Need accurate device/solution

[JohnyBeGood]

Hi all,

 

I need some ideas and suggestions. I'm working for a water company and I'm trying to figure out what's the best solution for recording water meter locations. That info would be stored in customers account, then if needed in the future that info would be entered into GPS or device and meter would be easily located.

 

Since location of water meters in the ground can very from a middle of forest to busy city road it is really important that location is accurate. I've read that GPS WAAS enabled devices can be really accurate.

 

Any suggestion is greatly appreciated!

[+Map Monkey]

I would be looking at the pro-level, Trimble GeoXT 2008, which has the accuracy (<1m) expected of data entered into an accurate GIS database. Price is comparable to features, quality and accuracy.

 

mm

[+Indotguy]

I'm not sure what your limits of accuracy are. Consumer grade handheld GPS units are normally advertised to have an average position error of about three meters.

[+DustyWalker]

The advice on the Trimble is right on the money. We use them at work for data collection.

Edited October 1, 2008 by DustyWalker

[Motorcycle_Mama]

Magellan also has a new Pro series that might fit this need. But Trimble is definitely the gold standard.

[+trainlove]

Magellan also has a new Pro series that might fit this need. But Trimble is definitely the gold standard.

 

Yes,

But I'd avoid Magellan at all costs. But I imagine that their Professional GIS products are professionally supported LOL. After all you have to spend really big bucks for any military P-code capable receiver, and be licensed also.

[+Damin69]

As all have stated above for the most part. Trimble Line all the way. We have several trimble units where I work we use to locate/document As-built data for Wind Farms we design. As stated above the better the accuracy the higher the price of the units. Trimble has Survey grade GPS units that are <10mm accuracy we use the sub meter units and with Post processing can be less than 6" depending on how long we collected data over our point.

[+GPSlug]

Any company with survey quality receivers will have a lower product line for GIS - Trimble, Topcon, Leica, Sokkia, Magellan, etc. So if your broader organization has some of this stuff already, you might want to get the same kind just for simplicity if you want to share equipment or software packages. It might get you a better price from the dealer too.

 

Yes, But I'd avoid Magellan at all costs. But I imagine that their Professional GIS products are professionally supported LOL.

Magellan's professional products are practically a different company. At least in terms of product lineage. Thales bought both Magellan and Ashtech and combined them under the Magellan name.

 

After all you have to spend really big bucks for any military P-code capable receiver, and be licensed also.

Survey equipment is generally more accurate than what the military uses. No license involved.

[JohnyBeGood]

Big thanks to all of you!

 

I'll try to answer couple of questions.

 

Like I said I'm trying to find the best solution. I'm sure <1m accuracy will make lots of jaws drop, but with that of course comes nice price tag. I'll be putting together a presentation of accuracy vs. price and let my menagment decide what's the best. Also, I'll be trying to convice them that GIS is way to go in the future.

I've already contacted Trimble and Magellan Pro department http://pro.magellangps.com/en/ , both suppose to get back to me with the best solutions.

From what I've read so far Trimble is top brand when it comes to accuracy but Topcon's Millimeter GPS http://www.topconpositioning.com/products/...r-gps-plus.html is also impressing.