Next month I'll be purchasing a new or used reflectorless TS and data collector.
My budget is $7,500 for the TS and $2500 for the DC.
I am partial to Sokkia but not inflexible.
Any recommendations?
Scott
Sokkia is Topcon . I have used Topcon for 20 years and think they make great total station . I would stay away from thier data collection program . But a Topcon total station with Carlson data collector would be a great choice.
> Sokkia is Topcon
Sokkia was bought by Topcon, but they're very different manufacturers.
Jim
Not sure if you looked at the difference in the total stations but ones blue and ones yellow .
I just got a Topcon ES.
Save youself money and look at SOUTH Instruments. These are made in China but so are most of the other instruments you can get. You can can make price compairances by looking at www.quantumgear.com/south_surveying or go to thier web site http;//us.southinstruments.com. ,to find a dealer in your area.
You could pick up a good used Trimble 5603 in that price range.
Scott,
Check your email.
Ed
I'd suggest checking out how much the reflectorless degrades the ability to read through scrub, fencelines etc.
I know instrument resellers make various claims in that department.
That said they are only what I have been told.
May not be an issue if you are in the wide open spaces.
I have used most and the best so far is Sokkia, their beam is tight enough to get thru chain link fences even at an angle, and has very good range, which is great for establishing backsites on signs, towers, windows etc.
Also there robotic with catcher and sensor are a good second gun if you need to go solo once in a while to stake. The older units can sometimes be had for your budget.
You do not want the WIDE beam reflectorless.
Scott, I have a Leica, NARROW beam Reflectorless. Scott, here is a test I propose:
Set up your test gun, and a piece of wood, like a 2x4x8 with small nails in the top, about 150' away. Set the two nails to be about 7' apart, DISTANCE wise, and 0.15' apart in line. Shoot them both. See what it does. I use a tiny pinch of DOT reflector tape on mine. Play with it, and figure out when it breaks.
This little test will tell you alot, about your proposed use.
Also, shoot a building corner, with a pinch of reflector tape, then, move above or blelow it, and back and forth, side to side, to see what distances is gives.
These tests will tell you what it can do in the field.
N