Livermore, Calif.– December 18, 2008 – Topcon Positioning Systems (TPS) announces the GMS-2 Pro, the new handheld GIS mapping solution with integrated auto-focus digital camera and laser distance meter.
The GMS-2 Pro provides technological advancements to the GMS-2 that “raise the bar” on what a hand-held GPS device can do for GIS professionals.
When Topcon introduced the GMS-2 hand-held mobile GPS GNSS receiver, the rugged, compact unit was the industry’s first GIS-GPS product with 50-channel dual-constellation tracking, and an integrated digital camera and electronic compass.
“Even more features have been added and now the GMS-2 Pro takes this GIS mapping solution to the next level of functionality to simplify a wider variety of applications,” said Barbara McInerney, GIS product marketing manager. “With the GMS-2 Pro, the best just got better.”
The GMS-2 Pro offers an integrated laser distance meter that can be used in conjunction with the internal compass for offset measurements. Just shoot the obstructed feature with the laser from a wide open, convenient location and your offset position is calculated. Even use the laser to obtain height and width measurements of a feature. Use the stylus to tap two points on the associated image, and the distance, width and height will be instantly calculated and stored as an attribute to the feature. Select the option to geotag your image with date/time and position information for further detail. The internal camera can also be used as a barcode reader. Take a picture of the barcode and the barcode information can be read directly into the attribute field for that feature.
The powerful combination of distance measurement and innovative image capture technology eliminates manual measurements and the use of extra field equipment and configuration.
McInerney said, "Topcon is excited to bring this small ‘all-in-one’ solution to GIS users around the world. For years, users have wanted a quick and easy solution to map features that are inaccessible or that have poor satellite coverage.
“Not only does the GMS-2 Pro solve these challenges, but it speeds up the process while maintaining the accuracy of the data. The ability to measure heights and widths of objects or read barcodes and automatically store those values as GIS attributes is an extra bonus.”
The integrated compass offers +/-4 degree accuracy and the laser distance meter offers an accuracy of +/-5 mm m.s.e at a range of 50 meters. The digital camera offers 2 megapixels for sharp images and there is 256MB of Flash memory, and an SD card slot for additional memory options. Digital photos are automatically linked to features simplifying the field to office workflow.
The GMS-2 Pro also has a BR-1 Coast Guard beacon receiver available for sub-meter real-time differential correction for data collection and navigation. With 4 channels, the BR-1 receiver is able to scan for various available beacon signals and automatically select the best correction available to send to the GMS-2 Pro. The Coast Guard Beacon is a land-based radio signal that is not easily interrupted by obstructions such as buildings, trees and other natural terrain obstacles.
GMS-2 Pro applications include:
• High Accuracy Mapping;
• Asset management;
• City development mapping;
• Environmental research;
• Utility management;
• Agriculture field data collection;
• Oil drilling investigation;
• Forestry;
• Disaster management investigation;
• Crime scene investigation;
• Public property management; and
• Archeological research.
Information on GMS-2 Pro is available HERE
About Topcon Positioning Systems
Topcon Positioning Systems, Inc., (TPS) designs and manufactures precise positioning products and solutions for the global surveying, construction, agriculture, civil engineering, mapping and GIS, asset management and mobile control markets. The company has worldwide employee operations and dealer networks. Topcon Corporation was founded in 1932. It is the parent company of TPS and is traded on the Tokyo Stock Exchange (7732).