by Dent Cermak » Thu Oct 10, 2013 3:23 pm
We are currently evaluating a copy of SurvPC and, so far, are impressed with what we see. SurvPC is basically the same as SurvCE, just set up to run in a true Windows environment, PLUS the added benefit of the graphic capabilities that are built into SurvPC.
CRight now we are running Carlson Field on Toughbook computers in ordef to get those graphic capabilities. If you can watch the plan draw as you shoot the features you can see if you have shot everything and hopefully not have to return to the site later to fix things. Using SurvPC on the toughbooks gives the field crews the SurvCE screens and commands that they are familiar with, allows them to fold the Toughbook screen around and use the touch screen option for easier use AND gives them full graphic capabilities and checks. This is a win-win situation for us.
BUT, the Toughbooks are a little more cumbersome then the handhelds. The Supervisor is an awesome data collector but has a much smaller screen. It's screen size vs ease of handeling I guess. It's a coin flip because both of these pieces of hardware run about the same price.
IF you want graphic capabilities (the BEST QA/QC tool available to a surveyor) and a smaller unit to tote around, then the Supervisor with Carlson PC is exactly what you are looking for. It has enough drawing power that you need only SurvPC on the data collector. You can import DGN's, Google stuff, DWG's or what ever else type of file that you need and draw with the image in the background. Heck, you can even do your contouring on the thing!! Loading your other drafting software onto the Supervisor is going to eat up a LOT of hard disc space and may not be necessary.
Call Aafon Newman and twist his arm to get you a walk through demo of what SurvPC and the Suoervisor will do. (You will probably need to go through Aaron, because we are in training and demo limbo in our part of the country. There's no reputable VAR for our state. By "reputable" I simply mean a VAR that knows enough about the equipment to competently demo it or support it after the sale. There are a bunch of guys around that will sell you the stuff, but everything ends right there.)
There's my 2 cents worth.