Quote of the Day - GTS-905A

Smaller-Lighter-Faster-Longer. The Topcon GTS 900 series of robotic total stations is the latest and most advanced system on the market today that boasts a completely new modern design, faster motors, wireless technology and X TRAC prism tracking technology.

The one touch quick locking X TRAC system set the standard for remote target acquisition in the robotics industry. Now this feature has been further refined to assure longer ranges, and faster target acquisition. The wireless RC-3 that is at the heart of the system increases range, utilizes the same batteries as the FC-200 field controller.

Available in 1, 3, and 5 second angle accuracies, gives you the option to select the accuracy that best fits your requirements. The 900 series offers flexibility, performance and industry leading technology all in one package. Take one for a test drive today.

The X-TRAC 7 robotic system upgrade is now available for the IS instrument. This enhancement to firmware and software affects the robotic tracking, quick-lock, radios, and data collector performance.

Features Include:

• Innovative, completely cable-free system design
• New RC-3 with Superior XTRAC™ Quick-Lock tracking technology
• Integrated interference free 2.4 GHz SpSp robotic data communications
• New FC-200 with optional, snap-in radio module
• Faster servo motor technology, faster tracking technology
• Full-color, graphical Windows Mobile instrument & field controller interface
• Lighter weight than the competition

A new, backlit keyboard provides a smart new user interface that combines efficiency and convenience. Standard rechargeable batteries power the entire Topcon instrument and field controller product lines. The new waterproof, dustproof instrument design is ready to live up to Topcon’s strict quality standards, and is ready to take the punishment of even the harshest job site conditions.

With the new 2.4 GHz spread spectrum radio built into the 900 series, off board dedicated channel radios for remote operation are a thing of the past. A startling 1000m range between the instrument and the controller mean that you will never have to worry about communications range between the components of your system.

Get a Quote here

Google Earth + Topcon Tools = Background Imagery

If you want background imagery for a job and Google Earth has good imagery for the area you can pretty easily make it happen.

In Google Earth go to Tools > Options > 3D View and set the Show Lat/Long option to UTM. Center your targeted area and add a pushpin to each corner and the center of the image. Make the icon for the point a dot instead of the pin as your adding the markers by clicking the pin icon next to the name blank and choose the square or circle icon and set the scale to .5. Doing so will make the icons less obtrusive in the resulting image. Copy each point's coordinate on a scratch pad then go to File > Save > Save Image. Save the image and close Google Earth.

Open Topcon Tools, create a new job and edit the job configuration. In Coordinate Systems set the Projection to your UTM zone and set the Coordinate type to grid. Set the units to Meters. Click View > CAD and start adding the points. Once all the points are added change the projection to your state plane zone.

Go to View > Background images and click Add image. Navigate to and add the image from Google Earth. Zoom in to the first point and click Add point. Set the spatial point to the job point's name and hit OK. Repeat for the rest of the points. Once all points are added, hit calculate. Hit Finish, name and save the resulting .jpw file. Transfer both the .jpg and .jpw file to your data collector and add it to your job as an image.

Video coming soon.

Quote of the Day - GPT-3100W

Topcon was the first to bring a completely wireless total station to the surveying industry. Now, with the GPT-3100W series reflectorless total stations, Topcon gives you the convenience of wireless technology on the total stations with the longest reflectorless range in their class. The GPT-3100W series provides the highest measuring precision available due to its dual-optical design, so you get incredible results every time, in all situations.

GPT-3100W Series Features:

• Dual-Optical Design—Reflectorless measuring requires a finely focused beam for pinpoint accuracy. Prisms need a wider pattern to prevent off-center measuring degradation. Topcon’s dual-optical system gives you both for the maximum measuring accuracy all the time.
  
• Precise Pulse-Laser Reflectorless—Topcon’s pulse-laser “ time-of-flight” system eliminates measuring errors caused by the overlapping signals used in phase measuring systems. Accurately measuring corners or through objects such as a chainlink fence is always fast and reliable.
  
• Longest Reflectorless Range—Up to 350m, the longest reflectorless range in its class! Measures up to 3000m with a prism. The dualoptical design allows you the extended range using a class 1 laser— safe for all conditions—making it ideal for use in high-traffic and other heavily populated areas.

Topcon’s GPT-3100W uses a dual laser optics system, one narrow beam for non-prism functions, and a broader beam when using a prism. This stabilizes the beam over long distances providing accurate measurement, even in adverse atmospheric conditions such as heat shimmer.

Get a Quote here

See the IS, Imaging Station at MAPS

Summer MAPS Convention (Mississippi Association of Professional Surveyors)
When: August 1, 2008
Where: Oxford Convention Center (click here for map)
Speaker: Joel Frost
Topic: IS, Imaging Station
Time: 1:30 PM (approx.)

Topcon Positioning Systems and Hayes Instrument Company will be discussing the latest in imaging and scanning technology. This session will include examples of projects using Topcon’s “IS” Imaging Station and Topcon’s GLS-1000 Laser Scanner. With imaging technology becoming more main stream in today’s survey business it is important for the Land Surveyor to understand the positive effects this technology will have on their profession and business.

Topics to be discussed:

• What is imaging technology

• How does it work

• What can it do for my business

• Work flow and processes

• Hands on demonstrations

The class has a 280 seat maximum, so contact MAPS today to reserve a seat. By attending the class you will receive 3 pdh continuing education credits, and a meal. Click here for the MAPS website.

Learn how to Collimate an instrument

Summer MAPS Convention (Mississippi Association of Professional Surveyors)
When: August 1, 2008
Where: Oxford Convention Center (click here for map)
Speaker: Troy Deaton
Topic: Instrument Collimation
Time: 10:30 AM

Troy Deaton, with Hayes Instrument Company, will be at the Summer MAPS convention as a speaker. He will be demonstrating how to do a basic instrument collimation for yourself. He will cover the following:

• Optical plummet adjustment
• Level bubble adjustment
  
• Vertical zero point adjustments
• Double centering error
• Tilt sensor inspection and adjustments
• Prism constants
• EDM accuracy tips

The class has a 280 seat maximum, so contact MAPS today to reserve a seat. By attending the class you will receive 1.5 pdh continuing education credits, and a meal. Click here for the MAPS website.

For anyone who couldn't make it, and for anyone who is not in Mississippi, we will record Troy's performance and have it available at HayesHelp.tv

Also featured at the Mississippi show:
Joel Frost with Topcon will be speaking in depth on the new IS, Imaging Station. Click here for more info.

Installing USB Drivers for Topcon GPS...

The fastest way to connect and download from a Topcon GPS receiver is via the USB port. However a step that often confounds users is the loading of the drivers. Before you even connect the GPS receiver, download the driver zip file from www.hayeshelp.com/downloads.

Extract the file to an easy to find spot on your computer. Next connect the receiver to the computer using the USB cable and turn the unit on.

In most cases a Windows notification bubble will pop up indicating a new device was discovered. The Add New Hardware Wizard should pop up. For the first receiver you install, select “Install from a specific device or location” and click next. Check the box for “Include this location in the search:” Then click browse. Find the folder where the files were extracted to and click ok. Then click next. Shortly a Windows message will pop up warning you that the driver is not signed. Click “continue anyway”. Once the drivers finish installing then click finish. For any other receivers you can now click install automatically to install the drivers.

To test your connection, run PC-CDU and see if USB shows in the Com port pull down.

Go forth and prosper.