Software · head to head
Carlson Mining vs Imago
The short version
- They diverge on capability: Carlson Mining covers Pit design, Imago covers Geological database.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Carlson Mining and Imago actually diverge.
| Attribute | Carlson Mining | Imago |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 1983 | 1998 |
Identical on both: starting price (On request), pricing model (subscription), free tier (No), platforms (Windows), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).
What each one covers
Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.
Only in Carlson Mining
- Pit design
- Grade control
- Production planning
- Survey integration
- Mapping
- AutoCAD
- ArcGIS
- GPS
Only in Imago
- Geological database
- Drill hole management
- Sample tracking
- Data validation
- Reporting tools
- Leapfrog
- Vulcan
- Excel
Both cover
- Windows support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Carlson Mining
- Pit designnot Imago
- Grade controlnot Imago
- Mine planningnot Imago
- Surveyingnot Imago
- Mappingnot Imago
Imago
- Digitising and managing drill core photographynot Carlson Mining
- Linking core imagery to geological logging datanot Carlson Mining
- Streaming high-resolution core imagery into Leapfrog modelsnot Carlson Mining
- Sharing geoscientific imagery across a distributed exploration teamnot Carlson Mining
- Capturing core images in the field with the mobile appnot Carlson Mining
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Carlson Mining
Nothing recorded yet. See the Carlson Mining review.
Imago
- Now a Seequent product rather than an independent one, so it sits inside that ecosystem and its own domain no longer resolves
- Capturing images at quality expects the Capture X software driving a camera rig, so it is not purely a software purchase
Pricing, plan by plan
Carlson Mining
On request- Carlson Mining Standard$7000/year
- Mining design
- Pit design
- Grade control
- Carlson Mining Professional$15000/year
- Advanced mine planning
- Production scheduling
- Equipment management
Imago
On request- Imago Professional$6500/year
- Database management
- Drill hole tracking
- Sample management
Which should you pick?
Choose Carlson Mining if
- You need pit design.
- You work on Windows.
- You also want grade control.
Choose Imago if
- You need geological database.
- You work on Windows.
- You also want drill hole management.
Questions people ask
- Is Carlson Mining or Imago better?
- Neither clearly leads. Carlson Mining starts at On request and Imago at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Carlson Mining or Imago?
- Carlson Mining starts at On request and Imago at On request.
- Does Carlson Mining or Imago run on more platforms?
- Both run on Windows, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
- What is Carlson Mining best used for?
- Carlson Mining is most often used for pit design, grade control, mine planning, surveying. Of those, pit design and grade control are not what Imago is typically brought in for.
- What can Carlson Mining do that Imago cannot?
- Carlson Mining covers Pit design, Grade control, Production planning, Survey integration. Imago covers Geological database, Drill hole management, Sample tracking, Data validation. Both handle Windows support.