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Topcon GR3: Triple Constellation GPS Receiver

Performs high accuracy data collection for the land surveyor

May 3, 2007 13:22 GMT  ·  By
Topcon G3
   Topcon G3

Topcon Positioning Systems and Whipsaw, a company specialized in industrial design, joined forces in order to create the sexiest design for a GPS receiver. The Topgon GR3, the result of this joint venture, recently won an award at the International Forum (IF) Product Design 2007, a well-known German design competition.

The thing looks more like a huge rugged flashlight than like a GPS receiver. However, Topcon GR3 seems the perfect tool if you need pinpoint accuracy. The device uses 36 satellites to give you the geographical coordinates down to the last millimeter. It will also allow you to locate reference points with a high degree of precision. Moreover, you'll be also able to grab relevant data on the shape, contour, location, elevation or dimension of land or land features.

The GPS receiver is easy to hold due to the dual hot-swappable batteries. For balancing, the 2 batteries are oriented vertically to keep the center of gravity close to the range pole axis. The device is shock- proofed, so it can "easily" handle frontal cliff impacts (but don't try it on purpose, though). The main housing is is an I-beam shaped rugged magnesium, engineered to resist a fall from a range pole. It's weather proof too: the micro-tuned antenna, the switches and the connectors are housed under a plastic and rubber dome which overlaps the base and battery handle. It also boasts Bluetooth wireless tech and an easily accessible SD card memory.

Topcon GR3 is targeted at licensed surveyors and it's priced at $22,000.

Here are some specs:

-915 MhHz Spread Spectrum internal Tx/Rx radio -Advanced Rugged System Design -Optional Internal GSM/GPRS Cellular Communication -72 Universal Tracking Channles -Bluetooth Wireless Technology -G3 Satellite Tracking (GPS, Glonass, Galileo)

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