[Acoustics] Campbell CR1000 DCP's

[Dave Gunderson]

Dave,

When you replace one family of Data Logger with another expect a major 
learning curve on all levels. We experienced this first hand when we 
upgraded from Sutron 8200/8210 to their new line of 9210/XPert series DCPs 
last year.

>From the guy that extracts the log in the field to the guy that writes any 
specialized code expect problems in understanding the new DCP's operations 
and capabilities. You're correct. You will be starting fresh.

At first our field people disliked working with the new product. After 
working with 8210's and it's supporting software for years, using the new 
equipment/software was difficult. The new Data Loggers had superior 
resolution, more versitile setup capabilities and better logging 
capabilities. However, the new software and procedures were difficult for 
the field people to fully understand. Once they felt comfortable with the 
new equipment - they wanted to convert all of their sites to the new system.

Speaking of  the ease of programming for SDI-12 for SonTek or RDI with your 
replacement choice (the CR1000). I'd download the CR1000's Manual and the 
CRBasic Manual and get familiar with the section on programming for the 
unit. I'd then get an SL to use. Call your CS Rep for a sales visit and see 
how easy it is for him to program up the unit while at your site. After you 
had become familiar with the documentation, you will know the questions to 
ask when the Rep is visiting.

I can tell you from personal experience of programming and deploying Sutron 
systems that there are situations that require something more than the 
standard setup can offer. This is when you have to rely upon the 'BASIC' the 
DCP has. Look closely at the SDI-12 support that the BASIC contains. I'd 
look at:

1. How well can the BASIC addresses handling multiple parameters.
2. SDI-12 capability level supported. -AND-
3. How well can the BASIC support SDI-12 instruments that act 'non-standard' 
to the SDI Spec.

Hopefully, this will give you something to consider in the selection of your 
replacement DCP.

In case you were wondering about the Sutron 9210 line of DCP's:

Programing on a standard setup consists of function blocks represented as 
icons. Each block has a function. Sensor, Process, Measure, Log, etc. Just 
connect the dots...

Special situations can be handled by XPert BASIC. Compared to the Tiny BASIC 
of the 8210 - It's Sweet...

Best of luck in your selection.

Dave Gunderson
dgunderson at lc.usbr.gov
Boulder Canyon Operations Office
Parker Dam Comm Shop

----- Original Message ----- 
From: Huston, Dave
To: acoustics at simon.er.usgs.gov
Sent: Thursday, September 29, 2005 3:49 PM
Subject: [Acoustics] Campbell CR1000 DCP's

Hey All,

Is anyone out there currently using the newer Campbell Scientific CR1000 
DCP's with either the RDI ChannelMasters or the Sontek Argonaut SL's in 
SDI-12 mode?  If you are, have you had any problems with either the SDI-12 
protocol or programming the CR1000's?  We are planning to purchase some 
Campbell DCP's and are contemplating the benefits of buying the newer 
CR1000's versus purchasing the older CR10X's that many people seem to be 
currently using.  Any insight would be helpful!  We'll be starting fresh 
with Campbell.

Thanks All,

***********************************
Dave Huston, P.E.
Dept. of Water Resources
Central District
3251 S Street, Room E-25
Sacramento, CA. 95816
(916) 227-7583
(916) 227-7600
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