ArcPad10 and Trimble 6000 series GeoXT

[RichardReardon]

I recently purchased a Trimble 6000series GeoXT handheld which runs
Windows Mobile 6.5 Professional. I have the Trimble GPS Controller
program installed on it, and when I run it there are plenty of
satellites available highlighted in black to show that they are
providing a signal (which is strong). The problem is when I run the
evaluation version of ArcPad10 I can't get any GPS signal. Clearly I
can get a strong signal, something just seems wrong when I move to
ArcPad. Here are my "GPS Preferences" in ArcPad10:

Protocol: NMEA 0183
Port: COM2:NMEA Serial port
Baud: 4800

These were the settings I was told to used in the setup manual provided by
Trimble for the handheld when using ArcPad (if not using GPScorrect). When
I try to let ArcPad search for a GPS signal, I recieve an error message
telling me that No GPS Signal was detected. I checked online and even when
using just the Evaluation Mode of ArcPad, I should still be able to use
the GPS function.

Note: I do not have both the GPS Controller program and ArcPad running simultaneously.

Any ideas/information on how I may resolve this connectivity problem are
greatly appreciated.

Sincerely,
    Mike

[christineiksic]

We're in the same boat, Robert. Had the same exact thing happen to us. And as far as I can tell, you have to have GPSCorrect or TerraSync. It's really kinda dumb and I feel like we should have been informed of this when we purchased the equipment. Maybe something they should start including in the purchase or at least mentioning so that people don't find themselves in our situation.

Who are you purchasing these units from? If your buying from a Trimble reseller who are the only authorized resellers that should never happen. A 6000 Series GPS requires either a Trimble software extension or a NMEA output extension top communicate with the GPS receiver. Most users have spent the money to purchase a sub-meter or sub-foot device should have no need for NMEA as they intend to be better than sub-meter accuracies and to achieve that accuracy consistently and with confidence you need to either have a real-time data correction source in the field or be post-processing the software. I'm sorry to hear that you weren't sold the right equipment. Best of luck moving forward.

[FrankToeppe]

It's just as christine says, I purchased the XT from an authorized reseller and got in-depth and sufficient information of all the NMEA output option stuff above ... but the next step turns out to be a real challenge that is getting NMEA data submitted via bluetooth. Maybe there's a thread discussing that issue I woud be greatful to be redirected to ...?
Thanks Herbert

[JonathanFrancis]

I recently purchased a Trimble 6000series GeoXT handheld which runs
Windows Mobile 6.5 Professional. I have the Trimble GPS Controller
program installed on it, and when I run it there are plenty of
satellites available highlighted in black to show that they are
providing a signal (which is strong). The problem is when I run the
evaluation version of ArcPad10 I can't get any GPS signal. Clearly I
can get a strong signal, something just seems wrong when I move to
ArcPad. Here are my "GPS Preferences" in ArcPad10:

Protocol: NMEA 0183
Port: COM2:NMEA Serial port
Baud: 4800

These were the settings I was told to used in the setup manual provided by
Trimble for the handheld when using ArcPad (if not using GPScorrect). When
I try to let ArcPad search for a GPS signal, I recieve an error message
telling me that No GPS Signal was detected. I checked online and even when
using just the Evaluation Mode of ArcPad, I should still be able to use
the GPS function.

Note: I do not have both the GPS Controller program and ArcPad running simultaneously.

Any ideas/information on how I may resolve this connectivity problem are
greatly appreciated.

Sincerely,
    Mike

I'm having this same exact problem except with Trimble R3 Recon and A3 Antenna setup. I know the GPS works because of the Skyplot in "Trimble Digital FieldBook" but when I switch to the trial version of the new ArcPad, it says "No GPS Connected". Does anyone have an idea what is wrong?

[PrestonDallas]

Hey Everyone

I have a different question from the rest of the forum.  I am trying to collect Z-Values for point features and I am not having any luck.  When I check the Z-Value on the unit while collecting it is correct but when I check the data back in it is in some other units and not even close.  I found a formula to convert it but the closest I can get to the actual Z-Value is 6 feet. Is there a way to bring the Z-Value from the unit without manually typing it in or is this even possible?

Thanks

Preston

[JacobWittenberg]

Hi Preston,

Off topic but I may be able to point you in the right direction. 

When talking about elevations it's important to understand what's happening not only in the software but also consider the environment, correction source and capability of the equipment.

For example:

• Are you referencing HAE or MSL for your elevation?  (More over, what are you comparing your elevations with?) 


• Also, what type of hardware are using to collect or view this information? 


• Are you using this equipment with a pole, permanently mounted height fixture or holding it in your hand? 


• Lastly, what type of differential GNSS/GPS corrections are being used?  

The above questions are valid missing pieces of information but the biggest thing that's most likely causing your issues is that  ArcPad does not support Geoid Models to reference accurate MSL elevations.  It's only going to allow for a constant Geoid separation value.  This works in a pinch pending upon working environment and what level of accuracy you are trying to obtain. With the limited information I have my guess is that this is where you're problem lies.  By Default ArcPad is storing those values as a HAE value.

Here is a link defining how ArcPad calculates and stores a Z-Value referencing MSL:

http://webhelp.esri.com/arcpad/8.0/referenceguide/index.htm#gps_rangefinder/concept_gpsheight.htm

If you're unsure about the differences between HAE and MSL this video does a great job of summing up the differences.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q65O3qA0-n4&feature=c4-overview&list=LLeiYXex_fwgYDonaTcSIk6w

More information:

http://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/geoid.html