Topcon FC-6000 User manual

i
FC-6000
Field Computer
Operator’s Manual

ii FC-6000 Field Computer Operator’s Manual
Copyright © July 2019 Topcon, Inc. All rights reserved. Information is
subject to change without notice.
Topcon®is a registered trademark of Topcon, Inc. FC-6000 field
computer is a recognized trademark of Topcon, Inc.
Windows®, Windows 10, and the Windows logo are trademarks or
registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States
and/or other countries.
The Bluetooth®word mark is owned by the Bluetooth SIG, Inc. Any
use of such marks by Topcon, Inc. is under license.
The names of other companies and products mentioned herein may
be the trademarks of their respective owners.
WARNING! This symbol indicates that failure to follow directions
could result in serious injury.
CAUTION: This symbol indicates that failure to follow directions
could result in damage to equipment or loss of information.
Part Number 28655-00 JS, 1034910-01 Topcon
!
!
Topcon Positioning Systems, Inc.
7400 National Drive, Livermore, CA 94550
tel: 800.443.4567 lweb: www.topconpositioning.com

iii
Contents
1Getting Started 1
Overview 2
The Anatomy of the FC-6000 2
Perform Initial Tasks 4
2Standard Features 7
Keypad Features 9
LED Activity Indicators 10
Light Sensor 10
Connector Ports 11
Audio Features 12
Sensors 12
Bluetooth®Wireless Communication 13
Wi-Fi Wireless Networking 14
GPS/GNSS 14
Camera 15
Power Management 15
3Optional Features and Accessories 19
4G LTE Data Modem 20
RS-232 Port 21
Oce Docking Station 24
Battery Charger 26
AStorage, Maintenance, and Recycling 27
Storing the FC-6000 and Battery Pack 28
Protecting the Touchscreen 29
Recycling the FC-6000 and Batteries 29
BWarranty and Repair Information 31
Limited Product Warranty 32
Complete Care Service Plans 34

Getting Started
1

2FC-6000 Field Computer Operator’s Manual
Getting Started
Overview
The FC-6000 field computer from Topcon uses the Windows 10 Pro
operating system. Standard features include a 7” display, capacitive
touchscreen, keypad, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, GPS/GNSS, and front and
rear cameras. Standard accessories include a removable battery
pack, an internal battery pack, an AC wall charger, a hand strap, a
connector port cover, a fine tip capacitive stylus and tether, and a
foam tip stylus for use in wet conditions. Optional features include a
4G LTE data modem and an RS-232 port.
The Anatomy of the FC‑6000
Front and Back Features
9Storage Slot for Fine Tip Stylus
10 Location of Internal Battery (not
user accessible)
11 External Device Attachment
Point (1 of 3 on the back)
12 Door to Removable Battery
Compartment and Card Slots
13 Battery Door Lock
14 Speaker
15 Camera Flash
16 Rear Facing Camera Lens,
8 MP
9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
1Ambient Light Sensor
2Front Facing Camera Lens, 2
MP
3Keypad
4Power Key
5Notification LEDs
6Touchscreen and Display
7Protective Over-molded
Bumper (all four edges)
8Microphone (one on each
side)
1 2 43
6 7 8
5

Chapter 1 Getting Started 3
Battery Compartment and Card Slots
Connector Ports
1 Battery Pack, Removable
2 Battery Door
3 Micro SIM Card Slot and
Micro SD/SDHC Card
Slot (underneath card
retainer)
4 Flexible Card Retainer
5 Battery Compartment
6 Docking Connection
7 Hand Strap Attachment
Point (2 on each side)
2
1
5
4
3
6
7
8Connector Port Protector
912 VDC Power Input Jack
10 USB 3.0 Host, Full Size
11 Audio Jack
12 Storage Slot for Fine Tip
Stylus
91011
8
12

4FC-6000 Field Computer Operator’s Manual
Perform Initial Tasks
When you receive your FC-6000, perform the tasks outlined in this
section before first use.
Review Documentation
This owner’s manual and other documents like release notes are
available on our website at: https://www.topconpositioning.com/na/
support. View, download, and print documents as desired, either
on the FC-6000 or another computer with an internet connection. A
PDF viewer is included with your FC-6000 apps.
Install and Charge the Battery Pack
The FC-6000 comes with a rechargeable and removable Li-Ion
battery pack. Install and charge the battery pack as follows:
1. The battery compartment is accessed from the back of
the FC-6000. Push the battery lock switch in, slide it to the
unlocked position, and remove the door.
CAUTION: The FC‑6000 is not sealed against water and dust
when the battery door is not installed.
2. If you are using a micro SD card for additional memory or a
micro SIM card with the Cellular Data Modem (optional), you
can install them now before you install the battery pack or at
another time. If you do this, make sure you replace the flexible
card retainer before installation of the battery. See Chapter 2,
SD Cards or Chapter 3, Install the SIM Card for details.
3. Follow the graphic on the battery label to insert the battery pack
properly.
Hold the battery so that the black tab on the front edge of the
battery is up and facing the door latch (this tab helps you pull
the battery out). Place the back edge in first, gently pushing
!
TO ENSURE DOOR SEAL, INSERT SIDE (A) FIRST!
PARA VEDAR A PORTA, INSIRA O LADO (A) PRIMEIRO!
PARA SELLAR LA PUERTA, INSERTE PRIMERO LADO (A)
ERST SEITE (A) EINLEGEN – SICHERT TÜRDICHTUNG!
P/ VEDAR A PORTA, INSIRA O LADO (A) PRIMEIRO!
(A)
(A)

Chapter 1 Getting Started 5
it underneath the two battery catches. Rotate the front edge
down until it is in position.
CAUTION: Do not insert the battery pack straight down.
Damage to the unit could occur.
4. Replace the door and press down on it until the latch pops into
the locked position.
5. Attach the appropriate plug for your country into the AC wall
charger and plug it into a wall socket. Plug the other end into
the DC power jack on the FC-6000.
Note: Use the AC wall charger that came with the FC‑6000 or
another approved charger from Topcon.
6. Charge the battery pack at room temperature (68°F or 20°C) for
6 hours (for the first charge). While the battery pack is charging,
the red LED blinks. When it is fully charged and external power
is applied, the red LED is solid.
Note: The FC‑6000 will not recognize an internal battery until
the FC‑6000 is being charged for the first time.
Perform Set Up
The first time the FC-6000 is powered on, Windows setup options
are shown. Follow the prompts to set up your unit as desired.
Attach the Hand Strap and Stylus Tether
A hand strap, fine tip capacitive stylus, and tether are included with
the FC-6000.
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Black Tab

6FC-6000 Field Computer Operator’s Manual
Hand Strap
To attach the hand strap to the FC-6000, follow the images below.
You can attach it to the right or left side of the FC-6000:
Stylus Tether
1. Attach one end of the stylus tether to the stylus.
2. Push the free tether loop through one of the tether attachment
points located on the side of any of the four corners of the
FC-6000.
3. Insert the stylus with the attached tether through this loop and
tighten the loop.
4. Place the stylus into the stylus storage slot located on the
bottom of the FC-6000.
1
2 3

Standard Features
2

8FC-6000 Field Computer Operator’s Manual
Standard Features
This chapter discusses the standard features included with every
model of the FC-6000 field computer with Windows 10 Pro.
Display and Touchscreen
The FC-6000 has a bright color display and capacitive touchscreen
with a diagonal viewing area of 7 inches
(178 mm).
Display and Touchscreen Profile Settings
Display Settings
To adjust the display settings including the text size, brightness, and
orientation, go to the Action Center and select All settings > System
> Display.
Backlight Brightness
There are a few shortcuts to adjust the display backlight brightness.
Open the Action Center. Tap the percent tile (sun icon) to toggle the
display backlight brightness up or down in 25% increments from
0% to 100%. This same tile can be accessed by tapping the battery
icon on the desktop. To simply dim the backlight, tap the Battery
saver tile. Tap it again to return it to the previous brightness.
Touchscreen Profile Settings
To adjust the touchscreen profile, go to the Start menu and select
Touchscreen Profiles. Select the touch profile you want the screen
optimized for: Finger and Stylus (default), Finger, Stylus, Wet, or
Glove. As the new profile loads, a progress bar is shown. Do not
interrupt the loading process. You can try dierent profiles to see
which one works best.
Using the FC‑6000 in Wet Conditions
When using the FC-6000 in wet conditions, you must use your
finger or the soft-tipped stylus that is included on the capacitive
touchscreen, even if the Wet touchscreen profile is selected. The
hard-tipped stylus is not supported with the Wet touchscreen
profile. Third party styli may work with the FC-6000 touch screen,
however, performance may vary.
Calibration Tool - Do Not Use
If the Windows 10 screen calibration tool is used, it may degrade
touchscreen performance.

Chapter 2 Standard Features 9
Keypad Features
The FC-6000 has programmable keys, a power/suspend key,
windows key, enter key, and a navigation pad.
The keys are sealed and have backlight illumination.
Key Function
Windows Start screen
F2 Volume down (programmable)
F1 Volume up (programmable)
Move left
Move right
Move up
Move down
Enter (return)
ESC Escape key (programmable)
Power
Press and release: On or sleep
Hold for 5 seconds and pull down screen: Power o
Hold for 10 seconds: Reset device.
Hold for 20 seconds: Electrically disconnect the battery
pack(s); to reconnect the batteries, you are required to
plug in the charger or external 12 V power.
Programmable Keys
The F1, F2, and ESC keys can be configured to launch applications
or functions.
To assign the programmable keys, open the Start menu and
select Keypad (located at the bottom of the Start menu screen in
a shortcut tile). The Keypad Buttons and Backlight panel appears.
The programmable keys and their current assignments are shown.
Select your preferred function per key from the drop down menus.
!
!

10 FC-6000 Field Computer Operator’s Manual
Keypad Backlight Brightness
To adjust the keypad backlight brightness, go to the Start menu and
select Keypad. At the bottom of the Keypad Buttons and Backlight
panel is a slider that adjusts the keypad backlight brightness. You
can make the backlight brighter by moving the slider to the right or
turn it down by moving the slider to the left. Dimming the keypad
backlight extends battery life when the FC-6000 is in use.
LED Activity Indicators
LED activity indicators are located on the front of the FC-6000 in the
upper-left corner.
Red LED, solid: 1) When the FC-6000 is put to sleep or powered
o by pressing the power key , the red LED is solid until the
unit has successfully completed the process, and then the red
LED turns o. If powering o the device, do not remove the
battery while the light is solid. 2) The AC wall charger is plugged
in and the battery is full (not charging).
Red LED, blinking: The AC wall charger is plugged in and the
battery is in the process of charging.
Green LED, solid: Turns on when the system is booting,
programmable.
Blue LED, solid or blinking: Programmable.
Amber Light: Front or rear facing camera is in use.
The green and blue LEDs are in the same location. They cannot
be shown simultaneously. These LEDs can be programmed by a
developer. Sample code is available upon request.
Light Sensor
All units have an ambient light sensor located on the front of the
FC-6000 in the upper-right corner. The light sensor dynamically
adjusts the backlight on the display.
You can disable this process and manually control the display
brightness if you prefer. Go to the Start menu and select Settings >
System > Display. Turn o Change brightness automatically when
lighting changes and tap Apply. To manually adjust the display
backlight, tap on the battery icon at the bottom of the desktop

Chapter 2 Standard Features 11
screen. The display backlight brightness can easily be toggled up or
down in 25% increments from 0% to 100% by tapping the percent
tile (see the sun icon).
Connector Ports
The FC-6000 has a 12 VDC power input jack, USB 3.0 Host type A,
and a 3.5mm audio jack.
Connector Protector
The connector protector is removable and replaceable. To remove
it, pull it out of the ports, then gently pull the curved rubber retainers
out of the holes they are in. Replace it by inserting the curved
rubber retainers back into the holes. See your sales representative if
you need a new one.
Note: The connector protector is not required to maintain the seal
of the connectors or the FC‑6000. The connector protector is
intended as a port dust cover
SD Cards
The FC-6000 has a slot for a micro SD card located in the battery
compartment. The card slot and flexible card holder are designed to
hold the card securely in place so it will not come out or disconnect
if the FC-6000 is dropped. To insert or remove a card, follow these
steps:
1. Power o the FC-6000.
2. Remove the battery door as outlined in Chapter 1.
CAUTION: The FC‑6000 is not sealed against water and
dust when the battery pack and battery door are not installed
properly.
CAUTION: Always power o the FC‑6000 before removing
the battery. Failure to do so may cause loss of data or damage
to the FC‑6000. EXCEPTION: If your FC‑6000 has an internal
battery, this caution does not apply. You can safely remove the
removable battery while the unit is running.
3. Remove the battery pack by pulling up on the black tab on the
battery pack.
!
!

12 FC-6000 Field Computer Operator’s Manual
4. An image on the battery compartment label shows the correct
location and orientation for the SD card (slot on the right). Pull
the flexible card holder back out of the way. Push the card into
the slot to insert it.
5. Push the flexible card holder back into place, covering the card
slots.
6. Replace the battery pack, and attach the battery door.
To remove the SD card, pull it out. Use tape or an eraser if you have
trouble.
Audio Features
The FC-6000 has the following audio features:
Speaker - The speaker provides audible indicators and program
feedback. You can listen to mono audio files and watch video.
For stereo audio, use Bluetooth, headphones or HDMI output
from the optional dock.
Microphone - Use the microphones to record audio notes or
include sound in a video, using the camera. Built in microphones
can also be used for Skype calls.
Audio Jack - The audio jack supports a stereo headset or
headset/microphone combination with 3.5 mm connections.
Sensors
Compass, Accelerometer, and Gyroscope
The FC-6000 has a built-in compass and accelerometer. The
accelerometer assists the compass in determining direction, even
when the device is not resting flat. The gyroscope senses change in
angular motion. The compass, accelerometer, and gyroscope can
also be used by other user applications.
SD Card
Slot
Flexible
Card Holder

Chapter 2 Standard Features 13
Compass Calibration
The compass has been factory calibrated. Periodic user calibrations
help the compass function in the environment the FC-6000 is being
used in.
1. Open an app that uses the compass.
2. Move the FC-6000 around in the air so that it is oriented in
dierent directions and angles. An eective way to assure this
is properly done is to move the FC-6000 back and forth in a
sideways figure 8 for approximately 30 seconds.
Bluetooth®Wireless Communication
The FC-6000 has built-in Bluetooth®wireless technology,
allowing you to connect it to other wireless devices with Bluetooth
technology.
Creating a Partnership/Pairing a Bluetooth Device
To create a partnership between the FC-6000 and another device
with Bluetooth technology:
1. Turn both devices on.
2. Place them within a few feet of each other. (The FC-6000 has
long range Bluetooth, but the other device might not.)
3. Make Bluetooth discoverable on both devices. Bluetooth on the
FC-6000 is o by default. To activate it, open the Action Center
and press and hold the Bluetooth icon. Select Go to settings.
4. In the Bluetooth settings screen, you should see a list of all
Bluetooth devices within range. Tap on the name of the device
in the list you would like to pair with, then tap Pair. If prompted,
enter the PIN or pass code of the paired device. You should
now be paired with the device.
Note: If Bluetooth is on and the FC‑6000 enters sleep or hibernate
mode, Bluetooth turns o to save battery power. The connection is
resumed once it powers back on.

14 FC-6000 Field Computer Operator’s Manual
Wi‑Fi Wireless Networking
The FC-6000 has built-in Wi-Fi wireless networking to connect to
the internet or an oce network.
Connecting to a Wi‑Fi Network
To use Wi-Fi, you need to be in range of a Wi-Fi access point to
make a connection. When Wi-Fi is turned on (the default), the
FC-6000 automatically starts scanning the area for available Wi-Fi
networks.
From the Action Center, click and hold the Wi‑Fi network icon, then
select go to settings. A list of available networks is shown. Select
the network you want to use and enter the network security key.
The FC-6000 remembers the Wi-Fi network connections created.
Wi-Fi can be turned o and on and settings can be managed from
this set up screen.
GPS/GNSS
The FC-6000 field computer uses an integrated GPS/GNSS receiver
with an internal antenna to provide position information. Use Maps
to see your location and ensure that the receiver is working. Open
the Start menu and select Maps.
GPS/GNSS Support
Integrated GPS/GNSS Support in Windows
The Windows operating system provides built-in support for GPS/
GNSS devices. As part of that support, the Windows Sensor
and Location platform provides a standard way for GPS/GNSS
information to be made available to applications that have been
designed using the Windows Sensor and Location application
programming interfaces (APIs).
Legacy Support
In addition to the Sensor and Location APIs, legacy applications that
require access to a serial port can access NMEA data through a
serial COM port interface. The name of the COM port can be found
by using Device Manager and looking under Ports (COM & LPT)
for “u-blox Virtual COM port (COMx) where “x” is the port number
allocated on your device.

Chapter 2 Standard Features 15
GPS/GNSS Accuracy
The GPS/GNSS antenna is at the top under the notification LEDs. It is
intended to work in both portrait and landscape view. Do not put your
hand or another object over this area. Accuracy may be reduced.
The more items between the antenna and the satellites, the lower the
accuracy.
Camera
The FC-6000 has a front facing camera that is 2 MP and a rear
facing camera that is 8 MP.
You can capture both still images and videos using the camera
application. Other options include a timer, flash, and brightness
settings.
Photo and Video Library
Photographs and videos are automatically stored in the Pictures
folder.
Power Management
The FC-6000 runs on battery power, using a rechargeable, Li-Ion
battery pack. The FC-6000 also has an internal battery. The FC-6000
operates on either or both battery packs.
Charging the Battery Pack(s)
For instructions on how to insert and charge the removable battery
pack, refer to Chapter 1, Getting Started.
For units that have both a removable battery pack and an internal
battery pack, the intelligent internal battery charging circuit first
charges the battery pack with the least amount of energy. When
this battery pack comes to the same level as the other battery pack,
then both battery packs are charged at the same time until they are
both fully charged.
Battery packs are charged most eciently at room temperature
(68°F or 20°C). They will not charge if it is too hot or too cold.
Battery Status and Management
To find out how much battery life you have left, tap on the battery
icon at the bottom of the desktop screen. The amount of charge
left as a percent and the status of each battery is shown. The

16 FC-6000 Field Computer Operator’s Manual
cumulative amount of battery life left for installed batteries and the
approximate amount of time battery power will last is also shown.
The amount of time left varies depending on what you are doing
with the unit.
Battery Life
Battery life on a full charge can be 18 hours or more. This varies
depending on the applications used, backlight usage, and radio
usage.
The shelf life for battery packs is about one year. The battery packs
should be recharged at least once per year. This prevents the
battery packs from discharging to a level that might damage the
batteries. Battery packs that are not recharged at least every year,
could fail to work or may have reduced capacity. Battery packs
typically last 1,000 to 3,000 charging cycles.
CAUTION: Only use batteries designed for the FC-6000 from an
approved vendor. Use of non-approved batteries may void your
product warranty. The FC-6000 must be returned to the factory
for replacement of the internal battery, although the internal battery
pack is designed to last the life of the FC-6000.
CAUTION: The unit is not designed to run on external power
without a battery installed. Doing so can damage internal
components of your unit and void the warranty.
Powering O the FC‑6000
Short-term Storage
When you plug the FC-6000 into the wall charger that comes with
it, the batteries are prevented from being overcharged.
Charge the FC-6000 to 100% then power it o:
1. Press and hold the power button for 2-3 seconds.
2. A message is shown asking you to slide the screen down to
shut down your device.
!
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