Product Review:Trimble Recon GPS XC

The Trimble Recon GPS XC is affordable compared to other GPS products that Trimble offers. By default, the more expensive products by Trimble, the better accuracy you can get for your GPS coordinates. However, for our project we do not need the sub-meter accuracy (less than 1 m).

Trimble Recon GPS XC is a rugged handheld and nicely design for field work. The weight is so light for the whole day use. I never receive a complaint from our surveyors regarding the weight of the device. In addition, the battery life is enough to do the whole day data gathering activity.

The current version of Trimble Recon GPS XC comes with more features. One is the wireless LAN capability so that you can transfer data or connect to internet without the need of cables. Other feature is that it comes with new Compact Flash card. What does it mean? It means that with Trimble Recon GPS XC, you can post process the data to obtain more GPS accuracy. Take note that you need additional GPS tools and software to post process your data.

These 2 features were not available when we bought the device a year ago. The device comes with Windows Mobile 5.0 so we can implement any data gathering software that is compatible with Windows Mobile. I personally used customized application using VB.net to be integrated with this device for our data gathering project. It is so simple to integrate them.

Just take note when you use your own application. The GPS port can even transfer GPS coordinate even when only 2 satellite detected by Trimble Recon GPS XC. Remember that you need PDOP from 2-4 to get accuracy GPS. If you do not know what PDOP is, as a rule of thumb, you need more than 4 satellites detected by your devices to obtain better accuracy.

Trimble Recon GPS XC is attached with GPS card that flashing every second. It is a good indicator as well for surveyors to check if the GPS card is working properly. If it is not flashing, what surveyor needs to do is to restart the application so that the software will trigger GPS port to operate. If restarting application does not work, surveyor needs to shut down the device, open the GPS cover using the end of stylus pen, remove the card, and insert back in. Most of the time, it will resolve the problem.