This article discusses what land surveyors need to know about the affordable CT8X2 Rugged Tablet. Because land surveyors work in changing and extreme environments, they need rugged hardware that operates in harsh environments, has a long-lasting battery, supports a range of field data collection options, and is affordable. Land surveyors need the CT8X2 Rugged Tablet.
Optimal operation in harsh of environments
The CT8X2 was designed with a variety of environmental performance benchmarks in mind that elevate it above a consumer-grade tablet. Some of these benchmarks include operating temperature, exposure to water and dust, sunlight readability, and protection against to shock/drops. The CT8X2 was designed to operate in temperatures ranging from -4°F to 140°F (-20°C to 60°C), making this rugged tablet ideal for any environment from deserts to arctic temperatures.
Because surveys are often completed in dusty or rainy conditions, a tablet that is dustproof and waterproof is critical for land surveyors. An ingress protection rating defines the level of protection against the intrusion of dust and water. The CT8X2 has an IP67 rating. This rating means that the CT8X2 is sealed against the finest of sands and dust, and against water immersion of up to one meter for up to 30 minutes.
Sunlight readability is another specification to consider for land surveyors. The CT8X2 was designed with a large 8” sunlight readable display that fights glare and is compatible with polarized sunglasses no matter how you rotate the screen.
Land surveyors also appreciate that the CT8X2 was built to withstand up to 3.3’ (1.0 m) drops to concrete. The HD IPS display offers high-visibility and is overlaid with Gorilla® Glass that protects against scratches and adds to the drop protection. This shock and screen protection gives land surveyors the confidence necessary to purchase and use the CT8X2 in harsh environments.
A long-lasting battery
With extensive hours in the field, a rugged tablet must last all day in the field. The CT8X2 is built with a powerful, removable, 8000 mAh Li-ion battery that lasts 8 hours. If that isn’t long enough to complete the job, land surveyors can swap out the battery for a fresh one and have additional time in the field. If the land surveyor doesn’t have a spare battery, they can plug in a power bank to the USB-C and augment or recharge the CT8X2 battery. These options empower land surveyors to get the job done the first time.
Versatility to support field data collection
The CT8X2 features a u-blox M8030 GNSS chip. This GNSS chip enables users to get accuracy as low as 1 meter in clear skies and roughly 5 meters under tree canopy. With an internal receiver, users can perform low-level GNSS work, such as field scouting to locate monumentation and control before a survey and document possible obstructions or other challenges that could slow down a survey. The tablet also has a variety of options for connectivity to help users get the most from the CT8X2 including GPS + GLONASS + BeiDou + Galileo (UBLOX M8030), Bluetooth® 4.2, and more for an improved GPS experience with a rugged tablet.
The Bluetooth® capabilities of the CT8X2 are ideal for pairing with high-accuracy mapping or surveying GNSS receivers. Land surveyors can then select the level of accuracy that meets the needs of the specific job they are working on. To get accuracy within 2-5 meters, users can use the CT8X2 alone. For more precise mapping, users can use the Geode Sub-meter GPS Receiver or pair the CT8X2 with an RTK receiver for surveying to achieve greater accuracy in the field.
In addition to the CT8X2’s GNSS and Bluetooth capabilities is the device’s camera. Product Manager, Tim Royer explains.
“Surveyors are increasingly taking photos at each point or even an overview of the entire survey to document that they were there,” Royer said. “That way, if someone moves their stakes after they leave, etc., they can show where the point was initially taken. Having a built-in 13 MP rear camera means one less piece of equipment that the surveyor would have to carry.”
An affordable rugged tablet built for land surveyors
Juniper Systems understands the needs of land surveyors and recognizes that while a consumer-grade tablet won’t cut it, not every budget can afford a professional-grade tablet. That’s why the CT8X2 has the rugged features to perform in harsh environments but is positioned at an affordable price. To get a deeper look at Juniper Systems’ CT8X2, check out the product page or contact our sales team today.