Backpack Recommendations for Robot?

The S-6 box is a backpack and 360 prism fits right in the box. I have the Multitrack head which comes in a separate hard case that also fits the TSC2 and is keyed to fit and be strapped onto the top of the S-6 case. I typically just use the S-6 box and put together the rod with all its accessories. instrument on my back, legs one hand, loaded rod the other and a stake bag full of necessary gear slung over my neck.

I have a soft sided pack from I think Seco. Only used it a few times. Nowadays I try and have someone with me to help pack gear. Traversing with a robot by yourself is alot of back and forth. It's quicker with 2 people. I've always been leary of putting my instrument in a back pack but the one I have has worked pretty well when used. Gotta be carefull.

If you do buy a soft pack, be sure to get a TOP LOAD, not a front load. You do not want the instrument spilling out onto the pavement. I happens!:-(

+1

And get one with a frame so it will sit on the ground and not tumble over.

Seco makes a soft pack with frame for a robot. It is a little larger, top loading, and has extra padding on the inside. Mine is about two years old, and is holding up quite well. I use it about twice a month in rugged terrain.

I worked for a guy who used a soft backpack for his non-robotic TS. In the 6 mos I was there that TS had to go to the shop twice, and both times it was out of adjustment enough to cause some things to have to be re-staked (2 minutes out, turning the focus ring would make the crosshairs jump a little when you passed the 80 foot focus.) Not sure if it was just a beat up instrument to begin with or careless handling in the soft pack or what. The re-staking could have been avoided with more field checks, and you would hopefully do those even with a known good instrument. But it made an impression on me and since then we (different company) have never used a soft backpack.

The red Leica hardshell cases have slots for optional backpack straps, and it's actually pretty comfortable to carry for miles that way.

You could also use something like a Kifaru Cargo Hauler and put the hardshell case on it.

I carry a Leica TCRP1203 in a Seco front load backpack. There is a small seatbelt strap inside the instrument compartment to keep it from falling out.

It rides in its hard case in the truck and on small jobs but on traverse jobs we use the backpack.

It has a compartment on top for the DC.

http://www.surveying.com/products/details.asp?prodID=8120-00-ORG

I use a front load SECO case for a large (older) Leica robot. I am on my 2nd case and have had no problems. I did try a top load case but the instrument was too big to fit. I have also carried my T1/T1000 unit many mines in such a rig and have never had a problem.

I did buy a SECO frame backpack a few years back. I showed it to my son who was working for another firm at the time and his comment was "we have one of those and it is junk". I was a little taken back as this was the latest and most expensive case out at the time. Well after loading all of my gear in the case and putting it on I found that it did not work well, as my son had stated. The case isn't designed very well (my opnion), it carries the load way too low and constantly trys to pull you over backwards. I adjusted straps, shifted the load and anything else I could think of but it still was very poor. I really think they should have consulted a backpack manafacture for some design help, the load should be carried close to your back and as high as possible, not the case here.

I gave the pack up (never used) for auction at our annual convention, the money went to our scholarship fund. I bought another soft SECO pack which works fine.

I have used the "native" hard instrument cases in the past with the straps for backpacking but have found them uncomfortable and subject to failure when the attachment hardware tears out of the hard case. I think the best deal is a soft case in the field and then back into the hard case in the truck.

T.W.

> I worked for a guy who used a soft backpack for his non-robotic TS. In the 6 mos I was there that TS had to go to the shop twice, and both times it was out of adjustment enough to cause some things to have to be re-staked (2 minutes out, turning the focus ring would make the crosshairs jump a little when you passed the 80 foot focus.) Not sure if it was just a beat up instrument to begin with or careless handling in the soft pack or what. The re-staking could have been avoided with more field checks, and you would hopefully do those even with a known good instrument. But it made an impression on me and since then we (different company) have never used a soft backpack.

Half,

I've used a soft backpack with both the DOT I worked for and a private company. I've never had a problem with either knocking the instrument out of adjustment, per se. But, I was talking to a guy at a calibration shop (Southern Photo maybe?) that said the problem is not the field carrying of the instrument in pack, it's when you get back to the vehicle and don't put the instrument into the hard case that the problems begin. I had a crew that simply would not take the gun out of the bag and put it in the case at the end of the day, so everyday when I left (I was always the last to leave), I would check on the gun and it was always in the bag. I would put it in the hard case, but it had ridden home in the bag. I yelled and I cajoled to no avail.

Just my $0.02.

Carl

ooh, yeah, that would explain it.
That poor TS rode around in the truck in the soft bag.

> > I worked for a guy who used a soft backpack for his non-robotic TS. In the 6 mos I was there that TS had to go to the shop twice, and both times it was out of adjustment enough to cause some things to have to be re-staked (2 minutes out, turning the focus ring would make the crosshairs jump a little when you passed the 80 foot focus.) Not sure if it was just a beat up instrument to begin with or careless handling in the soft pack or what. The re-staking could have been avoided with more field checks, and you would hopefully do those even with a known good instrument. But it made an impression on me and since then we (different company) have never used a soft backpack.
>
> Half,
>
> I've used a soft backpack with both the DOT I worked for and a private company. I've never had a problem with either knocking the instrument out of adjustment, per se. But, I was talking to a guy at a calibration shop (Southern Photo maybe?) that said the problem is not the field carrying of the instrument in pack, it's when you get back to the vehicle and don't put the instrument into the hard case that the problems begin. I had a crew that simply would not take the gun out of the bag and put it in the case at the end of the day, so everyday when I left (I was always the last to leave), I would check on the gun and it was always in the bag. I would put it in the hard case, but it had ridden home in the bag. I yelled and I cajoled to no avail.
>
> Just my $0.02. 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
>
> Carl

I know a cure for that, put the backpack in the garbage can and let them use the hard case all the time. I would also visit them on the site the next day to make sure that they were not carrying the gun on the tripod. In this day and time employees are easier to replace than equipment. The last rodman that I hired is an LS and was glad to get the job.

Must my $0.02

Steve Corley

That's true, they aren't comfortable. The square shape isn't ideal and they are sized for 5'-5" surveyors.

Anyone who has used a real modern backpack from a quality backpack manufacturer knows they are way more comfortable but usually the stuff you put in there is easily conformed to the small flat spaces.

I used a backpack frame with tie straps to secure both cases of my Leica robotic setup, also provides an upright position when sitting on the ground, although it is a bit top heavy. Before that I had a big soft rucksack that would accomodate the Sokkia instrument case, as long as you had the pad positioned correctly. If it slipped you got the unpadded hardcase in the small of the back, no fun.

Instruments should always be transported in their original hard cases,no exceptions. This is a delicate piece of equipment and one careless bump, you are down for the count until it can be fixed.