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Frequently Asked QuestionsGENERAL How does a pulse laser work?
IMPULSE When using a data collector with my Impulse, which
instrument type do I select?
QUICKMAP 3D, ENCAMPO, T&D UTILITY PAC I don't recognize the screen on my HP48. How do I re-start the program?
MAPSTAR CM How do I configure my MapStar System to talk to
my data collector?
CRITERION 300/400, GEOLASER How do I navigate to a destination?
How do I know which object I'm ranging to? Our lasers are capable of ranging to nearly any type of object. All of our products have a built-in routine to check the alignment of the sighting scope and the laser. Verifying this Bore Sight gives the operator confidence the laser energy is shooting out in the right direction. If the receiver is detecting energy back from several surfaces, it will calculate the range to the nearest one. By trial and error, you can determine which object you're hitting. For example, if you're shooting a phone pole that is in front of a building, pan over to the building and take a shot. Then shoot the pole again. If the range is less, by what appears to be the right amount, you've got the shot to the pole. Likewise, if you think you may have hit some brush in front of the pole, pan over and range directly to the obstacle. Seeing that this distance is shorter will give you confidence you're able to hit the pole. Top of page How big is the laser beam? The energy comes out of the laser roughly the same size as the lens. It then spreads out in a cone shape as it travels away. The divergence of this cone is 3 milliradians. This means that for a certain distance D, the "footprint" of the light energy is 0.003 x D. So, at 100m away, the beam would be 30cm wide; at 1000ft, it would be 3ft wide, etc. Top of page Are your laser products safe to use around people and animals? Yes! All of LTI's products are completely eyesafe. They have been tested and verified by the Food & Drug Administration as being Class 1 eyesafe and fall under the rating of CFR 21. This means that the human eye can be directly exposed to our laser energy continuously for 3 hours with no damage. They are actually less harmful than a typical flashlight and output 1/20 the power of a TV remote control! Top of page Can I work in wooded areas, or in a crowded urban setting? Yes! Not limited by sky visibility, our equipment can operate in all environments, even indoors. In situations where there is brush or some other obstacle between you and your target, our system can be filtered; to reject these returns. Now, when a reflector is placed at the target location, the laser will lock on to this stronger return and give you the shot. Top of page Which external data collectors can I use with my Laser Positioning System? Over the years, we have worked with all of the major hardware and software vendors. With serial output as an option on all of our equipment, the data can be collected by anything with a port. From HP 48's and 200's to the MCV, SDR33 and other ruggedized DOS based machines (Husky, Omnidata, PSION, DAP). Data collection programs from Traverse PC, TDS, SMI, CMT, C&G, D.R.Systems, Sokkia, Trimble, Ashtech and Leica all support interfaces to our lasers. LTI also offers several data collection packages: MapSmart for stockpile work and general mapping tasks; T&D Utility Pac for power transmission applications and QuickMap 3D for accident & crime scene investigation. Pen computers are a data collector option through software from companies such as Pen Systems, Strata, Pen-Metrics and Conic Systems. Top of page When using a data collector with my Impulse, which instrument type do I select? The Impulse will output two versions of the Criterion 400 format. One leaves the azimuth and units fields blank, so programs such as LTI-Map and TPC HandHeld will prompt you to manually type in a value. The other format will insert a Zero (0); value into the string, along with the current angular units designator. Use this format with the Ashtech and Trimble gear, where you can then edit the data to reflect the proper azimuth. When using a MapStar module, this is done automatically Top of page Why has the red dot disappeared from inside the scope on my Impulse? The intensity of the red dot pointer is controlled by the middle button on the left, or secondary side. It must have been pressed inadvertently. Pressing it now will scroll through a series of 5 brightness settings. Choose the intensity that best suits your working conditions. Top of page Can I use the AA batteries with the built-in voltage check to power my Impulse? Only if your serial number is > 3500. We designed the Impulse to be powered by this convenient source, but the tube the batteries slide into has a very tight tolerance to prevent a loose fit and loss of contact. These new cells, having a slightly larger casing, are a problem getting in and almost impossible to get out on these particular serial numbers. Not Recommended! Please contact us if you can't find AA's with the thinner, plain case. Top of page I don't recognize the screen on my HP48. How do I re-start the program? Press Right Shift (green), 2. You should see QM3D now above the A key. Press the A key and you should now see START above the A key. Press the A key and you should be back to the Main Menu. Top of page I can't download my files from the HP48 to the PC? First, check all your cable connections and that the COM port you've specified on the PC is available (must be either COM1 or COM2). If this looks OK, go to the HP 48 and quit the program until you see the cursor at the bottom of the screen with 1., 2., 3., 4. going up the left hand side. You'll probably see a small "1" (one) at the top of the display. Type in: 1 CF (one, space, C, F), press Enter and the small "1" will disappear. Restart the program by pressing RtShft, 2 and the download will now complete properly. Top of page I only get a partial download of my file from the HP48 to the PC? Open up the file on the HP48 and get into Point Recall. Go to the last point which appears to download OK. If you look at the Note for the next point you probably have entered an illegal ' * ' (asterisk) character in the note somewhere. Delete this character (and all other ocurrences of it in your notes) and try the download again. Top of page How do I configure my MapStar System to talk to my data collector? All of the common interfaces have been written to read our Criterion 400 format. For more info, click here. Top of page Why didn't my traverse close? Remember, the MapStar CM, GeoLaser and Criterion 300/400 use an integrated electronic compass. Although this sensor has been calibrated for the effects of the other components of the laser, it cannot be for any external sources of magnetism. No electronic compass can be; you must treat it like any other. Make sure all ferrous metal tools and radios/data collectors are at least 30 cm (12 in.) away. Keep your distance from cars, chain-link fences, overhead lines and other obvious sources. For more info, click here. Good practice and procedure will yield acceptable results, every time. Top of page How do I navigate to a destination? By using the Target Coordinates routine under the Survey menu on the Criterion 300/400. Simply enter your Starting and Ending coordinates on the keypad and the onboard processor will calculate the Azimuth, Inclination and Distance to your destination. Press the Aim key and audio tones will point you in the right direction. If the point can't be reached in one shot, you can generate and store waypoints as you go. Top of page Why don't I get all the information when downloading the onboard data collector? The Unit Survey data storage feature of the Criterion 300/400 will hold up to 20 different surveys. Each of these Surveys must have an associated, unique Unit number. You've probably got a duplicate. Edit in a new number and you'll get all the Surveys to download. Top of page I've got my GeoLaser hooked up to my GPS system, but the data isn't coming through. Why not? We use two distinct formats for serial output: the Criterion 300 and 400. Some interfaces note the difference to determine which instrument is being used. The GeoLaser mimics the format of the 300, so make sure it's the one you've selected and you're ready to go! Top of page My new laptop doesn't have a serial port, only a USB. How can I download my data?
There are Serial to USB adapters available at your local computer store that will handle this.
For example, the Belkin part number F5U103 device will install
onto your computer and allow you to specify the address as either COM1 or COM2. This is a must as the PC software
only recognizes these two numbers. If you need to change the COM port number, do so through the System Device Manager. Make sure you re-boot the PC so all changes will take effect. Now simply download
your data as normal from the HP48 to the PC.
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