I will have to upgrade my ageing Topcon robot in the next couple of years and was wondering about some things with Leica robots-
1. The horizontal and vertical screws seem to be different on the Leica with one on either side of the robot. How does this work when doing reflector-less shots as the data collector will usually be in one hand. Normally I go straight form robotic to relector-less using the data collector.
2.I think I read before that the data collector was just a display of the robot screen and that everything was recorded on the instrument. Is this still the case?
3. To coarse point the instrument it seems the robot has to be pushed around by hand and then fine pointed with the screws. When this is being done repeatedly does it result in the instrument being knocked off level more easily? The H&V screws on the Topcon are used for coarse pointing as well.
4. How does the tracking compare to Trimble and the newer Topcon robots which are extremely good at tracking even up very close to the instrument. Does the Leica track as good within a few metres of the robot?
5. Can I use a standard tribrach for traversing with the Leica or will I have to change all my gear?
6. Does Leica charge for updates to firmware etc?
Thanks in advance.
1: That's correct. It's a hassle. Constantly swapping the collector to either hand.
2: If you're running a Leica Robot with a Leica Controller and Leica software, it's stored in the controller.
3: Correct again. It does require a bit more effort to turn the gun manually but we've not experienced any problems with leveling. Just use caution.
4: No experience with other robots but the new Leica robots track very well. They've improved a lot even in the last few years.
5: Not sure...
6: I could be wrong, but I believe you need to have an up to date CCP (Customer Care Package) to get firmware updates. Not sure what it costs though.
You get used to the knob placement.
Leica robots are so darn heavy, it's hard to knock them out of position simply turning them. I am a klutz and what I have discovered after many "make sure" checks is that if it doesn't leave a bruise the setup is probably fine.
The older robots with an rx1210 or rx1220 controller kept all the data in the total station. RX1250 and after, I think they use the data collector.
Leica tribrachs all around. One "not blueprinted" tribrach will eat the instrument feet and then they will all be worn loose over time.
Leica does the firmware updates by yearly maintenance contract, if you are up to date, you get web access to the files.
Zoidberg, post: 378772, member: 8841 wrote: 1: That's correct. It's a hassle. Constantly swapping the collector to either hand.
Seems like a very unintuitive way of doing things alright.
Zoidberg, post: 378772, member: 8841 wrote: 1: That's correct. It's a hassle. Constantly swapping the collector to either hand.
It is awkward with a manual instrument and a remote collector. In Europe, where it's my understanding Leica is based, I'm told that the data is collected and stored onboard. I know that if I'm NOT holding the collector, I can manually point the gun significantly faster with a hand on each motion. Significantly faster. It's difficult to have a hand on both motions simultaneously when they're on the same side of the gun.
But then again, with a robot, why do you even need to look through the eyepiece?
Sergeant Schultz, post: 378840, member: 315 wrote: It is awkward with a manual instrument and a remote collector. In Europe, where it's my understanding Leica is based, I'm told that the data is collected and stored onboard. I know that if I'm NOT holding the collector, I can manually point the gun significantly faster with a hand on each motion. Significantly faster. It's difficult to have a hand on both motions simultaneously when they're on the same side of the gun.
But then again, with a robot, why do you even need to look through the eyepiece?
Sometimes we gotta get those reflector shots in.
Have used the Leica TCRA series and now switch over to the Sokkia SX robots. While it was awkward having old the tangent screws on one side but I realised I became faster and with plans on hand, there was no hassle switch hands or stuffing the plans in my pocket.
Tracking having sampled the opportunity to demo trimble sokkia and geomax, I personally feel that there is no 'best' now. They all track "good" now. It just takes a getting used to how the robot tracks you and what patterns it uses to find you again if it loses lock on you.
Do not that topcon and sokkia still uses the RC unit on top of the prism which I feel is outdated and clunky in design.
I'm at least 1 generation back with a GeoMax Zoom80 (= Leica 1202), but tracking very close to the gun requires steady movement. Once you get about 5 meters away you can be more casual without losing lock. But regaining lock up close is usually pretty easy, just move the prism back into the line of sight (the tracking beam is visible), hold steady for a second, and it'll pick you up again.
For reflectorless shots I hang the DC on the tripod, thus freeing both hands for the motions.
answers to some of your questions depend on the model TS you'll be getting. If you go with one of the newer TS16's or higher there are several options for taking reflectorless measurements. Use the video camera and you don't even have to be at the gun to switch, point & measure. If I want to manually point I usually put the bipod on the rod and stand it up close to the gun, point at what I want then hit the measure button on the controller. If you'll be doing a lot and that procedure wastes time, take the SD card with the job out of the controller and put it in the gun. They put a measure button between the screw knob and focus knob so your eye never has to leave the scope. As long as you don't need to have something else in your hand for some reason running the horizontal with 1 hand and the vertical with the other is much faster than having them both on the same side IMHO.
I think tracking is probably good on all the newest models of robots but with our MS60 I can stand 5' away from the instrument and twirl the rod like a baton and it won't lose lock. I was AMAZED when I saw that having come from an 1105 where if you were that close you had to walk at a snails pace and make sure not to have a hitch in your giddyup or it would lose you. If I had to walk past the instrument I would make sure to give it a 20 or 30' buffer so it wouldn't lose me.
Data can be stored either in the gun internal memory or controller internal memory or on an SD card in either. I find the SD card is a little more flexible and can quickly be swapped between the two if need be.
I have a Trimble S series that I love. I have used Trimble data collection for years.
I recently bought a Leica MS60. The data collection and workflow has been rough for me to adjust to. I am finally starting to catch on.
The MS60 has a vertical knob on each side of the gun while a horizontal knob on one side. I think...maybe focusing is on both sides. Who cares. If you buy a new ts16 or ms60, you can aim from the data collector with a telescope camera. Just saying....
If you're using a collector, store it there. If you're using the gun store it there and switch it out if you want to.
I don't know which topcon you are using, but I think the newer topcons you have to shove around too. I know that you do with Trimble and Leica. It's not a big deal though.
The MS60 has piezo motors in it. It's rated at 180 degrees/second so it's faster than the Trimble S series. I don't think that the TS series are quite as fast. The MS60 has not produced a bad lock yet. The filter learn aspect of the gun is nice too.
The MS60 will not shoot closer than 1 meter though. That is quite aggravating.
I believe that you need to use a Leica tribrach for the gun but not for anything else. But if you traverse the proper way then yes you will need two new tribrachs.
Updates are based on CCPs. It's an annual renewal cost. Blah. So is Trimble though and I've heard that topcon is starting some new way too. We will see.