If you were looking to start a new business and owned no equipment, what would you envision being the best initial purchase/approach?
Regular total station and a part time rodman?
Robot and solo?
GPS and regular total station as/if needed?
Do the photo routines on the Triumph LS work well enough to supplant a total station? I don't see how it could in 100% of scenarios, but you can do pretty good location with GPS if you use swing ties, offsets, etc.
I could probably grow to two crews by the end of 18 months (I think), but not sure what the future would hold.
Personally I'd try to start with a robot because it's the most versatile tool and I don't want something that will limit me. If you anticipate that kind of growth you should do your homework and commit to a manufacturer so that as you add tools they all play well together.
I'd try to add a network rover with static capability at the first opportunity, then build from there.
In my experince robots are more reliable than people. So robot first, then network rtk.
Lee D, post: 328170, member: 7971 wrote: commit to a manufacturer
I have been down this route before. You do see some benefits, to a point, but a smaller shop with low employee turnover could make as good as or better use from "Cherry picking" and mixing technologies. Carlson makes a really nice common ground.
If the Triumph LS works as well as advertised I would think the time savings would almost justify purchasing it first? I need to demo one...
Also, we have an excellent RTN - but it is aging. I would definitely see better results with a local base - especially with all the newer birds. I am actually thinking I may set up a local internet base.
I've done quite a bit of homework for quite a while, and used just about everything out there (except the newest Leicas and recently unveiled Trimbles) in a production environment. I'll probably go a Geomax/Javad route.
Plumb Bill, post: 328166, member: 226 wrote: If you were looking to start a new business and owned no equipment, what would you envision being the best initial purchase/approach?
Regular total station and a part time rodman?
Robot and solo?
GPS and regular total station as/if needed?Do the photo routines on the Triumph LS work well enough to supplant a total station? I don't see how it could in 100% of scenarios, but you can do pretty good location with GPS if you use swing ties, offsets, etc.
I could probably grow to two crews by the end of 18 months (I think), but not sure what the future would hold.
Depends on where you are and what you do. For me the best choice was GPS with reflectorless for the ALTAs on shopping centers and apartment sites that are my specialty, but we mostly have open spaces. You could always lease or rent short-term both GPS and robotic and see what is best for you. It won't take long for you to decide what is best for you. Once you start cursing either the GPS or the robot, you'll know.
ps Putting that very large check in the FedEx envelope to pay for my Leica equipment was the scariest thing I've ever done. I don't know how many times I took the check out of the envelope and looked at it, trying to get up the nerve to send it off. Turned out to be a gold mine/cash cow, but who knew? Sometimes you just have to have faith it will work out.
Static GPS receiver and a robot. You can accomplish almost everything with those two. Eventually upgrade to network RTK.
so many factors at play.
1. what's does your workload consist of?
2. what are your local network options?
3. how much do YOU want to work?
seems like those are the three main questions (for me, at least) when calculating investment level. that said- two-ish years ago i was in whole hog: knew the workload was there, was willing (and able) to work as much as needed to get it all done, and the multiple local networks are all pretty robust. then it became a matter of shopping: cost-wise it was a wash, asked for "package" price for a static/network antenna, a robot, and a collector to run them both. worked entirely alone for 8 months. spent +/-60K for all the gear, which was- personally- a big bite to take. and financed it for two years. in reality the gear paid for itself within 3-4 months, just recently made the last payment on it though (figured why do an early pay-off on a 0% loan...). if you're confident the work will be there, i don't know why you wouldn't jump in all the way. i can run in static control, rtn in whatever i want/can, or just pull the robot out and come off what i've set.
two years later we're working with 2 robots, 2 antennas, and 4 controllers. which can, in effect, mean 4 working crews at any given time: typically on most jobs, once control is established/verified one guy runs the antenna and one runs the robot.
Plumb Bill, post: 328166, member: 226 wrote: If you were looking to start a new business and owned no equipment, what would you envision being the best initial purchase/approach?
Regular total station and a part time rodman?
Robot and solo?
GPS and regular total station as/if needed?Do the photo routines on the Triumph LS work well enough to supplant a total station? I don't see how it could in 100% of scenarios, but you can do pretty good location with GPS if you use swing ties, offsets, etc.
I could probably grow to two crews by the end of 18 months (I think), but not sure what the future would hold.
What does your business plan say/allow you to do?
Well that's why I ask. Just started working on it. 🙂
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Plumb Bill, post: 328371, member: 226 wrote: Well that's why I ask. Just started working on it. 🙂
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Excellent - your business plan needs to come before all else. This should be the first step in thinking about starting a new business. Surveyors are notorious in thinking that because they passed a licensing exam they are instantly sucessful businessmen.
Definitely robot. I started out with a robot and a rtk base/rover setup. Both were used, and still work great today. It allowed me to take on some jobs that helped me grow the business, and operate solo pretty efficiently.
Brad Ott, post: 328195, member: 197 wrote: In my experince robots are more reliable than people. So robot first, then network rtk.
I don't know about such a decision there Brad. I did a couple solo/robotic jobs for my former boss a time or 2. He left me in the field all day while he got caught up on some office work and a meeting or 2.
Since I was being part-timing him it was all good.
BigE, post: 328455, member: 435 wrote: I don't know about such a decision there Brad. I did a couple solo/robotic jobs for my former boss a time or 2. He left me in the field all day while he got caught up on some office work and a meeting or 2.
Since I was being part-timing him it was all good.
But even in this scenario it was enabled by a robot. 🙂
I would go solo to start just to keep things simple and avoid payroll etc. These days a surveyor needs both tools to be competitive in my opinion. Keep your overhead low by picking up a decent used robot and RTK system or just a network rover. If I had to choose just one I would definitely go with a robot, but this also depends on what kind of work you want to do.
There's no reason you couldn't get both for under $20k if you spend wisely. Start with a GPS only RTK system to save money if you mostly work in areas without obstructions. You can always upgrade to a full GNSS setup in the future if things go as planned. If things don't work out you can always sell the equipment for close to what you paid.
My Leica TCRP1203 is getting a little long of tooth, but it still works great, and the best thing is it's paid for! Best of luck to you on the future business.
ÛÏIf you were looking to start a new business and owned no equipment, what would you envision being the best initial purchase/approach?Û
Take a close self examination of your business skills. Surveying is only a portion of a successful business. You also have to consider proficiency in accounting, human relations, insurance, benefits for employees, marketing, overhead, telecommunications, buy or lease a copy machine (oh! thats fun!), computers, and on and on.
If you feel you can handle all that, or at least think you can then, like flyin solo said:
ÛÏif you're confident the work will be there, i don't know why you wouldn't jump in all the way.Û
I did what solo did in 1988 and never looked back. I originally started with five, all of whom are still with me 27 years later. Currently employ 13.
It has been a personally and financially rewarding experience.
Wish you the best of success. B-)
As Red Green says: "Remember, we're all in this together", we're pulling for ya".