Topcon Tesla Tablet Data Collector Review

Features include:
- 5.7" VGA colour touchscreen
- 3.2MP camera
- 256Mb RAM
- 4Gb flash storage
- Internal GPS (autonomous quality)
- 3.5G cellular modem
- Bluetooth and WiFi connectivity
- Windows Mobile 6.5.3 Professional

[Manisj]

I have used the Tesla, I had issues seeing the screen in direct sunlight. In general I found this tool to be exceptionally better than any of the other data collectors from top con that I have used. With that said, i feel like the hard ware of this unit is in the stone ages. It is brand new and yet still uses the pressure sensitive touch screen, it has less hard drive space than some of the lowest music players and phones, and it has crashing issues... biggest advantage Magnet is user friendly

[Manisj]

continuing on, the machine has very minimal ram, it has screen malfunctions within the first 6 months, and it has a terrible rod mount. now that i am done pointing out the issues lets look at the good points. The machine is borderline indestructible. It runs very fast compared to its competitors devises, and Magnet with its on board CAD package, user friendly interface, and with its land calculations misapplication is absolutely amazing. This was not a hate bash just my opinion of a good machine

[MrMattshelley]

Thanks for this look at the Tesla without the marketing hype. You seemed a bit nervous, and I hope that as you do a few more videos you movements will be more fluid. I know it's not easy being in front of the camera, and have found that scripting these videos before shooting helps a lot.

Thanks for the vid.

[blowfish]

This may be late but the topcon tesla we are dealing with is having issues with the touch screen, as it doesnt seem to respond to fingers or the stylist. And ideas on what to do for troubleshooting?

[matthewtoma]

So now that you've had it for a bit I was wondering how you like both the Tesla and the Magnet software?
Thanks for the review.

[gorfinslunts]

I have 3 Topcon Teslas in my GPS fleet all running pocket 3d. Good Points --> HD capable version of pocket 3d, very fast, good visibility in sunlight, excellent battery life, CAR CHARGER!. Bad Points --> The mounting bracket is the most annoying thing I've ever dealt with (Yes the 4 pegs are screw ins), they say you don't need a stylus but for precision i beg to differ, I have heard from others using Tesla's that the screen is easily prone to breaking, Landscape/Portrait is great but it isn't compatible to switch mid program.

[DizzConnected]

TopSurv has also been woeful in the past - I thought v8 would have resolved the chronic unintuitive issues and bugs, but we're still running SurvCE exclusively (we have both). My trials of the Magnet demo show that the Survey functionality appears just to be a reskinned version of Topsurv - apart from the added cloud ability, have you noticed any improved survey performance of Magnet over TopSurv ?

Sorry for all of the questions - I got on a roll ! :)

(NOT continued in next post) :)

[rolfomatic]

If you are having a problem with glare, we have had good luck with Nushield screen protectors. A dramatic improvement.

[DizzConnected]

Good review, thanks.
I've just about had a gut full of our FC-200 & FC-250 DC's - the screens on those units are WOEFUL in sunlight. The screens on our old FC-100's dominate the 200/250's.
We've been obliged to use the 200/250's as our TS's have the RS-1 radio unit.
The 200/250's are that bad that we're looking at getting RC-4 units to enable use of an alternaive DC. Our dealer is pushing the Tesla, and your review gives confidence without the marketing bias.
(Continued in next post)

[DizzConnected]

I'll find all of this out soon down at the dealer, but they'll only say "it's not that bad".
Most dealers have NO idea of how bad a seemingly small inconveniece can be we have to deal with it for hours on hours, day after day.
I'd be interested to read your most recent experiences - have you got anything more to add ?
(Continued in next post)

[DizzConnected]

However, the pole mount looks incredibly cumbersome - does the bracket detach from the Tesla quickly, or are the 4 mounting points a threaded ?
The thought of carrying it around off the pole with that big bracket and ball attached is very unappealing. Worse still it appears it would be even more cumbersome if/when you want to mount the DC on a tripod. Does the back of the unit also have a hook for tripod mounting ?
(Continued in next post)

[mickie]

what happens when the Topcon Tesla screen goes white?? The screen is bright light, can't see anything but when you hit the screen it sounds like it works, but can't see anything.??

[hearnjack]

Some good unanswered comments below, it would be wonderful if someone could answer them. Just saying.

[Funner]

Nice data collector for about a month. Don't waste your time with it. You will get phantom key presses. Mine is type 3's and spaces. Very unreliable. Even for free not worth the time and frustration. I'm looking into buying the Topcon FC 6000 with a glass screen to eliminate phantom key strokes. The FC 6000 is much much lighter to carry around on your pole.