I just purchased the kinematic package for the locus I am very excited about this package.Although the rover part is very slow when you have to change a decription in the logger . The main change I would like to see is making the description for a point easier to change, like when you push start after the seconds tick down bring up the description field. I know you guys are working on a win ce version but there are alot of 48 s out there, please upgrade the 48 card also. The card I have says version 1.0 have there not been any upgrades? Locus is a great system.

Locus Kinematic on a PDA?

I wasn't aware such a thing existed. Does it also work for logging static data? What's the cost? Where can I get info on it?

Thanks,

-Greg

What no response on the 48 update from Ashtech? I guess I will be shelling out another couple grand on some new magical handheld with the greatest new software, that might work or might not work, only if you got 8 sat and no solar flares, or trees, signs,bad pdop,etc. I think I might take back this kinematic stuff to many thing have to right.I herd there was a guy doing 600 shots a day they all must have been with in a 100' radius. Maybe its just me but this kinematic stuff not to productive. Static stuff is great though very productive.

Dave,

He either wasn't moving or wasn't changing the descriptor cuz I don't think you can do both and get 600 shots in a 24 hour period. Of course now that I have said this somebody will test it out and tell us just how many descriptor points can be done in 24 hours.

My suggestion is to forget the Kinematic bar and just use a static point for init., even thought this is a bit different from instructions. Also you have to watch the times closely for good PDOP in planning software. But yeah, sunspots are a problem....check in at SpaceWeather.com


Jimbo

Dave,

Sorry to hear Locus kinematic is not working out for you. You are correct in your assessment that kinematic surveying requires more care during data collection as compared to static. But, if you abide by the rules, Locus kinematic can be very productive. Not all areas are suited for kinematic data collection. If your project site includes a number of obstructions (trees, signs, etc) that will cause you to frequently loose lock on satellites, you will have difficulties with kinematic data collection.

If you would like to talk a bit more about kinematic data collection, send me an email with your phone number and I'll give you a call. We'll try and work through some of the problems you are encountering.

Regarding, the 600 shots a day, I cannot personally vouch for this level of productivity since I personally have never seen an example BUT I do happen to have in my possession a data set where the user collected 500 points in a 5 hour period. The project site was a very large mound of wood chips. The user was determining the volume. I'd be happy to email the project file to anyone who would like to see it. So, with 500 points in 5 hours, I could imagine 600 points in a day.

Finally, regarding Locus Handheld and the HP48, here is what I can say. There has been a number of postings here talking about new handheld software running under Windows CE. I can confirm that such a product is under development and that a prototype was shown at ACSM in Las Vegas. Secondly, Locus Handheld on the HP48 will most probably see little in the way of new features.

Hope this helps.

Bill Martin
Ashtech Precision Products

sorry about the negativity of the post was having a bad day, I was hoping to be a little more productive with the kinematic stuff anyway we will work trough it.

Bill,

I don't doubt the 600 shots (30 seconds per in 5 hours), but I WOULD DOUBT 600 SHOTS WITH DIFFERENT DESCRIPTIONS for each. It is just real slow to change the descriptors, partly hardware partly software.

Jimbo

The best I've done is about 400 shots in six hours.. Wide open field and not much changing up the codes.. pick a ditch line and run it out both sides then on to another code.. But I did it by myself..
The new platform should be a step up because I know Ashtech always has their ear to the ground.

Steve G

Long ago, and in a galaxy far away, I used to do stadia topo's. Often we'd be working in 20°F below. Note keeping was a major impediment.

I bought a cheap tape recorder and "read" my shots & explanitory notes into a lapel mike. Then the notes were transcribed into the field book in the warmth of the office, with bare feet & coffee!

If I were trying to do a major kinematic topo with lots of descriptor change, I believe I'd just ignore the point discriptors, break out the tape recorder & make the changes in a word processor in the office.

ALWAYS more than one way to do things.

Jerry

Jerry,

I wondered if anyone had ever done that. I considered the very same thing for years but always chickened out before trying it. Always afraid the batteries would play out, the tape would jam, accidental "turn off"....

Just pessimistic I guess. I may try yet.

J.D.

Steve and Bill,

Didn't mean to come off as negative criticism because I do like my LOCUS units and K Pkg. a lot. And Ashtech does pay attention and this board is proof !!!