 1 thing on the rod instead of 2. JECI solves problems for when LS is out of reach.

Maybe sell a separate controller for those who would want that opinion. Then would you have to download the rover as well as the base to DEPOS? Would RTPK work in the data collector?

A Data Collector could be handy for office personnel to open LS jobs when the LS is in the field, to be able to look at and manipulate data.

 

[avoidthelloyd]

The all in one unit was a MAJOR factor in my proselytizing to Javad. There are ±8,600 other brands and units one can go to if they must have that feature. I would rather Javad invest whatever capital they are considering to do this and improve the all in one unit. Have the next one with a brighter and larger screen and be able to utilize voice recognition and receive corrections in new ways, etc. Having only one thing to carry in my hands through the woods that will do anything I need makes my work day nicer. Saying all this, I don't have a crew and have to share... haha. I have NEVER regretted the absence of the data collector hanging on the pole. Especially since we can see the screen on our phone. My 2 cents.

 

[ZTkowasz]

Overall I prefer all in one, however I do think the ultimate compromise would allow the "faceplate" or screen to be removed from the current configuration of the LS. Still an all in one unit that won't snag on brush and is convenient to charge, however if you need to send the receiver up on a rod to get a shot or make computations without the bulk, you can simply unclip or remove the screen.

 

[Jim Frame]

however if you need to send the receiver up on a rod to get a shot or make computations without the bulk

Have you tried JERCI? It allows you to do all that with your phone without having to unclip anything. It's pretty slick!

 

[ZTkowasz]

Have you tried JERCI? It allows you to do all that with your phone without having to unclip anything. It's pretty slick!

Last I knew it was not supported by apple

 

[Michael N. Sprouffske]

All in one with Jerci works well for me. Nothing to get hung up in the brush.

 

[Jim Frame]

Last I knew it was not supported by apple

Solid Android devices (phones and tablets) can be had for peanuts, new and used. Cell service is not required to run JERCI, it connects via Bluetooth. There's no need to let an Apple addiction stand in the way of using JERCI!

 

[avoidthelloyd]

Last I knew it was not supported by apple

As Jim said, you prolly got an Android phone in your junk drawer. I was annoyed at first by this, but once I realized that I didn't have to tie my iPhone up and I could do other business and make calls while the "little" phone was controlling the unit, it makes it so much better.

 

[Glen Yasharian]

Being able to communicate with a non-Javad data collector like Carlson has been discussed on other threads as well. I believe Carlson SurvCE GPS software can be used as a controller with Javad hardware. How difficult would it be to send at txt file of points from the LS to a Carlson data collector using Bluetooth? I often work without cell service and without internet. Being able to send points from the LS to my robot setup without downloading them to a thumb drive would be helpful. Adding an Android phone and new software to the mix just seems more complicated for an old dog.

 

[Robert Jordan]

I prefer the all-in-one form factor.

 

[avoidthelloyd]

This original post was from a couple years ago now and looking back on it, it appears to me that Javad and Co moved forward with the JMT and traditional setups instead of investing as much in J-Field and the LS+ since then... even though it was nearly unanimous that we preferred the all-in-one unit. It was most obvious when the new units would not even work with J-Field or the LS. That was one of the major selling points for me. One thing to carry.

I do understand that we surveyor's have got to be a very small percentage of their market base and therefore I can understand investing in other tech than mostly our little niche.