Connecting a Trimble GPS to Base Station Questions

[KellyFischer]

Hello,

I'm attempting to set up a Trimble Geoexplorer 6000 GeoXH GPS, perticularly to asses what data collection software I need to purchase (currently comparing between Trimble Terasync and learning towards Arcpad for ease of use).

In order to decide this I'm attempting to connect my GPS to a base station for real-time correction (thus making the difference between $700 ArcPad, and $2,000+ with GPSCorrect extension based on my research). I want to avoid having to post-process my data. Submeter accuracy with real-time correction is acceptable for my uses, but currently all I can obtain is +/-4-6m accuracy.

My questions are:

Do I need to have perticular software installed to connect to a base station? It would make sense to me that this expensive of a machine wouldn't need additional software subscriptions in order to have it's maximum potential for real-time corrections/connecting to a base station.

I'm otherwise confused, if I don't need software, how do I connect to my base station in a Trimble Geoexplorer 6000?

Do I need to buy the software in order to even get started with my base station/submeter accuracy?

Help please and thank you.

[DanaNolan]

Your Trimble has built-in 3.5G modem connection capabilities. You can add a simcard.

You need to then get a trial of a virtual base station network in your area and test connecting to see if you are going to get reliable service. These services usually have daily rates and other options. Not cheap. I don't see why you would need any special software.

We went another route, so I haven't tried these methods.

[PaulLohr]

With WAAS corrections enabled and the right conditions we obtain submeter accuracy frequently. No base station. We use Trimble GPSCorrect to get WAAS corrections.

GPSCorrect was not all that expensive the last time we purchased it. That was many years ago.

[D3EGPS]

Hi,

You have several options with the Geo6000 handheld.
Depend if you are using a third party Trimble software or ArcPad with NMEA protocol.

If you use ArcPad + GPS Correct (or Trimble Positions for ArcPad which is more up to date) you can directly set the base stations connection within the Trimble's software with an external cell phone for instance or with the internal modem if you have a Geo6000 3.5G unit (as Dana suggests)

If you do not have GPSCorrect or Trimble Positions for ArcPad, you can use GPSController (free from Trimble) to set the Base Station connection but in this case, ArcPad has to be used with NMEA protocol and NMEA is an option for the Geo6000 unit.

Therefore two options :

Option 1 : Trimble GPS Controller (Free) + NMEA (price deliver by your Trimble's reseller)
Option 2 : Trimble Positions for ArcPad (price deliver by your Trimble's reseller and Evaluation code available)

Hope that helps

Rgeards
Julien