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The iG5 (released April 2021) is the
fifth
generation of the popular iG4. iG3s, X900S-OPUS and X90D-OPUS receivers which
were first released in June 2013 by iGage.
The iG5 tracks more
satellites (GPS + GLONASS + Galileo + BeiDou) with a huge channel count.
Complete differences are listed [
here ].
1.
What are the differences between the iG5 and
the predecessor iG4?
The iG5
is the latest installment of a long line of dedicated 'static'
receivers from iGage and CHC Nav.
X90D-OPUS,
X900S-OPUS, iG3, iG4 and now iG5
have
all provided static only operation at a very reasonable price.
Targeted at OPUS occupations but suitable for all static jobs these
receivers have had a very wide, loyal following because of the high
device quality, great tracking and very reasonable prices.
The
iG5 is sold at the same price as the iG4. [
iG5 Pricing
]
The
iG5 tracks 624-channels, the iG4 tracks 432-channels.
The
iG5 tracks QZSS, the iG4 does not.
The
iG5 has a non-removable battery and must be returned to iGage
for replacement. Cost is $154 and includes return shipping.
The
iG5 battery has twice the capacity of the iG4 battery.
The
iG5 has a much longer run time on the internal battery.
The
iG5 uses a standard USB Type-C connector, available nearly
everywhere. No special $150 cable is required.
The
iG5 will charge and run from a standard external battery pack,
available nearly everywhere.
The
iG5 can be charged from the USB port in a vehicle.
The
iG5 (4.7 x 4.7 x 3.4" 27; oz.) is much smaller than the iG4 (7.5
x 7.9 x 3.3"; 49 oz.).
The
iG5 has a metal case bottom.
The
iG5 has Wi-Fi interface for configuration, no serial cable or
special Bluetooth required. Possible to configure from an iPhone
via Wi-Fi. (iPhone Bluetooth was incompatible with the iG4.)
The
iG5 has 6GB internal memory, iG4 has 4-GB.
The
iG5 kit does not include a Hold-A-Pole or Stedi-Rest.
The
iG5 User Manual is pocket sized to fit inside the smaller case.
Like the iG4, the iG5 needs only be turned on to begin recording
data, however many more modes are available and the pushbutton
definition for the data button is slightly different.
2.
What are the
differences between the X90D-OPUS (original static receiver) and the
iG5? Here is a list with explanations:
iG5 tracks 624 channels
instead of 24, more is better of course
iG5 is MUCH smaller and lighter weight
iG5 has Bluetooth and Wi-Fi
iG5 tracks GLONASS, Galileo and BeiDou, this helps the receiver
continue to track under heavy canopy
iG5 comes in a much smaller hard case, easier to pack, costs a
little less to ship
iG5 is charged with a standard USB Type C cable and wall
transformer
iG5 internal battery is qty 1 6,800 mAh instead qty 2 2,200 mAh
iG5 runs longer
iG5 battery replacement is $154 and must be performed at the
iGage depot
iG5 MSRP costs $2,400 instead of X90-OPUS $2,450 MSRP (however
the street price of the iG5 is probably higher than most people
purchased X90-OPUS receivers for)
iG5 includes Ground UPS shipping instead of 3-Day Select
(required because of new shipping regulations)
iG5 does not need a dedicated external power cable, you can use
any USB Battery Pack
3. The
price seems too low, is it too good to be true? This is
the #1 comment from callers inquiring about static receivers from
iGage. Please be
assured that these receivers are extremely well built.
The accessories are first class and the hard-shell carry case and
foam insert will protect your receiver for years of hard service. The GPS
engine is top notch, the ground plane antenna is large, well anchored, the phase center tolerances are tight and
extremely well matched between devices and the Lithium-Ion batteries
are top of the line. With 6-gigabytes of flash
memory, you can keep months worth of observations on the device.
These receivers are built specifically
for iGage by one of the largest (and we think the best) GPS
manufacturers in the world. We designed it to exactly fill the
requirements for static processing with no extras.
We (iGage) write and maintain the
software tools and provides fantastic service and support. The iG5, like its predecessors is the 'Real-Deal.'
4. How long will the
iG5 run on the internal
battery? About 12-hours at 70 deg F. If you need files
longer than 8-hours we recommend that you attach a standard USB
external battery back.
For applications with line power available, the power supply will also power the
receiver while charging the internal battery.
5. How long does it take the supplied charger to
recharge a battery? From 0 to 80% is about two hours. The
final 20% takes another couple of hours.
6. How much memory do
these receivers have?
6-gigabytes. The receiver typically generates 14 MBytes per hour
with normal constellations at 1-hz recording interval. At one second
recording interval there is enough memory for about 20-days. At
5-second intervals about 100-days and at 30-second intervals about
1.6 years. Files are automatically broken into 24-hour coverage.
7. Has the antennas been calibrated by
the NGS? Yes. The antenna is also listed in the OPUS
dropdown box. Calibration files may be found [
here ].
8. Can the
iG5 be used as a RTK receiver? No. The iG5 will not work
as either a RTK Rover or RTK Base.
9. Can this
receiver be used as a source of network real-time corrections?
No.
10. Why do you
have to paste (Control-V) then press enter to fill in the ZIP
filename when submitting to OPUS? The Internet Explorer
has a reasonable security precaution that will not allow a program
to automatically upload a file from your computer to the internet.
If the iGx-Download tool could automate this step, then a malicious
program could steal your address book, or any file, from your
computer. If you absolutely need automatic submission, check the OU
(OPUS Upload) checkbox in the tool and the NGS submission form will
be skipped.
11. Why does
the download program decimate and ZIP observation data?
OPUS initially decimates submitted data to 30-second intervals, so
there is no reason to submit higher rate data. We ZIP the submitted
files to shorten the upload time.
For alternative services and RINEX
files exported with the 'Export' button, the tool exports full rate data
files.
12. Does the
iGx Download tool support OPUS-Projects? Yes. See page 49
in the [
User Manual ].
13.
Would the iG5 GNSS receiver be a good choice for a large highway control
project? Yes.
The iG5 receiver is a fraction of
the price of alternative devices. Given the same hardware budget,
you could purchase three to 8 times more iG5 receivers than you
could using repurposed RTK heads. More receivers allows densifying a
control network with fewer sessions.
14.
Where can I purchase the Internal Battery?
You must return the receiver to iGage for battery replacement. The
cost with labor and return shipping is very reasonable (considerably
less than purchasing two batteries).
15. L2C?
Yes. L5? Yes.
624 channels, 4 constellations , 5 hz ,
GPS: L1, L2, L5 GLONASS: L1, L2 QZSS : L1 , L2 , L5
BeiDou: B1 , B2, B3 Galileo: E1, E5a, E5b SBAS: L1
RINEX 2.11 files
have these observables:
16 C1 P2 C5
C7 L1 L2 L5 L7 S1# / TYPES OF OBSERV
S2 S5 S7 D1 D2 D5 D7
# / TYPES OF OBSERV
RINEX 3.02 output
files have these observables:
G 12 C1C C2W C5I L1C L2W L5I S1C S2W S5I D1C D2W D5I SYS / #
/ OBS TYPES
R 8 C1C C2P L1C L2P S1C S2P D1C D2P SYS
/ # / OBS TYPES
C 12 C1I C7I C6I L1I L7I L6I S1I S7I S6I D1I D7I D6I SYS / # /
OBS TYPES
E 12 C1X C5X C7X L1X L5X L7X S1X S5X S7X D1X D5X D7X SYS / # /
OBS TYPES
Sample RINEX 2.11 output files
are available [
here ].
16. What is the
difference between a iG5 and other receivers?
In a nutshell: Price, download
simplicity and performance.
It depends on
the specific GNSS model that you are comparing to. Here are the possibilities: Bluetooth or No Bluetooth; UHF
Radio or no UHF Radio; Cell Data Modem (three models) or no Cell
Data Modem; 32 Megabyte flash or 4 GB flash; USB Flash drive
interface or RS232 Serial Interface; GPS or GNSS; "+" or no
"+'. There is a huge variety of GNSS engines available in the
same case. 17. What is the
difference between a iG5 and the CHC I73?
The iG5 does not
have any RTK capabilities. The iG5 does not have IMU or TILT
capabilities. The iG5 has a slightly different antenna model. The
iG5 is substantially less costly.
18.
Who does warranty and non-warranty service on
these receivers? iGage Mapping Corporation in Salt Lake
City provides service on the iG5 receivers. The receivers are
warranted for 1-year, accessories and batteries for 30-days.
19. Is the
iG5 a good solution for aerial survey applications?
Yes. Unless your application requires recording faster than 5 Hz.
The iG5 is limited to 5Hz data rate.
20. What is
the maximum recording rate for static observations? The
iG5 will record 5-Hz (5 observations per second, 0.200 second
spacing.)
21. What about
a Tripod? Fixed height tripods are best.
22.
What kind of data tests are performed
by the iGx-download tool?
Observation files shorter than
the programmed length (7,000 bytes by default) are outright
ignored.
Observation files without
navigation messages are flagged and transferred to the hidden
"_Error" project.
Observation and navigation
files are checked for minimum RINEX structure requirements.
MP1 and MP2 are monitored for
gross problems, although only severe issues are flagged.
Warnings are generated if the
proper antenna model, HI or email can not be automatically
filled on the OPUS submission
form. (As opposed to just continuing with a default antenna
model.)
Email addresses are checked to
insure reasonable form.
Occupations are automatically
classified as suitable for OPUS-RS or OPUS-Static.
Occupations longer than
48-hours are rejected.
Occupations shorter than
15-minutes are rejected.
Occupations that ended after
the top of the current hour are flagged as probably having no
overlapping CORS data (yet.)
For the first 15-minutes of
each hour, occupations that ended in the previous hour are
flagged as probably having no overlapping CORS data (yet.)
In addition you can trim the
beginning or end of any occupation.
We have 'built-in' functions so you
can share your screen with our support staff and you can submit
entire 'problem' jobs with all meta-data to us for us to look at.
23.
When I enter "2" meters for an
HI, the download tool displays "2.000,0"; what's up with that?
The download tool is inserting a comma to make it easier for you
to discern 1/10th millimeters:
Which is easier to
read? 4743107.431 or 4,743,107.431
Same difference:
2.1315 or 2.131,5
24.
Does the iG5 track L5? Yes, see question 12 above.
25. Can
you download files from the receiver while it is recording data?
Yes. You can also download data via Wi-Fi while the receiver is
recording data. You should not download the active file.
26. When
sessions are enabled, do the sessions start at the top of the hour
or 1-hour after the file is opened?
Both are possible. The
default is to record a 24-hour file, then immediately open another
file and record for 24-hours, continuing forever.
27.
How long will the iG5 run on an external
battery? The iG5 draws 4.5 watts from the external
battery. It will run until the external source is empty and then
continue on internal the battery. When external power is connected
the external power is used to run the receiver and charge the
internal battery.
28. If the
receiver is set to 30-second epochs, how long will it store data
before the internal memory fills? It depends on the
recording rate, elevation mask and number of satellites that are
tracked. For 5 Hz, 0 deg mask and 22 to 30 SVs 1,750,000 bytes per
hour are typically generated. The receiver has 6,741,970,900 bytes
available for user storage, more or less.
29.
What happens if the battery runs out during an
occupation? If the battery runs out, or the the receiver
is powered off while the receiver is storing data, the file is left intact
in memory. No epochs are lost.
30.
What happens if external power is attached?
The iG5 will run off of external power until external power is
removed and then switch to the internal battery. The internal
battery is charged by the external power source.
31.
What kind of RINEX file is exported?
2.11 by default. You
can manually generate other RINEX versions. Samples are available [
here ].
32.
What about 'Elevation Mask'? The
iG5, by default, is set to record satellites above 0 (zero)
degrees. OPUS ignores observations below 10 degrees (this used to be
15 degrees however it was changed to 10 degrees.) We want the engine to begin tracking SV's as soon
as they are visible so that as they rise to 10 degrees they are
fully tracked and locked.
It is possible to change the
minimum value via Wi-Fi see page 84 of the [
User Manual ].
33.
Did I read that the iG5 receivers
write a RINEX file as the onboard data storage? By
default the
iG5 stores occupation data in a proprietary file format with
the extension '.HCN' in the flash memory inside the receiver.
The download
tool automatically convert the .HCN file to standard RINEX (see FAQ
#27) when the file is downloaded from the receiver.
Here are some
good reasons to like the '.HCN' file format:
-
The HCN file is
compressed. A 9,357,164 byte '.HCN' file is 28,944,578 bytes
when converted to RINEX (32% of original size).
-
This
format is engine neutral, we can change out the internal GPS
engine to an alternate brand or model and still write out '.HCN'
files and use the same conversion tool to generate standard
RINEX data.
-
You can convert an
HCN file to 2.11 or 3.02 RINEX. However, if you write a 2.11
RINEX file you can not later export a 3.02 file.
However, it is possible
to directly store a RINEX 2.11 or 3.02 file into internal memory. If
you choose to do this, our download tool will not work.
34.
I would like to purchase a campaign set of
receivers?
Great! However we no longer offer pre-built campaign kits. We think
that you are better off having 6 separate cases than one huge coffin
sized case. Plus, they cost less too.
35.
What about REALLY long occupations? Will
the iG5 record data for multiple days? Yes, see question
24, the files are automatically broken into 24-hour files.
36. If I
want to manually process the observation files, what tool should I
use?
You can use any tool that has the iG5 antenna model (IGAI73 NONE) and accepts
standard RINEX files. Some tools won't have the 'IGAI73 NONE' antenna model,
but might have the 'CHCI73 NONE' model which is nearly identical. [
CGO2 ] from CHCNav is a great,
inexpensive tool that is purpose made for the iG5. You should use
our download tool to download and convert the native files to
standard RINEX.
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