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3" or 5" accuracy for a new total station?

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salas
(@salas)
Posts: 1
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Topic starter
 

Hi Guys

I'm planning to buy a robotic total station to start doing jobs on my own!
I'm doing boundary surveys and construction layout.
Can I get thru with a 5" angular accuracy instrument?

Thanks

 
Posted : May 3, 2016 10:07 am
foggyidea
(@foggyidea)
Posts: 3467
Member
 

Yup

 
Posted : May 3, 2016 11:11 am
a-harris
(@a-harris)
Posts: 8761
Member
 

Howdy salas

Yes

Keep in mind that there is a world of difference between a 5" gun and a 3" gun in terms of repeatability in the long run at reaching out farther with shots.

Maybe it is in the quality control when made or tighter specs in the alignment.

:gammon:

 
Posted : May 3, 2016 11:25 am
eapls2708
(@eapls2708)
Posts: 1866
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Your main consideration is probably what type of construction layout you do. If you are doing precise work, go with the most precise and best quality instrument you can afford. If you are doing typical site work stakeout (residential subs, retail & light industrial developments), a 5" gun is just fine. Remember that it was only just over 30 years ago that many of us were still doing that sort of work with a 30" transit and steel tape as standard equipment.

 
Posted : May 3, 2016 12:53 pm
Eric Kara
(@eric-kara)
Posts: 167
Member
 

Calc it out! What is your error in 100' and what is you error in 300'? Then strech it out to 1000'. I think you'll find a 5 second is more than capable. Spend your money elsewhere, like a good bubble in your prism pole or other assesories.

I sell more 5sec instruments than all the other angular acuracys combined.

 
Posted : May 3, 2016 3:12 pm

Rich.
(@rich)
Posts: 779
Member
 

I always use a 5 second. I literally just got a new machine today that is a 3 second but that is because it is a refurbished demo unit and I had no choice

 
Posted : May 3, 2016 3:39 pm
toivo1037
(@toivo1037)
Posts: 788
Member
 

Our DOT requires min 3" gun, so that is what I bought. (we used to use a 1" gun for everything.)

Look at your potential jobs, and see what you need.

 
Posted : May 3, 2016 3:41 pm
FL/GA PLS
(@flga-pls)
Posts: 7403
Member
 

salas, post: 370418, member: 11655 wrote: I'm doing boundary surveys and construction layout.

Me too, been using 7" guns for years.

 
Posted : May 3, 2016 3:52 pm
gromaticus
(@gromaticus)
Posts: 340
Member
 

[sarcasm]I bought a one second instrument, but it still takes five seconds to take a shot. I think I got ripped off...[/sarcasm]

 
Posted : May 3, 2016 3:57 pm