Robotic advise

"We don't have RTS555 over here (as far as I know)"

So where is over here?

Posted by: leegreen

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So where is over here?

I believe...?ÿ

RSAsurv =?ÿ?ÿRepublic of South Africa surveyor

James.

A very good assumption and sounds plausible.

I would have never guessed that!

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We don't have RTS555 over here (as far as I know). How are they and how do they compare to an S3 or S6?

And how is the Focus 30 or 35 compared to the S3/S6?

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The RTS series machines are marketed to contractors. Contractors aren't, generally, very careful with survey equipment. There is a high likelihood that a used RTS has had a rough life. Other than that they are the same as comparable Trimbles.?ÿ?ÿ

I have serious concerns about the build quality of the Spectras. They deliver good data but the just aren't made for the long haul. But not many buy these things and keep them for life anymore. Usually a service life of 5 years is enough to get you to the next generation technology. A used one? Hmmm...?ÿ?ÿ

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That VW bus and the Ocean was a good clue too ??ÿ

I would like to hear from some long time users of the?ÿFocus 30 or 35.?ÿ How long do they last?

I bought my first one in 2013 and a second one in 2015.?ÿ The only problem I had was the internal on board battery needed replaced.?ÿ I think the Focus 30 hit the market in 2012

We have a few Focus 30.?ÿ Most are 5+ years old and still going strong.?ÿ We run them with Survey Pro.?ÿ They work for most of our crews, as 90% of our work can be done via RTK.?ÿ While I've used one for extensive construction layout and general mapping, the Trimble S6 is obviously far superior. The major drawback is the lack of active tracking. However, for an instrument that need not do the bulk of data collection or staking, they fit our needs.?ÿ

Thanks fellas. ?ÿAny other long time Focus users?

Hi guys,

sorry been busy the last week so haven't had a chance to look at the forum.?ÿ

- @leegreen : haha yes over here as indicated is South Africa.

As always Trimble and Leica overwhelm the market. Overall there are mostly S3,S5,S6,S8 going around and then the 1200 series Leicas and some guys are running the newer range of TS06,12 etc.

Spectra, Geomax, South, Nikon are rare and just not used. Only the really small firm are running those

- @norman-oklahoma

Thanks good to know. So rather stay away

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Thanks for the info guys, will keep looking and make a decision hopefully soon

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• We've had a Focus30/Ranger3 for 4+ year, run it with SurvCE on the Ranger3. It was great the for 2 years then the radio in the Ranger3 crapped out, got that fixed and the screen went 2mo later, fixed that too. One day I did a topo 2.5hr from the office, came back and 1/2 the shots were either 100'+ too long or right close to the gun. Had to go back the next day and do it with the Sikkim. Trimble took it for 2mo for testing, upgraded firmware, calibrations and said it was fine. We get it back, the 3rd shot it blows and issues start all over again. Back to Trimble 2 more times (lost gun for 7mo total) everything inside gun checked, edm board & angle readers replaced, tested and re-tested, verified by Trimble to be 100%, basically a new gun. Get back again, 1st BS check throws a 109' HD error. Almost threw it in the Hudson. Finally, our dealer, who is great, suggested that maybe the SurveyPro on the Ranger3 is the issue even though we run it only on SurvCE. The problems happened in both SP & CE so he got up a free SP update, installed it and poof, not a problem since. I must assume that even though we run CE the SP must somehow handle the radio communication from collector to gun which caused all the problems.?ÿ If it wasn't for our great dealer we probably would've dumped the gun on eBay for holding down papers on a desk, we were also lucky enough to have instruments to cover us for the 7mo it was gone.