Trimble 4800/4700 ashtech Z-xtreme comparison
Posted By Doug Kwater on 11/26/2000 at 9:24 PM

My company is looking to buy another GPS-RTK system. We have a Trimble 4800/4700 system already, and are happy with it all except the loss of signal near trees. It can take forever to acquire a signal for locked RTK. I know there are better systems out there but would really like it to be a all on the pole like the 4800. I would like to know if anyone has used the Ashtech Z-Xtreme system all on the pole and if they like it or not.
Doug Kwater
Party Chief
Anderson Bogert Engineers & Surveyors


Re: Trimble 4800/4700 ashtech Z-xtreme comparison
Posted By STEPHEN PICKFORD on 11/27/2000 at 5:06 AM

Doug

We've just finished trialing the 4800 and the Leica, and my report is here:
http://www.forumboard.net/1635/messages/799.html

Yet we have heard very good reports about the x-treme from others, one is here:

http://www.mailgate.org/sci/sci.engr.surveying/msg02905.html

steve

I would suggest you immediatley revise your plans and check out the Ashtetch
Z-Extreme. We were days from buying the Leica 500 series (it is a great
product) and decided to take another look. Actual side by side comparison
showed:
1) Z-Extreme has faster acquistion (better lock in trees).
2) 3-4 times the battery life (a single LITHIUM-ION BATTERY)
3) Much, much more rugged controller (TDS Ranger)...interchangeable with tds
software data collectors on a touch screen windows CE platform.
4) Radio inside the rover receiver (no cables)

We have spent nearly 18 months trying to evaluate, renting, testing etc. I am
convinced that the Ashtech systems is now superior to Leica's.

The ranger will go from the Ashtech reciever to our Sokkia Set 3 & 4. We have
also transfered data files from our HP 41cx (with TDS) to the Ranger for
earthwork stakeout in a matter of minutes in the field.

Outstanding product with outstanding tech support.

Dave

I must admit I am getting very excited about it too, we might even ignore the Javad!

steve




Re: Trimble 4800/4700 ashtech Z-xtreme comparison
Posted By David Cook on 11/27/2000 at 5:42 AM

I get the strange feeling that Leica might get bumped of their lofty perch with the Ashtech x-treme, because there hasnt been anything that could touch it for years!!
I like the idea of a dattalogger that can connect to a traditional instrument.


Re: Trimble 4800/4700 ashtech Z-xtreme comparison
Posted By Doug Kwater on 11/27/2000 at 6:33 PM

you said that you really liked it? How much is a complete RTK setup all on the pole unit run(ballpark) and do you like it so far.



Re: Trimble 4800/4700 ashtech Z-xtreme comparison
Posted By STEPHEN PICKFORD on 11/28/2000 at 3:09 AM

Sorry Doug, that wasnt my experince, but just a quote that I read on another board. I'm just as keen to find some info as well.

I found the message here:
http://www.mailgate.org/sci/sci.engr.surveying/msg02905.html




Pricing the Z-Xtreme
Posted By Mike Margolis on 11/28/2000 at 7:26 AM

May I suggest you contact your local Ashtech rep for specific pricing, there are a lot of ways we custom configure a system specifically for you.

You can email me at mmargolis@ashtech.com with your location and I will refer you off to the proper Sales Manager for your geographich area.

Mike Margolis
Ashtech Northeast USA