I'm going to purchase a dual frequency gear, and by now I'm thinking in buying a gps 1200 from leica (their marketing got me ;) but now I saw the Z-Max and Fast survey info, and I believe that this equipment make almost the same thing that I want in the 1200 (bad marketing from magellan guys). So, i'm asking you guys how is your experience with the Z-Max. in example, can I do this with it: survey two points, after that, in the same job, without any further processing, take those points as a reference to staking out a land strip perpendicular to that reference?

Javier Martinez

For several reasons, I'd recommend the Z-Max over the Leica 1200. First and foremost...cost! Secondly, you can operate the Z-max with "Carlson" FASTSurvey on an independant data collector. Just click an option, and you can still use any existing total station you may already own without ever leaving the job file! Try doing that with the Leica keyboard. Leica stores all their job files on a compact flash card in the receiver, not on a data collector. Not very handy when you want to do some prep work or calcs in the truck on the way to the job. I've always preferred the "Windows" environment of TDS and Carlson over the "Configuration/Mission" environment of Leica.

Yes, you can use the COGO functions in FASTSurvey to perform the real-time stakeout exactly as you describe. To me, TDS has more intuitive COGO commands than FASTSurvey, but it is still easy to follow. You'll sometimes have to be careful with the FASTSurvey COGO, as there are a few bugs when trying to define rotations and bearings (it will throw an unwanted negative sign if you try to rotate a job by defined endpoints instead of bearings), but nothing you can't quickly overcome. Every package out there has it's own nuances.

The ZMax will come with unlimited, free tech support and upgrades. I'm not sure the same can be said about Leica. I've used both systems, and they both work well. Neither is quite as outstanding as the promotional literature would have you believe, but that's the reality of equipment in real-world working conditions. That said, they are both outstanding pieces of equipment. The only real problem I've had with THALES/Magellan was with the contracted service department down in Texas (AutoCraft Electronics in Carrollton, TX, I believe), but it sounds like that link in the chain has been removed with the transition to Magellan from THALES. The tech support has always been outstanding.

Also, if you ever plan to integrate some single-freq equipment into your arsenal, Magellan beats everyone else, hands-down. Good luck with the decision. And if you really want the technology behind a 1200, save yourself a few grand and buy a SOKKIA 2700. To me, the biggest downside of Leica is they try to make everything so proprietary, you're forced into using the software and hardware they want you to use. On the other hand, Magellan's greatest strength is it's compatibility with other manufacturers. You're free to mix software and hardware to your needs, and you can easliy incorporate old equipment into the plan. I'm using our 18-year old Pentax PTS-3 with the ZMax files and collector.

Thank you Eric for your comments,

the cost is obviously an important subject, for that reason when I knew about z-max I was very interested because its much more accessible price. But I had to find the Fast Survey manual in the FTP site of magellan to learn about what this equipment can make (brochure is not very detailed). Another thing that not convinces to me yet is the design and the equipment's weight. it doesn't please me the idea to walk in the field, carrying more than two kg ;) now a question: somebody has experience operating Z-Max with a Leica Disto or a Laser Atlanta to store offsets points?.

Javier Martinez

The laser works with the carlson software just as any other GNSS. the zmax or leica do not integrat with the disto the data collector does. On another note about weight, all on the pole began in 1991-1992 with the dimensions and sr299 however equipment migrated to expandability ie all on the pole or remote location via backpack. Magellan ZMAX still does that. With leica or the trimble r8 or sokkia 2700 that is it. So if a project comes up where the receiver has to be mounted a distance away from the antenna you can't. regardless you are making a significant investment and should have all options available.

Buy the Leica--any business that puts marketing before service and reliability meets my minimum standard for desired competition.

In my opinion, I'd like a third point for redundancy but two-points do define a line (basis of bearing/reference) and since "perpendicular"--assuming parallel to a reference line--is the definition of your desired stake-out criteria......

Buy the Z-Max -- Long Range RTK up to 50km is fast, really fast. And with the combo modems, you can switch from UHF to GSM with a simple command.

And if you do, get it with the MobileMapper CE controller with FAST Survey. It has a built-in submeter GPS so you can use it stand alone or with any total station.
Cable free all on the pole works great if you are doing data collection, for stake out, get the optional backpack kit.

thank you all for the comments,

I think that I'll buy the ZMax, now I'm wondering which controller will be the best, certainly the MobilleMapper has a submeter gps engine, but as Eric says, for him, TDS has more intuitive COGO commands, what it's your opinion on this. can I install TDS software on the MobileMapper? Which are those bugs that eric indicates? are those bugs important?

Javier Martinez
Modified By Javier Martinez on 2/14/2007 at 1:20 PM

Javier,

Depending on the type of collection you will be performing, you may find it nice to have a full keyboard of characters (both alpha and numerical). If so, you'd be wise to go with an Allegro by Juniper Systems, loaded with FASTSurvey. Sure, I miss some of the TDS features, but an Allegro with FASTSurvey will allow you unlimited upgrades and technical support. This would not be the case with TDS. I compare the two to an automatic car versus a manual transmission. TDS seemed to allows you to have a little more direct control over some things, whereas FASTSurvey takes a lot of the intermediate steps out of the loop and gets you to the end result quicker -- not always a bad thing. In the end, with proper procedures, they both provide good results.

I believe a Mobile Mapper would require you to use an on-screen touch-pad keyboard. Not the most convenient thing in the world, but certainly serviceable.

The Allegro is a nice piece of equipment. It will talk with almost any total station out there. And, as an added bonus, you can load up some .wav files and jam out to some tunes throughout the day. Perfect for those long summer hours. As far as the bugs, I just think there are some global variables in the software that occasionaly insert a negative value where it doesn't belong. This happens in COGO's point projection and point rotation commands, depending on how you execute them. It really hasn't been a big deal. As long as you check your calcs before hitting the ground running (which everyone should do anyway), you won't have a problem.

thank you for all the comments and suggestions, it was very informative and useful.

I will enjoy playing with this toys ;)

Javier Martinez