Must be the day for new posters looking for instrument opinions.
Unlike a previous post from not too long ago today, I’m looking at purchasing a used robotic, as I unfortunately cannot afford a new one. I’ve been looking on ebay and I’m a little reluctant to make a $5000 - $10,000 purchase without knowing the history of the instrument or if it works. Being a solo crew, using a GPT-8205 for the past 5 years, I have become use to the prismless feature and use it often, so one of my preferences for a used purchase would be this feature.
While I am only familiar with the Topcon (with the RC unit w/out radios), I have also been looking at the Trimble 5600 series. From people’s comments on this forum, this instrument seems like it would meet my needs and might fit my current budget. Unfortunately, I am not familiar with the radio setup or how the prism search feature works on this unit.
So with that brief introduction, I have a couple questions.
Have people who purchased used equipment on ebay had a positive experience and not received defective equipment?
Would a used Trimble 5600 be a good instrument for starting a solo career? (Anyone in the MA area willing to give me a demo or have a 'shadow' helping for a weekend job?)
Is anyone looking to sell a working, used robotic setup?
Thanks in advance.
I have had very good experiences buying used instruments & plotters off ebay.
Robot questions are over my head.
Bruce
Would a used Trimble 5600 be a good instrument for starting a solo career? (Anyone in the MA area willing to give me a demo or have a 'shadow' helping for a weekend job?)
Absolutely a workhorse, I bought Greywolfe's 5600 and haven't looked back. A lot of battery logistics, but in terms of performance I would put mine up against anything.
Ralph
I have a Topcon , and much prefer it over the Trimble unit I used. The Trimble is a good unit, but theTopcon is easier on the pocketbook.
I have heard that the batteries for the Trimble 5603 are not made any more from a friend that has a few in service.
When I got my instrument about a year and a half ago I couldn't afford a new one either. I went to Hayes in Shelbyville, TN. Their worry-free lease plan is pretty hard to beat. They will finance new or used equipment with the option to buy at the end of the lease, and you can get out at any time with no penalty. I got a used Topcon GPT-8003 and have been very satisfied with it. I know they are a long way from your area, but I'm sure they would be willing to work with you. It might be a good thing to consider before taking the ebay route.
> I have heard that the batteries for the Trimble 5603 are not made any more
The 5600 series (and the Geodimeters that precededed them) use external batteries, so this is only a minor issue. When the last of the OEM black bricks finally die you'll have to go with an aftermarket solution, but that's not a big deal.
> > I have heard that the batteries for the Trimble 5603 are not made any more
>
> The 5600 series (and the Geodimeters that precededed them) use external batteries, so this is only a minor issue. When the last of the OEM black bricks finally die you'll have to go with an aftermarket solution, but that's not a big deal.
Exactly Jim, I run mine exclusively off AC power. I also have a car battery adapter and there are many after market options available.
Ralph
5600 is a very dependable machine.
Mine is 11 years old and has never given me any trouble.
I have used several data collectors with it and I am most pleased with the
Ranger.
Internal battery has to be replaced every 3 years I think.
My only complaint is it is too darn heavy especially with the battery.
I recently purchased an older Topcon instrument from
International Survey Equipment Inc. on ebay.
It has proved to be a very good deal.
I have used both Topcon and Trimble over past few years and if you have been using Topcon you will want to stick with it, IMO.
As for Ebay - No worries. I have bought lots of stuff with never a problem. A $9000 robot years ago and a Topcon FC2000 DC this past year from Romania. Take a look at Ebay's "Buyers Protection" and only pay with Paypal/Credit Card.
Best of Luck to you,
Scott
I've found buying and selling amongst surveyors is safe. Before I offered my 5600 for sale, I sent it in for cleaning, calibration, and recelled the batteries, so that the next surveyor would have a good instrument ready to work. If Ralph ever decided to sell it, I wouldn't think twice about buying it back from him. I would stick to buying from survey shops and other surveyors.
The geodimeter, Trimble 5600, Focus 10 are all the same gun and a real workhorse. I know some complain about the weight, but it's never bothered me and I'm 100% solo. Coastal Instruments in Florida does a good job recelling batteries for a reasonable fee.
Gary
> I've found buying and selling amongst surveyors is safe. Before I offered my 5600 for sale, I sent it in for cleaning, calibration, and recelled the batteries, so that the next surveyor would have a good instrument ready to work. If Ralph ever decided to sell it, I wouldn't think twice about buying it back from him. I would stick to buying from survey shops and other surveyors.
>
> The geodimeter, Trimble 5600, Focus 10 are all the same gun and a real workhorse. I know some complain about the weight, but it's never bothered me and I'm 100% solo. Coastal Instruments in Florida does a good job recelling batteries for a reasonable fee.
>
> Gary
:good: :good:
Yes, The 5603 I used in 2002 used 3 external batteries in a cradle type mount. I really liked the instrument. With those three batteries, the one for the radio, and then the battery in the rod for the prism, there was alot to charge. I never ran this instrument off of an aftermarket external battery.
My friend who has a few of these still in service mentioned to me a few weeks ago that he had just had to get a few recelled, or that he was looking to get a few re-celled, I don't recall exactly.
It was/is a good instrument. I just don't like the nickle and diming that Trimble seems to adhere to.
I bought a used 5600 robot on Ebay a few years ago, and it has been by far the best and most reliable instrument I've used. If you do buy on Ebay just make sure to buy from a survey sales/service business or from another surveyor. I think a lot of those surplus sellers buy knowingly defective equipment on the cheap, then pawn it off "as-is" claiming they don't have the equipment or knowledge to test it.
As for the radios, look into long-range bluetooth serial adapters- you can probably do a search here and find out more about them. They are small, foolproof units that will last over a week on a battery and cost about $100 each, versus over $1,000 for the heavy brick radios. The ones I use are Parani SD-1000 units.
The one downside of the Trimble is that there is no one here in Mass who does major service on these, so you will need to ship it down to Keystone Precision Equipment in Penn. or elsewhere.
By the way, I'm over in Cambridge and would be happy to give you a demo some time if you want to stop by, just shoot me an email. I also started out my own solo career about three years ago.
We use a 5600 and have been plagued with radio issues. I'm intrigued with your bluetooth option. Would you mind if I gave you a call and asked a few ? Let me know. Thanks.
miniprism@gmail.com
-V
> We use a 5600 and have been plagued with radio issues. I'm intrigued with your bluetooth option. Would you mind if I gave you a call and asked a few ? Let me know. Thanks.
>
> miniprism@gmail.com
>
> -V
I have the paranis and I'm struggling to get them to work.
Ralph
Aloha, Ralph: Did you got your Parani to work? I want to setup my 5603 with this setup...
Any guidance you or others can proved will be much appreciated. I searched the forum. It still not clear what are the items I need buy to BT to work beside two SD1000
thanks
