topic Re: Collector with Trimble R2- record correct GNSS Receiver name to metadata? in ArcGIS Collector Questions

Collector with Trimble R2- record correct GNSS Receiver name to metadata?

AaronWorthley1 — Thu, 24 Jan 2019 20:48:13 GMT

I'm setting up a Trimble R2 to work with Collector on a Samsung Android phone. I've connected to the receiver via Trimble's GNSS Status App, left Collector on "Integrated Receiver" (I havn't found great instructions, but this appears to be the way it works even though selecting the R2 as location provider is an option). In collector, I appear to be getting the correct GNSS positions from the R2 rather than the phone, but when I record a point, the GNSS metadata entry for Receiver Name is the phone, not the R2. How do I get the right receiver name to record so that I can confirm that the correct receiver was used for the data collection after the fact?

I tried with iOS and found that it DOES work there to connect to the R2 in Collector, and the Receiver is correctly recorded in the metadata attribute. If I try to connect to the R2 in Android (8.0), the Receiver disconnects in GNSS Status, and no position is shown in Collector.

Re: Collector with Trimble R2- record correct GNSS Receiver name to metadata?

LanceCole — Fri, 25 Jan 2019 03:32:25 GMT

I have only used iPads with a Leica GPS but will offer some direction. No idea if android and Trimble are the same.

Exit all apps on your android
Power on your GPS
Pair the GPS to your android device via BlueTooth
Start the Trimble Status App
Open Collector and go to Settings
In settings select Provider
There should be a “+” in the top corner, press
Your Trimble unit should now be listed, select
Input required info, press Done
Most important, select the GPS you just added so the check mark is next to it. It does not do this when added.
Press Settings to go back to Collector

You may need to change the order depending upon your hardware.

Re: Collector with Trimble R2- record correct GNSS Receiver name to metadata?

AaronWorthley1 — Fri, 25 Jan 2019 14:02:14 GMT

Yea, I've been able to do that successfully on iOS.

On Android, if I follow these steps GNSS status disconnects from the R2, and starts using the onboard gps/location services, and no position is shown in Collector. If I connect GNSS Status to the R2 with mock locations enabled, and use the integrated receiver setting in Collector, then the R2 positions seems to be showing in Collector, but the metadata recorded to the hosted feature service says it's from the Samsung receiver.

Most of the third party documentation I've found is 3-4 years old, so I can't tell if some of the issues are related to new procedures resulting from more current software and OS, or something else. Neither Trimble nor ESRI seems to have good step by step instructions for Android, at least that I have been able to find.

Re: Collector with Trimble R2- record correct GNSS Receiver name to metadata?

AaronWorthley1 — Fri, 25 Jan 2019 14:22:50 GMT

I might have got it running correctly finally- I think the issue had to do with NMEA configuration. Not exactly sure what made the difference as I kept tweaking various settings/configurations until it started working by connecting to the R2 as location provider in Collector.

Re: Collector with Trimble R2- record correct GNSS Receiver name to metadata?

LanceCole — Fri, 25 Jan 2019 14:46:32 GMT

Yes, Collector needs the correct NEMA settings you also need to set up the profile for your GPS to use it with collector. Here is link for the setup of a high accuracy GPS with Collector Classic: Use high-accuracy GPS—Collector for ArcGIS (Classic) | ArcGIS. Also here is a list of supported NEMA strings: GPS receiver support—Collector for ArcGIS (Classic) | ArcGIS.

Below are screen shots on my NEMA settings and the profile settings in collector. Keep in mind these are for a Leica GPS (your screen will look different) and the VRS network I am using for the profile. Our VRS network is using GCS NAD 1983 2011 and ArcGIS Collector is using WGS_1984_Web Mercator Auxliary Sphere with the appropriate transformation applied.

Sorry I cannot be more helpful as I am not familure with the Trimble units. It took me a good bit of time and a lot of testing to get our system working with the Leica unit.

Re: Collector with Trimble R2- record correct GNSS Receiver name to metadata?

AaronWorthley1 — Fri, 25 Jan 2019 16:09:48 GMT

Good bit of time is right! Thanks for offering what you can. I think I've narrowed in on it. Trimble instructions on setting up NMEA output are terrible and mostly non-existent.

For anyone running into this- I found starting it important to set the NMEA in GNSS Status following a very specific order. On GNSS Status NMEA page, right arrow to activate all NMEA sentences, "Save" in upper right, "Apply", select Bluetooth 1. At some point I had set NMEA to Bluetooth 2, and that was causing all kinds of havoc and it wasn't evident or intuitive on why or how to clear it out. At various points GNSS status disconnects from the R2, and needs to be reconnected from the Source page to continue setup. Once NMEA setting and correction services are set up in GNSS Status, then close out of that app completely before starting Collector and going through the location provider/profile setup and firing up your map.

Re: Collector with Trimble R2- record correct GNSS Receiver name to metadata?

AaronWorthley1 — Mon, 04 Feb 2019 13:54:10 GMT

A last update: I never got my R2 to work correctly with the Galaxy s9+ running Android oreo (8.0). Trimble support insists that NMEA is not necessary, and that their GNSS Status/GNSS Direct apps handle the translation between the R2 and Collector (classic). I could not get it to work, and Trimble Support just kept insisting via emails after several day delays that it works. I was able to connect to the R2 with GNSS status, set up corrections and get a good position. However, after setting the location provider to the bluetooth R2 in Collector, GNSS status would lose it's connection to the R2 as soon as you open the map in Collector, then you get no position in collector.

It does work using NMEA as I previously described, but using this method you can not receive corrections via NTRIP, or presumably any other non-SBAS correction method...that just makes the R2 a really expensive R1.

You can also use mock locations to send the corrected location to Collector, but in that case the receiver name recorded in the feature service metadata is incorrect- the devices integrated receiver (in my case :Samsung...) is listed instead of the R2. Neither of these were acceptable solutions for our workflow.

Ultimately, I ended up abandoning the Android device and am switching to Apple devices. I've tested on the iPhone 8 and it appears to function as promised. The new Collector app handles corrections internally, so when that is fully functional it will probably be the best solution, and ESRI appears to develop for iOS before Android.

Trimble Support wins no customer service awards through this process-In several communications they didn't seem to even know the specs or operating procedures of their own equipment and software. If you're taking this on, be prepared to figure it out yourself.

Re: Collector with Trimble R2- record correct GNSS Receiver name to metadata?

KevinBurke — Tue, 14 May 2019 01:43:24 GMT

Hi Aaron,

I understand that at this point you've switched over to iOS, however just as a follow-up to this issue on Android, were you working with Collector on Android 18.0.3 (the released version) or the Collector Aurora Beta version on Android?

Thanks

-Kevin

Re: Collector with Trimble R2- record correct GNSS Receiver name to metadata?

AaronWorthley1 — Wed, 15 May 2019 20:05:22 GMT

The released version. I don’t recall what now, but the Android Aurora beta was missing some feature or functionality I required.

Re: Collector with Trimble R2- record correct GNSS Receiver name to metadata?

LaneHartman — Tue, 21 May 2019 17:52:02 GMT

I've run into what appears to be this same issue. Whenever we open the map in Collector (latest version on Google Play) on Android, the connection to the R2 receiver is lost and the GNSS positions are from the device. We tried more than 5 times with the same result every time. We use the same configuration without issue on several other devices, but this is the first one to behave in this manner. I believe the device is a Samsung Galaxy 10.

Re: Collector with Trimble R2- record correct GNSS Receiver name to metadata?

JacobWittenberg — Tue, 03 Sep 2019 23:36:03 GMT

I know this is older but were you ever able to get this working with Collector Classic on Android?

Just curious what versions your were on:

GNSS Status
R2 Firmware
Collector
Trimble GNSS Direct

Also, did you have the Trimble GNSS Direct app installed? (This is a service application for GNSS Status and the GNSS Direct SDK)

If I remember correct the GNSS Status/Direct does not require Mock location or NMEA because the GNSS Direct SDK connects the applications together behind the scenes.

As with any setup like this (no matter what brand receiver) there is a lot of technology happening at once. However, I was just outside with this configuration providing an estimated 7CM precision with a subfoot R2 receiver. GNSS Status is providing the same estimated precision as Collector. Also, it's populating the metadata fields correctly with the R2's info for device and "accuracy". I'm wondering if there wasn't just a bug with an older version app or firmware that you were using?

Re: Collector with Trimble R2- record correct GNSS Receiver name to metadata?

MaxHamby — Wed, 04 Sep 2019 21:34:42 GMT

I'm not the OP, but I've tried for the last couple of weeks (off & on) to get this working for a couple of field crews on several platforms (Windows 10, iOS, and Android) using the latest versions of everything (apps, firmware, etc). My experience mirrors Aaron Worthley's as described on Feb 4 above:

"I was able to connect to the R2 with GNSS status, set up corrections and get a good position. However, after setting the location provider to the bluetooth R2 in Collector, GNSS status would lose it's connection to the R2 as soon as you open the map in Collector, then you get no position in collector."

In my case, messing with the NMEA settings did nothing.

The only one that even remotely seems to work is iOS.

TBH, I'm demoing a Trimble R2 unit for purchase (was planning on purchasing approx. 3) and unless someone can provide a silver bullet, I guess I'll start looking for an alternative. Trimble's lack of support and documentation on the process is also astounding (basically just telling the trimble rep I'm dealing with "it works and Collector v18.03 has direct integration with the R2").

Re: Collector with Trimble R2- record correct GNSS Receiver name to metadata?

JacobWittenberg — Wed, 04 Sep 2019 21:54:40 GMT

Hi Max, we have quite a few successful deployments on Android. I'd be curious to hear more about what Android device you've tested with?

You should only need to configure the Trimble R2's NMEA output option when utilziing Collector for ArcGIS on a Windows 10 device.

If you are using Android then the Trimble R2 requires you to download and install the GNSS Status applicaiton and the GNSS Direct application.

Can you please confrim the following versions?

Android OS
GNSS Status
GNSS Direct
Collector
R2 Firmware

-Jacob

Re: Collector with Trimble R2- record correct GNSS Receiver name to metadata?

AaronWorthley1 — Wed, 04 Sep 2019 21:55:42 GMT

I never got the Android configuration to work- I was in the middle of purchasing equipment, so gave up and returned the android devices while I still could.

I switched to iOS and have had good luck through this past field season. We're running 4 iPhone XR/Trimble R2 setups in our shop. The only issue we've had with the hardware is occasional unexplained battery weirdness from the R2s. They can turn on unexpectedly, batteries can get misaligned in the battery tray, and once we pulled 2 batteries of a live charger (lights on), got to a site and found both batteries were dead.

GNSS Status is only slightly useful as a troubleshooting tool if something is out of whack. Once everything is properly configured, there is no need for it.

After my experience, I wouldn't wish managing multiple platforms on anyone. BUT, I don't expect it gets any simpler with another manufacturer.

Trimble support is terrible. No other word for it. They only communicate through the dealers. And in my area, they keep dropping dealers- I'm now having to move to my third dealer in 5 years. The dealers I've worked with try and are very nice, but don't have enough experience to help troubleshoot beyond the stock answers, and sometimes aren't even able to translate the issue/response correctly to/from Trimble. It's extremely frustrating, especially for a long-time Trimble customer. I'm likely to try the Eos Arrow next time we purchase equipment and hope for better support.

Re: Collector with Trimble R2- record correct GNSS Receiver name to metadata?

JacobWittenberg — Wed, 04 Sep 2019 22:04:41 GMT

Hi Guys -I'm sorry to hear of your experiences! Let me see if I can put together a quick video in the next week or so that goes through the setup and configuration.

- Jacob

Re: Collector with Trimble R2- record correct GNSS Receiver name to metadata?

MaxHamby — Thu, 05 Sep 2019 13:51:07 GMT

Android OS = v8 & v9 (Oreo & Pie)
GNSS Status = 3.0.6.642
GNSS Direct = 3.1.0.0375
Collector = 18.03
R2 Firmware = 5.42

I've tried using a Samsung Galaxy s7 & s9+. Both experience the same issue. Start GNSS status and confirm that the receiver has connected. Start Collector (R2 is configured as the current receiver), and I immediately receive the notification from GNSS Status :

Then Collector throws:

Not using/using the mock location method changes nothing.

Re: Collector with Trimble R2- record correct GNSS Receiver name to metadata?

MaxHamby — Thu, 05 Sep 2019 16:08:21 GMT

Thanks, Jacob! Any help you're willing to give is greatly appreciated!

Re: Collector with Trimble R2- record correct GNSS Receiver name to metadata?

AndyCostello — Mon, 10 Feb 2020 20:14:30 GMT

Hey Jacob, I am running into the same issue. Has there been any solution found for android devices disconnecting from the R2?

Re: Collector with Trimble R2- record correct GNSS Receiver name to metadata?

deleted-user-CCwlRz1p1P2h — Thu, 05 Mar 2020 17:51:16 GMT

Hey Jacob, I am experiencing the same issue. Any resolution to this?

Re: Collector with Trimble R2- record correct GNSS Receiver name to metadata?

AndyCostello — Thu, 05 Mar 2020 18:16:07 GMT

Hey Dan, I have finally found a resolution to this issue. Something in the Collector application's coding doesn't allow the app to recognize the Trimble R2 with it's original Bluetooth name. You need to change the name within the firmware by connecting it to a PC (You cannot just change the device's nickname on your phone). You need to have the word "Trimble" in the device name. Please see attached photo. I hope everything works out for you!

Aaron Worthley Max Hamby