GPS - HELP!! Which do i choose?

I have been using the Leica 300 series GPS for years and its time to make the jump to a RTK Rover. The Leica 300 has been well worth the $ and has never failed me but the occupy time is a killer.
We are a small firm in NJ (usually 1 man crews) and need the RTK for larger traverses and elevations that take forever with 1 guy.

I have been looking at the Trimble R8, Leica 1200 and the Spectra Epoch. I guess the Spectra Epoch is fairly new and cant find many reviews on it. It appears that whatever brand instrument a company owns is the brand they will say is the best.

Has anyone had any negative experiences with either of these GPS setups?

Why would I need a base and a Rover if I can just use 1 Rover with the real time network?

We are currently running Trimble 5600 Total Stations with the Leica 300 series GPS. The trimble service in Allentown PA has been great but is a real pain being 1.5 hours away. Have not had any problems with the Leica 300 so really dont have any opinions on their service department.

Thanks

Since you say you are in NJ and experienced with Leica, go with the Leica network rover. You are seldom more than 30 miles from at least one base and 90% of the time you would be surrounded. Don't  trade in your 300s because you would get little for them. Instead use them static as you have in the past. Static control points improve any RTK network.

Plus there are clients that want to see your OPUS results, or at least know that you have them.

Paul in PA

The only problem with a network rover is the repeatibility of Elevations.
It's terrible. If you are in a area with no cell phone internet you are SOL.

I use Topcon Hiper Ga's as both RTK from a base and as a network rover.
With the Hiper's only I can get 1 mile or so from the base.

I added a Topcon Digital radio and I can get 3 miles with it.

Granted a network rover will run only about $11,000 but it's worthless
with no internet.

I don't ues it everyday, but I take it everyday because you never know what gear
might come in handy.

Get your OPUS-S or OPUS-RS and adjust RTK from your control.

Paul in PA

True.
I use OPUS to get a elev or adjust to a local bm.
But then RTK with a base is awesome for everything else. 
Using a base with rover elevations match 98% of the time.

Usualy a couple of hundreths one way or another. It's all in being
able to undersand how good your fix is.

I've got a 45 acre subdivision I'm working on and it's all been RTK.

I did another job friday that I topoed last year with RTK.

Staked the new roadway with RTK and I hit all of the match points right on.
We (2 man Crew) did 3800' of stakes in right around 4 hours!

I would certainly throw the Carlson GPS in your mix!  Look at the june POB for a review ...

I have a Topcon Hiper Base/Rover Set I would sell for around 12,000. Includes Base  and rover antennas, radios, recievers. thomas_mirzadeh@yahoo.com. I bought to use in opening my own business but noone wants to pay for quality work.

I am in the market for some new GPS equipment as well.  I have tested the Topcon Hiper II and GR-5, Sokkia GRX-1, and the new Carlson (I think it is called the Explorer).   By far I liked the technology and compact size of the Carlson setup the best but it has an integrated Data collector and receiver which does not fit my needs as well since I am running 5 crews.  The Hiper II and GRX-1 are both very versatile and affordable.  For around $20,000 you can have RTK, 2 Network Rovers, Static, dual constellations, and your choice of 5 data collectors and 3 field software.  It will be hard to beat that.

Trimble.

I've had my Leica 1200 RTK for several (maybe many) years now and the Leica 530 before that, and never had a bad number with it. If it won't fix, it won't give you garbage.

What's that worth?

Can anyone tell me what is the difference between the r4, r5, r6, r7 and r8?  I want a base and rover that can do GLNOSS.  I'm looking into the used market and I'm really into the "latest and greatest".  That's usually what I here when I call the rep.  I would just like to get into an upgraded model at reasonable costs.  I'm sure there are others that have already been through this.  Thanks in advance for advice on the subject.

all of our crews use Trimble R8GNSS receivers, and also phone modems for when we can use them instead of setting up a base.
local support for your hardware/software is important to consider.

Did ya decide yet?

I've used mostly Leica 1200, but am now using the Trimble R8.  Support is a biggie with these units.  I prefer the Leica system, but have not used it or the R8 with a real time network.  I also kinda like the Sokkia's for their user friendliness.

When you weight the advantages of the Carlson Surveyor +GPS Network Rover I think it wins. The unit is really light and balanced with the weight centered on the rod. You can also use it with your Total Stations without buying another controller. Full Alphanumeric Keypad beats the tap, tap tap but your can do that too. Whatever network your on or you just select the data format, like RTCM3 and off you go. Use individual bases or the whole network. Use SIM card, Cell Phone or WIFI with a Verizon MIFI to get on the net. So simple. And for under 12K. Carlson doesn't tie the firmware to the data collector either, move it to another hardware device and the updating firmware easy and support is great.

A Sokkia GRX1 is hands down better than others in the same $ range compare features.