Mobile Mapper 10, first impression

After the acquisition of Ashtech by Trimble, Spectra has begun to promote Mobile Mapper products. The simplest of these is Mobile Mapper 10, which I want to take a look at this time.

Mobile Mapper Pro, CE and CX versions ended up but there’s still in the market the last one. The popular Mobile Mapper 6 was launched since Blade technology appeared, this is the predecessor of the one we are now presenting. It has a different line, because despite a MM6 has new technology in operating system terms, does not exceed Mobile Mapper Pro in terms of responsiveness. That was a very fine receiver with the ability to read the C / A code and carrier phase. It wore standard post-processing and its cost with a good bargain walked by 1.200 dollars with postprocessing. While MM10 still only reads the C / A code and with technology (at level software, not receiving) makes 50 cm in post-processing, provided it has the post process activated, but this option costs an additional $ 500 so it comes out by 1.900.

What is the Mobile Mapper 10 difference from the Mobile Mapper 6

In general differences are significant. In terms of design, MM10 is taller, wider, but narrower, with better space distribution; we never knew what the reason of the foil on top is. At the ends have rubber bumps that make it easier to handle with one hand.

The bottom table shows in green aspects that give the Mobile Mapper 10 greatest potential regarding the MM6 and those marked in red are negative differences inevitable with change. I am also placing a column to show what happens with the Mobile Mapper 100, of which I spoke earlier.

	Mobile Mapper 6	Mobile Mapper 10	Mobile Mapper 100
Constelations	GPS, SBAS	GPS	GPS, GLONASS, SBAS
Channels	12	20	45
Frequency	L1	L1	L1, L2
Update	1 Hz	1 Hz	0.05 segundos
Data Format	NMEA	NMEA	RTCM 3.1, ATOM, CMR(+), NMEA
Can operate as base	no	no	Yes
Real Time precision in SBAS mode	1 – 2 mts.	1 – 2 mts.	Less than 50 cm.. in SBAS,  less than 30 cm. in DGPS.
Postprocessing accuracy	Less than a meter	Less than 50 centímeters	1 cm.
Processor	400 Mhz	600 Mhz	806 MHz
Operating System	Windows Mobile 6.1	Windows Mobile 6.5	Windows Mobile 6.5
Comunication	Bluetooth, USB	Bluetooth, USB, GSM/GPRS, Wifi	GSM/GPRS, BT, WLAN
Size	14.6 x 6.4 x 2.9 cm	16.9 x 8.8 x 2.5 cm	19 x 9 x 4.33 cm
Weight	224 grams	380 grams with battery	648 grams
Display	2.7 “	3.5″	3.5 “
Memory	64MB SDRAM, 128 MB Flash, memoria SD	128 MB SDRAM, 256 MB NAND, Micro SDHC Memory up to 8GB	256 MB SDRAM / 2 GB NAND,  Micro SDHC
Minimum Temperature	-20 C	-10 C	-20 C
Maximum Temperature	+60 C	+60 C	+60 C
Drop Support and vibrations	1 metro	1.20 meters on concrete	1.20 meters on concrete, plus ETS300 019 & MIL-STD-810 standards
Battery	An AA couple	Lithium / duration up to 20 hours	Lithium / duration up to 8 hours
Antenna type	Internal / External	Internal / External	Internal / External

A substantial improvement is in the battery, rather than the AA pair brings a lithium battery with up to 20 hours autonomy; not bad for nearly three working days of 7 hours. This was the reason sure helped it be more narrow.

There’s no improvement in precision without post processing, it’s almost a browser with radial accuracies down to 2 meters. It must be understood that is an equipment of just one frequency, it does not support RTK. But it improves over MM6 in data accuracy on further processing, which may be below 50 cm, equivalent to an orthophoto pixel in a conventional rural surveying.

We assume it arrives at this precision because reaches up to 20 channels (GPS L1 C / A in SBAS mode: WAAS / EGNOS / MSAS). Additionally, post-processing could be understood with respect to a remote base via GPRS or Wifi.

Brings a more recent version of Windows Mobile, the processor has been improved (is an ARM9) but brings the same software: Windows Mobile, Active Sync and Internet Explorer. Includes Mobile Mapper Field, which is similar to Mobile Mapping with some improvements; however it also supports ArcPad although this license can be purchased only at United States.

The memory also has greater capacity, it brings up to 256 MB NAND (Flash non-volatile), now supports up to 8 GB MicroSD.

As extras you can buy an external antenna and the racket to hang on a stick. To enable post-processing must be paid an activation key.

Conclusion

For its price, that walks down the $ 1,500 is not bad. Although in my opinion is just a Pocket with GPS and GIS capabilities.

It is ideal for rural cadastre, forestry, environmental projects, or those where 50 inches of accuracy is sufficient. Obviously, we must take advantage of the GIS, because it allows rising lines layers, polygons or points with the desired attributes’ number, including pictures and audio.

It would have to be seen what happens when using gvSIG Mobile to find something more than simple Mobile Mapper Field.

What’s the difference respect the Mobile Mapper 100

Of course, the Mobile Mapper 10 is a toy when compare with Mobile Mapper 100. That is another level of instrument with precision after post-processing up to 1 cm, although it remains as single frequency equipment.

Perhaps MM10 biggest drawback is that it is not scalable; arrives only where the designed purposes let it.

Instead, the Mobile Mapper 100 can scale. With an external antenna and some configurations it could become a Promark 100; with something more, in a Promark 200 that already supports dual frequency.

Although outside the cabinet is the same.

This comparison will be seen in another post.

Here you can find a representative of these products.

Here you can find more Ashtech products.