GeoShack conducted a pair of GPS user group meetings in Ohio in Akron on Feb. 22 and Columbus on Feb. 29.

The agenda included a GPS overview followed by a presentation on the latest GPS news, features and benefits. A presentation on working with project files, available support packages and special promotions offered by GeoShack also was held.

Attendees were encouraged to bring their data collectors for a free update to the latest version of Pocket 3D.

The meeting opened with a brief state of the company address by GeoShack Vice President Dan O’Reilly, who said that with 19 retail and two wholesale locations and company wide growth of 30 percent last year, they are now the largest Topcon dealer in North America. The company has continued to grow despite a challenging business environment, already adding two new locations in 2012 — in Quebec and Texas. The company is developing a central warehousing operation that will deeply stock Topcon and other products, providing the fastest delivery possible for customers.

Other highlights of the event included a presentation of the new Topcon HiPer II Dual Frequency GNSS receiver. The units are designed to be smaller, lighter and faster with improved receiver performance and greater user friendliness. The system is fully customizable, providing maximum flexibility in system options for a number of applications. Equipped with a faster processor and capable of remote access, other features of the new HiPer II include cable-free Bluetooth wireless operation, voice messages of receiver status, swappable Li-ion batteries, optional integrated GSM or CDMA modem, optional integrated SS or digital UHF radio and a slot for SD or SDHC memory card.

Also introduced at the GeoShack GPS meeting was the new Topcon TESLA tablet PC type large screen data collector. The TESLA has a Windows Mobile 6.5.3 operating system and operates with Topcon’s software suite, Pocket 3D and Layout.

Three models of the TESLA are offered, the GEO and the GEO G3 units, all of which come with WiFi and Bluetooth wireless technology. A 3.2 MP camera is offered with both the Geo and the Geo 3G versions and a 3G GSM modem is provided with the Geo 3G unit. Weighing in at less than two pounds, the units feature an LCD screen measuring almost 6 in. and have a swappable battery to enable continuous operation on the jobsite.

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