I am looking for the best and most modern (2024) hardware(data collectors) and software(Field Genius,etc) combinations to utilize my RS3 receiver/s for both RTK, static, and VRS/NTRIP surveys. The capability of Emlid Flow is just not yet sufficient for my interest. I am considering both Windows and Android options.
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Hi @papa,
Welcome to the community!
Could you tell us a bit more about your project and what features would you like to see in Emlid Flow?
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I miss a lot a function when staking, that I haven´t found in any other app, that when you arrive to the point for fine location, it doesn´t use north or south, instead uses the direction you arrived from to the marker and then is just to the front, back, left or right from that direction, this way was a lot quicker for me, than getting to the next point and then turn to the north and from there start fine location.
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As far as a field controller, Tripltek 9 us the best Android based tablet ever for me, very bright in daylight, fast and has 12GB ram and 256GB storage.
I’ve got FieldGenius, Emlid Flow and Javad JMT software on mine. None if the field software has ever crashed on mine.
I suggest you take a serious look at the Tripltek 9.
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Just buy a Samsung A35 for $250 and put it into a hardened case for $50.
The A35 has 1000nits brightness (only 200 less than Tripltek) and is waterproof innately.
$300 buys you a great little field data collector imho.
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screen size too small
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I use a Samsung Galaxy Tab Active 3 with Field Genius Android
128Gb Memory
4 Gb RAM
8" screen
1900x1200 Pixel resolution
Screen Brightness 500 nits
IP68 protection (bought a $25 rugged case- just in case)
S pen included
Got it on sale for $344 on Amazon (WiFi only version)
Mostly happy with the purchase. I was disappointed with the screen brightness and the battery life (around 5 hours continuous use)
I have attached a comparison sheet I got this week from a Mesa distributor
LMSS-Android-Handheld-Product-Matrix-Sept-2024.pdf (157.8 KB)
.
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The Xiaomi Mix Fold 4 has an 8" foldable screen with up to 3000 nits display and is IPX8 rated…
Not cheap, but also blows everything else out of the water wrt screen brightness.
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In 2020 I bought a Cedar CT8 (Made by Juniper Systems) for roughly $1,000.
The screen brightness (450 nits) and sharpness (1280 x 800) was not particularly great and the battery life would prob give me 4-5 hours continuous use (8000 mAh/30.4wh).
It lasted 3 years before the Touch Screen gave out and the OS had already become obsolete.
It had been well cared, never dropped and only gotten splashed briefly a few times.
I’m convinced they no longer make truly rugged DCs that will last 5-10 years like they did back in the day. Furthermore, the OS will not go beyond 3 or 4.
I’m satisfied with something like the Samsung Galaxy Tab 5 for $500 pushing 600 nits (yeah not the greatest) and with a 5,050mAh replaceable battery at half the price or less than the “Survey Grade” contenders.
Fits my needs, but everyone’s use case will differ.
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Fully agree Adrian, which is why I made the switch to older phones/tables for field work and just place them in waterproof cases.
They will all fall, all die someday. Might as well go cheap.
The last DC I bought was a Carlson 600+, which was ok, until the screen warped in bright sun, causing the stylus to behave erratically. 
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