C-Tech Solutions make use of both mapping grade (Trimble Pro XL or Pro XRS) and survey grade (Trimble 5700 and Trimble 5800) GPS equipment depending on the goals of the client. We also know that there are some locations and situations where high accuracy measurements with GPS equipment is not possible or is not productive and we will use optical surveying equipment (Trimble S6 Robotic Total Station).

For more detail see C-TECH COLLECTION NOTE below

C-Tech offers the opportunity for a client to "do it yourself" with our GPS equipment. Anyone who is familiar with Windows Operating Systems and a PDA will feel comfortable with this. We will ship a mapping grade GPS unit to your site and provide you with complete assistance during your use of the equipment. We have found that an initial 10 to 20 minute conversation is enough to get started. There are inevitably questions that will arise during the data collection and we will be available to help resolve those issues.

C-Tech can also provide a data correction and processing service. There are many situations where someone may own or have access to GPS equipment they but do not have the ability to make the best use of the data that they collect. We can work with clients in these cases to help them turn their data into something useful.

C-TECH COLLECTION NOTE:

C-Tech utilizes an Integrate Survey Solution to achieve high accuracy positions no matter what the conditions.

The GPS Data shall be gathered by differential GPS measurement utilizing a dual frequency Trimble 5800 or R8 RTK roving receiver with 24 Channels L1 C/A Code and L1/L2 Full Cycle Carrier to ensure best possible accuracy (typically sub-centimeter). Roving receiver shall collect data at 1-second intervals only when it sees a minimum of 5 satellites and has a PDOP of less than 6. Employ differential correction real-time processing from a base station utilizing a dual frequency RTK receiver with 24 Channels L1 C/A Code and L1/L2 Full Cycle Carrier located onsite also collecting at 1-second intervals transmitting the correction signal real-time to the remote roving receiver.

However, sometimes it is nearly impossible to achieve high accuracy positions with GPS alone due to obstructions such as heavy tree canopy or buildings. In cases like this it is essential to use more conventional survey equipment that is designed to work seamlessly with the GPS. One such piece of equipment is a robotics optical total station. With this type of unit, the obstructed positions can be determined by establishing known positions in open areas with integrated GPS. These positions, in turn can be used to establish a setup point and a bearing. With that information the unit will use a high accuracy laser to calculate the distance and bearing to the operator using a pole with a 360 degree prism mounted at the top. The unit can robotically track the operator continuously transmitting his position via a radio link between the units. As long as the operator has line of sight back to the unit, positions can be collected. These positions are not affected by the obstructed GPS signal and can maintain the high accuracy required.

Optical Data shall be gathered by utilizing a Trimble S6 Robotics Optical Total Station. For the highest possible positioning accuracy, the S6 offers SurePoint™ technology. SurePoint guards against the sinkage, vibration, and handling that can affect an instrument after setup. The S6 provides an angle reading accuracy of ±2mm with a distance measurement accuracy of ±3mm at a distance of 500m