Hello, I am new to the world of surveying and the equipment that follows. I was given this technology from my cousin, and I am learning how to use it, super fascinating. Does anyone have an idea of how popular or useful this set up is? Do I need any more parts to make it work better, any tips for operating? And what is the overall value of this set, I am not about to find any more online about the Zeiss Elta S20 and Topcon Delta Guppy GTS-1.
I have also attached photos to this thread, thank you for your help.
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Those are 2 to 3 decades old technology so you won't find many surveyors using them. Perhaps someone might have a nostalgia for them. Watch ebay sales to see what market there is on them.
That said, the Zeiss was a very capable instrument and if it is in good working condition could produce very useful measurements.
Any battery packs that have sat around a long time would need to be rebuilt.
You will need a tripod with the right mount, probably the common 5/8"-11, but I haven't checked.
To measure distances you need a reflector. For long distances that would be a corner cube prism. For playing around between a few yards to maybe 100 yards, some brands of "driveway marker" red reflectors will work. Car taillight lenses sometimes give sufficient reflection for a quick check that it is operating.
For accurate readings of angle or distance you need to need to have the reflector accurately positioned over the point of interest. Read about tribrachs and/or prism poles with a plumbing bubble.
If you have no background for this, your first purchase should be a slightly out of date (hence cheap) textbook like Wolf and Ghilani's Elementary Surveying.
The GTS-1 "Guppy" came out in 1979, so over 40 years ago. It was the first "total station" that many surveyors my age (over 60) ever used. As Bill said, if it has any value, it is nostalgic.
Resale value is probably less than the cost of shipping anywhere, or even the petrol to get it across town.
That isnt to say that they cannot be useful tools. If they are in calibration and working, they can still produce. But, no surveyor use them without a current calibration. And, I cannot imagine anyone buying them.
If you can't power them up, then you have good 30x telescopes and not a lot more.
A detachable tribrach would sell on ebay. The Topcon cable might sell, depending on just exactly what it is.
Wow, Thank you, Bill! This is a very good start and now I have a plan as to using this and beginning to rebuild and collect the necessary items in this kit.
This is the sort of thing you are looking for:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/233821341301
If you tell us what you are up to, we could help you go there. Are you looking to get these going, and use them? (Personal use) or get them going, and sell them? Like others have said, they are "useful antiques" in my words.?ÿ
There was a day when we'd have paid thousands of dollars for them! I'm sure that there's a data collector out there, that might work with those. I've never used either of those, but are either of them fully electronic? If so, that's the one to fix up. Electronic means it'll send data into a handheld computer.?ÿ
Anyhow, surveying is not a "get rich gig". But, it has its addicts. Kind of like people who love cars, or farming.?ÿ
Thank you,
Nate
I have a Zeiss Elta s20 Robot.?ÿ It uses a HP48gx data collector with SMI.?ÿ I tried to sell it a year or two ago for $2,500 and could not find any buyers and that was with batteries and data collector.?ÿ
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It does appear as though yours is a robot as well.?ÿ The handle having that little black piece on it is an indicator of that.?ÿ That is an IR sensor that looks for a "dog whistle" on top of the prism in case it looses lock.
The guppy will still operate as a mechanical theodolite, even If edm is nfg.?ÿ
The zeiss would be interesting to have for nostalgic purposes. Ive never seen one in use
Maybe I shouldn't admit this but I still have a Zeiss Elta S20 robot in service.?ÿ I'm running survey pro robotics on a Husky FS3 and on board.?ÿ
Don't let its age fool you.?ÿ It's a bulletproof instrument and data collector with high build quality.?ÿ Aside from close range tracking, I prefer it to our Trimble robots.?ÿ It's certainly in the shop a lot less.
That being said, my instrument has value to me, but it's barely worth the shipping to anyone else.
Any more pieces and what software??ÿ Without the radio, data collector and quicklock, it's only a 2 man gun.?ÿ If it has survey pro on board, then it's still one of the fastest 2 man setups for topo I've ever used.?ÿ?ÿ
Maybe I shouldn't admit this but I still have a Zeiss Elta S20 robot in service.
When I first entertained the idea of going robotic I looked pretty hard at the S20.?ÿ It seemed like a very capable instrument, but before I even got close to pulling the trigger it seemed like Zeiss stopped promoting it, and I didn't want to buy an orphan, so I held back.
@rlw word brother. ?ÿHusky dc. ?ÿCool. ?ÿHow old is that unit, 1998 vintage?
@Jimframe
Within 2 years of purchasing, Trimble/ Spectra gobbled up Zeiss.?ÿ I guess that's one way of getting rid of the competition.
Fortunately it's had no issues that needed support.?ÿ At this point, it owes me nothing and I keep wondering what day it will cease to turn on.?ÿ For now, old faithful keeps chugging away.?ÿ
@brad-ott Both Husky and Zeiss are year 2000.?ÿ It's rugged as hell.?ÿ Been dropped and went swimming in the lake but keeps on working.?ÿ Every time I use a newer touchscreen data collector I realize how much I like the old husky.?ÿ You can actually read the screen.?ÿ No glare or scratches.
wow, a GTS-1! someone would surely get that for his collection. looks like it was well taken care of. i am always on the look out for cheap obsolete survey equipment for my collection. that guppy is old enough for someone to collect.
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