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Best robotic total station using Carlson SurvCE
DJB PLS replied 2 months ago 30 Members · 56 Replies
I used a Leica 1100 and 1200 for about six months each. I have also used an S6 for about a year, a VX for about a year, and an S3 for about six months.
I will admit that the newer Trimble robots are slightly better than both of these older Leica models, but not much at all.
In fact on most sites I think the Leica power search ability makes up for any difference. The newer satellite search function is really nice, though. All of the newer robots turn faster than the old ones, but my goodness – get 100′ from the gun and I can’t out-run any of them. 🙂
I have used the Leica robots in the woods, and if I can see the gun it will find me. Every time*. Not sure what the “one little thing in the way” comment made previously was supposed to mean exactly. If I’m ready for an observation, there shouldn’t be anything in the way…
*with respect to certain vertical angle limitations, but that goes for both brands.
The funny thing in reference to the OP is that I feel the opposite about the DC software. I would “put up with” SurvCE to get to use a Leica. I much prefer Trimble Acces DC software, and like their robots about 80% as much as Leica’s offerings.
I like SurvCE, too, it’s just not as slick as Trimble.
In my experience the Leica 1200 robots track excellently up to about 15′ of the gun at which point you have to start moving like a ninja to maintain lock. When farther away you can run without losing lock. If you do lose lock, PowerSearch re-acquires it within about 20 seconds and often much quicker if you know where to move the rod to avoid doing a 360. SurvCE’s PS left/right is also a useful function. With the introduction of the re-designed scope in the 1200+, TS12, TS15/16 models the instruments track well even at super close range. Trimble may have an advantage with active tracking, but I think Leica wins with passive tracking. If you can afford a TS30 or MS50/60 go that route. Those instruments are simply amazing in speed and accuracy.
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Precision-geo-inc, post: 341242, member: 9801 wrote: In my experience the Leica 1200 robots track excellently up to about 15′ of the gun at which point you have to start moving like a ninja to maintain lock. When farther away you can run without losing lock. If you do lose lock, PowerSearch re-acquires it within about 20 seconds and often much quicker if you know where to move the rod to avoid doing a 360. SurvCE’s PS left/right is also a useful function. With the introduction of the re-designed scope in the 1200+, TS12, TS15/16 models the instruments track well even at super close range. Trimble may have an advantage with active tracking, but I think Leica wins with passive tracking. If you can afford a TS30 or MS50/60 go that route. Those instruments are simply amazing in speed and accuracy.
Pretty much exactly my experience. I think the bottom line is once a person puts in enough time with any brand hardware/DC software to develop the necessary muscle memory to be productive it is hard to see any other brands as being as good. Let alone possibly superior.
Carlson CR2 Robotics and Surveyor 2 user here and I really like the setup. I also used a TS12 last summer with the Viva Software (My hate for that software would have to be another thread), but don’t pay too much attention to all this about “tracking speed” and shooting through the woods with a robot. If I am in the woods with the robot I have someone stand behind the instrument anyway just to speed things up and unless you plan on mounting the rod to a four wheeler and doing donuts around the instrument tracking speed is not all that important either. It is more of a flash bang effect than anything. It is nice, but not necessary.
Overall the 1200 has been a solid instrument. Still working on learning to use it as a regular total station for building layout and turning 90’s, but it has been reliable and accurate.
I would be interested in using the TSC3 with Carlson also. I did not know that was an option. Will have to dig into that one.
C.Tompkins, post: 341390, member: 975 wrote: Carlson CR2 Robotics and Surveyor 2 user here and I really like the setup. I also used a TS12 last summer with the Viva Software (My hate for that software would have to be another thread), but don’t pay too much attention to all this about “tracking speed” and shooting through the woods with a robot. If I am in the woods with the robot I have someone stand behind the instrument anyway just to speed things up and unless you plan on mounting the rod to a four wheeler and doing donuts around the instrument tracking speed is not all that important either. It is more of a flash bang effect than anything. It is nice, but not necessary.
Overall the 1200 has been a solid instrument. Still working on learning to use it as a regular total station for building layout and turning 90’s, but it has been reliable and accurate.
I would be interested in using the TSC3 with Carlson also. I did not know that was an option. Will have to dig into that one.
Here’s a trick for you: if you want to just use your Leica robot as a regular old total station to shoot a quick distance or measure an angle without setting up a job simply take the CF card out and go to survey.
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Thanks for sharing all of your experiences.
I think we have it narrowed down to either a Carlson CR2 (Geomax zoom 80) or a Focus 30. I will have to demo them and see what works best.
Precision-geo-inc, post: 341395, member: 9801 wrote: Here’s a trick for you: if you want to just use your Leica robot as a regular old total station to shoot a quick distance or measure an angle without setting up a job simply take the CF card out and go to survey.
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I will have to try that. Thank you.
I just purchased the Carlson Surveyor+ and the new Topcon PS robot. I love it. The data collector runs the robot seamlessly. You can turn the tracking function off when you are working your way behind trees and brush, then get to where you can see the instrument and in about 5 seconds it will be lock on and ready to shoot.
I highly recommend getting a Spectra Ranger 3 with Fast Survey. Fast Survey is pretty much Carlson but gives you the ability to run a Spectra Focus 35, which in my opinion is the best option.
Trey3ntt, post: 342861, member: 10742 wrote: I highly recommend getting a Spectra Ranger 3 with Fast Survey. Fast Survey is pretty much Carlson but gives you the ability to run a Spectra Focus 35, which in my opinion is the best option.
Will fast survey run dwg and carlson files?
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hillsidesurveyor, post: 339247, member: 7292 wrote: Since Spectra uses Survey Pro and is owned by Trimble I was assuming they wouldn’t be compatible with Carlson, thanks for letting me know that the Focus 30 and Focus 35 will work with Carlson software.
Do you have any experience with the Focus 30 or 35? How is their tracking ability? If it is on par with the passive tracking of an S3 or S6 this may be what I am looking for.
Thanks
I absolutely loved my 30. Tracked very well to me for passive tracking. I am looking now to go to an s6 for the active tracking but unfortunately they are so much more expensive.
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Rich., post: 346941, member: 10450 wrote: Will fast survey run dwg and carlson files?
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FastSurvey is Carlson. Exact program, just a different name from the Ashtech era. Still supported Carlson.
hillsidesurveyor, post: 339100, member: 7292 wrote: First off, I know this topic has been covered many times and I have been researching all of the past threads on this subject, but haven’t been able to find the answers I am looking for.
I love the Trimble S-series instuments and their tracking ability, but would really like to stick with Carlson software so that we can run other brands of RTK GPS from the same data collector. I have also used a Leica 1205 with Carlson, but it isn’t even close to the Trimble as for as tracking ability goes. It seams if you have a clear path a truck can drive through and one leaf in the way the 1205 will blow right by you in the power search mode.
So is their and insturment that can hang with the Trimble with regards to tracking in the woods and brush that is compatibale with Carlson SurvCE?
I have heard good things about the Leica TS 15, but you have to use the CS 15 controller with Carlson. Has anyone used this combinatation? Does the CS 15 play well with other brands of GPS?
After all of my research it looks like my best options are:
Leica TS 12
Topcon PS/Sokkia SXDoes the TS 12 track better than the Leica 1200 series in the bush?
The Carlson and Geomax models look to be rebranded 1200 series instruments so I would expect their tracking ability to be the same as the 1200.
Thanks in advance for sharing your experiences. If only Trimble would play well with Carlson all would be good in the world.[/QUOTE
The Sokkia SX & Carlson CE is a very nice combo, we run 3 Sokkia robots (a SX, a DX & a SRX) with Surveyor2’s.
C.Tompkins, post: 341390, member: 975 wrote: Carlson CR2 Robotics and Surveyor 2 user here and I really like the setup. I also used a TS12 last summer with the Viva Software (My hate for that software would have to be another thread), but don’t pay too much attention to all this about “tracking speed” and shooting through the woods with a robot. If I am in the woods with the robot I have someone stand behind the instrument anyway just to speed things up and unless you plan on mounting the rod to a four wheeler and doing donuts around the instrument tracking speed is not all that important either. It is more of a flash bang effect than anything. It is nice, but not necessary.
Overall the 1200 has been a solid instrument. Still working on learning to use it as a regular total station for building layout and turning 90’s, but it has been reliable and accurate.
I would be interested in using the TSC3 with Carlson also. I did not know that was an option. Will have to dig into that one.
Have a Focus 30/Ranger3 with SurvCE 4.07 on it, works without fault.
Looking at upgrading my robot as well from an old Topcon 8000 to one of the Carlson CR’s or GeoMax or maybe even a Leica since all those seem to pair well with Carlson. The Topcon is an active target (somewhat) with the RC-II. I’ve never used anything else so my question is how do those instruments do at reacquiring the target once they’ve lost lock. I’m not talking about tracking, I’m talking about it can’t find you, or you’ve made it stop following you, you’ve moved and then asked it to search. That’s my biggest fear about not having the RC-II “dog whistle” to be able to call the instrument right to the prism.
Leica TS15 with GeoCOM will be working with your current data collector as far as I know so it is not necessary to buy CS15.
I am actually currently selling the one right now (see my advertisement on this website) in case if you would like to take a look at it.
I recommend you still double check it with Leica dealer since I never utilized GeoCOM because my data collector is Leica CS20.
I have the imaging one so if it is very expensive for you you could take a look at TS15P which is pretty much the same thing but without imaging capability and way cheaper.
I am a “Leica guy” so can’t really speak for other robots but I really enjoyed working with TS15 and now with TS16
how do those instruments do at reacquiring the target once they’ve lost lock.
With the GeoMax Zoom80 (Leica 1200 clone) reacquisition takes about 5 to 10 seconds using SCOUT360 (Leica PowerSearch), depending on how far the gun has to turn. (I’ve done it a jillion times but never timed it, so I’m estimating.) On the Surveyor+, SurvCE v5 allows you to pick which direction the search initiates, so if you know which way the gun is pointing you can speed things up a bit. If you’re working in steep country you’ll probably want to either keep the vertical search window pretty big or estimate the zenith angle before initiating the search.
It’s easier than it sounds. When shooting single-face sideshots, for example, pressing the Read button (or the Enter key if you haven’t moved the focus to another softkey) will automatically initiate a counter-clockwise search if the gun isn’t already locked, and it’ll take the shot as soon as lock is regained.
Just demoed the CR5 and I have to say I’m quite impressed….
Hey Guys, I’m new to the site and have a question for you all. We are a small company up in maine (ie 4 people full time) and have a topcon DS 105AC Robot. Unfortunately when it was first bought we didn’t get the tech support that cost another 5,ooo from topcon, so we don’t have much for resources to refer to. My question is what type of process do you all go through to get tight closures when doing traverses? We have an old school guy that much prefers to use a non robot for doing traverses, and I’m trying to figure out how to assuage his distrust for the robot. Lately we have done alright on a small 4 sided traverse using 2 360 prisms as BS and FS, but I wouldn’t hate it being tighter. Any Suggestions would be appreciated, Thanks!
That Carlson CR5 bears a strong physical resemblance to a Geomax Zoom 90. Which itself seems to be a Lieca TS12 clone. So it goes.
The thing I like best about Leica is the way they, and their accessories, shoehorn into their carrying cases. Do the Geomaxs’ and Carlsons’ retain that?
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