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

[MikeLonde]

On the new 6000 series Trimble split the NMEA output oout as a separate module as a revenue enhancing step.

[ericbock]

You have to purchase the NMEA upgrade or Trimble GPS correct for ArcPad to work on the Geo6000.  You can check your device under Start/Settings/System/System Information.  At the top of your screen, scroll over to the options tab.  It probably says, NMEA.................Not Activated.

Hope this helps,

eric bock

[ericbock]

In order to get ArcPad to work with the GeoExplorer 6000 series you need one of the following:
1) Trimble GPS Correct or
2) NMEA output


Side note, the NMEA upgrade allows you to embed the GPS coordinates into the picture and/or EXIF header when using the camera!

GPScorrect will allow you to have more control of the GPS, and you would be able to post process the data using GPS Analyst or Pathfinder Office to achieve better accuracies (up to 50cm on the GeoXT unit). 


TSIP is no longer an option that works on the 6000 series.  The TSIP option will work on the 2005 and 2008/3000 series geos.


So, my recommendation is to get either the software or the upgrade and use the antenna if you have it.  The benefit of the antenna is that you will get it above your body (less interferance)and it has more surface area than the built in one.



Hope this helps,

Eric Bock

[RobertLloyd2]

Hey folks. Just found this thread via a Google search, as I've been having a similar problem to the OP with a new GeoXT 6000 and ArcPad 10.

So let me get this straight: to get the unit and software to do the main thing we bought them for, we have to additionally purchase an upgrade or separate piece of software... neither if which we were informed we would need?!?

That's unbelieveably inconvenient. These materials were purchased with Govt. funds for use on Army projects; we can't spend more money without negotiating a great deal of bureaucracy.

[EmmieLynch]

So let me get this straight: to get the unit and software to do the main thing we bought them for, we have to additionally purchase an upgrade or separate piece of software... neither if which we were informed we would need?!?

That's unbelieveably inconvenient. These materials were purchased with Govt. funds for use on Army projects; we can't spend more money without negotiating a great deal of bureaucracy.

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.

[DavidRobinson4]

Been there done that as well. We reported this in June so I guess people benefited from our experience as we wrote this up and reported to Trimble and to ESRI. At least the information is here if not in any manuals...

We are still struggling with other issues -- but I may be able to post more when I make it back to the office in a week or so.

Our main issue to be resolved now is the accuracy and the Tornado Antenna necessity and whether we should install GPS correct for sub-meter accuracy -- we really do need that for some of the geological mapping...

I guess it is just the never-ending story of automation.

PS: I do the programming and system design - i.e.  IANAG (I am not a Geologist)

[TimHopper]

To summarize the contents of this thread:

The Trimble GeoExplorer 6000 series communicates with Trimble software applications using a Trimble proprietary protocol. If you are using Trimble TerraSync software, or the GPScorrect extension for Esri ArcPad software, there is no need for NMEA output. If you want to use other software, or the ArcPad application without the GPScorrect extension, you will need to purchase and activate the NMEA output option first.

The above statement is a snippet from the following 6000 series Trimble FAQ under the headline "Do I need NMEA output?":

http://trl.trimble.com/docushare/dsweb/Get/Document-528897/GeoExplorer6000Series_CustomerFAQs_0711.p...

As I stated earlier in this thread, I do not have the inside scoop as to why Trimble decided not to include NMEA output as a standard feature in the 6000 series as they have in all previous devices.  I ran this question by one of our Trimble resellers and they weren't sure either.

My best guess is that Trimble expects that after shelling out a substantial amount of money for this device, you'd want to utilize the device to the best of it's potential.  Using the NMEA output is not going to allow the device to obtain the greatest amount of accuracy that it's capable of.

I'm under the impression (and have verified with the online pdf for our GeoCollector for ArcPad bundle) that the bundle ESRI sells automatically comes with the Trimble GPScorrect extension.  Yes, you would additionally need to purchase the Trimble GPS Analyst extension to post-process that data, but this does not limit you from capturing data in the field.  There is the option to include the NMEA upgrade for an additional cost, but it's not necessary if you intend to utilize GPScorrect.  If any of you have experienced something different when purchasing a device from ESRI I'd appreciate hearing your feedback.  While I'm not a customer service representative, I'd be happy to investigate any problems which you may have run into.

Long story short:

To utilize ArcPad on the 6000 series GeoExplorer you MUST utilize Trimble GPScorrect or the optional NMEA upgrade.  The TSIP protocol no longer works on the 6000 series as it did in previous releases of the GeoExplorer device.

[RichmondKyei-Baffour1]

Yea, I did not know this earlier until i  was face with this challenge when my client , whom i should GeoXH6000, complained about it.

After a lot of research on  NMEA option and  upgrade from Trimble.

I have been able  resolve this for my client.

Simply, using the configuration below since the client was not post processing the data with either GPS Analyst or Trimble Pathfinder Office Software.

Protocol: NMEA 0183

Port: COM2 NMEA Serial Port

Baud: 4800

It really worked!!

[jamesflannery]

This thread answered all the questions I was needing answers for. We have recently come into possesion of a 6000 geo xh

[StephanieWegscheider]

Long story short:

To utilize ArcPad on the 6000 series GeoExplorer you MUST utilize Trimble GPScorrect or the optional NMEA upgrade.  The TSIP protocol no longer works on the 6000 series as it did in previous releases of the GeoExplorer device.

I wish I had found this thread before purchasing the GeoXH... Very important information, thanks a lot!