Resources  Links For AGTEK GPS Users

RTK Mission Planning, Autonomous Usage, Computer Accessories, & Services

GPS Satellite Availability and RTK Mission Planning

Some GPS hardware manufacturers provide free mission planning software and current satellite data files which allow users to forecast sufficient GPS satellite availability for a project's geographic location before actually going to the site and setting up a GPS system.  Topcon® Standalone Mission Planning Tool and GPS+ Almanac data files are available by clicking here.  Trimble® Planning Software and Ephemeris data files are available by clicking here (additionally, a PDF file containing good instructions on how to install and use the Trimble planning software may be available by clicking here).  Additional GPS technical data can be found on websites maintained by the U.S. Coast Guard and by the U.S. Navy.

Real-Time Autonomous GPS Drive-Through Site Inspections

Still waiting for the "right" job to invest in RTK GPS hardware and AGTEK's Graphic Grade 3D survey and grade control software?  Well, in the meantime, you can still use your AGTEK office software to perform real-time GPS site inspections.  AGTEK's Earthwork 3D, SiteModel 3D and SitePlan 3D software (Versions 1.40 and up) can all be used with a laptop or tablet computer and a cheap, off-the-shelf Autonomous GPS receiver to walk or drive a job site with horizontal reference to your AGTEK 3D site model (plan--i.e., Reference vs. Difference surface--cut and fill values are also displayed in real time).  The horizontal positioning functionality is similar to that of AGTEK's PDA-based DirtPilot (PlanPilot) program, but with more display options (3D views!) and with better (and bigger) graphics because it's not running on a PDA.  Although it lacks RTK-mode precision, Autonomous-mode GPS requires fewer satellites and will often work under site conditions where RTK-mode is unavailable.  Click here for a list of compatible Autonomous GPS receivers and instructions for use.

Field Computer Accessories

There are a number of useful accessories available for the Tablet PCs and PDAs used with AGTEK's Graphic Grade GPS, SiteModel GPS, and DirtPilot/PlanPilot GPS systems.

Excellent screen protectors are available from PurpleMoo.  Click here if you are using a Fujitsu Tablet PC (although PurpleMoo does not list a specific screen protector for the Fujitsu ST5031, the screen protector for the Fujitsu ST4110 can be substituted because it is the same size).  PurpleMoo also provides screen protectors for PDAs: Click here for Dell and click here for HP-Compaq.

For protection beyond a simple screen cover, consider using a ruggedized device case from OtterBox.  Click here for Fujitsu Tablet PC cases and click here for PDA cases.

If your field computer is already Bluetooth®-enabled, and you are looking for a wireless mouse, consider the Kensington Mini Pilot Bluetooth Mouse.  In addition to being cable-free, its optical tracking allows this mouse to work on virtually any surface (shirts, pants, truck seats, etc.).

If you are looking for a full-sized keyboard to use with your field computer, consider a flexible keyboard.  These rubberized keyboards resist water and dust, and they conform to any uneven surface (like the hood of your truck) on which they may be used.  Suppliers of flexible keyboards include DS International, Information Support Concepts, and Man & Machine.

When the Dozer Backs Over Your Field Computer

Even if the dozer operator never hits the target, field computers take a real beating and hard drive failure is a real risk; after all, that's why you back up your valuable AGTEK survey data on a daily basis, right?  But if disaster strikes and it has been some time since your last data back up, there is an alternative to losing hundreds of hours of irreplaceable survey data: Ontrack Data Recovery™.  Depending on your hard drive's condition, and on how much of its data can be recovered, expect to pay between $400 and $2,000 (after an initial $100 analysis and consultation fee) for Ontrack's recovery services.  By the way, Ontrack will be happy to provide the same data recovery services for office computers too.

Third-Party AGTEK Modeling Services

Click here for a list of links to consultants that use AGTEK software to produce 3D grading models for quantity takeoff and/or GPS grade control and project management applications.

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Site last modified on November 15, 2008.

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