Compare a Trimble S6 to a new Trimble S5

I just took delivery of an S5 with TSC7/Access last week. I've never had an S6 as a daily driver, but I have had a couple of opportunities to spend a day or two with one over the years. Including one 3 week stint. I'd say that there isn't much space between an S6 and an S5. It could be that there is a little improvement in speed, etc. Not a whole lot.?ÿ

There is a giant chasm between the TSC3 and the TSC7. That screen, that processing speed.?ÿ

Not a fan of 1" guns. In order to see anything out of 1" gun you can't get out of a 3" gun you are going to have to upgrade your tripods, tribrachs, glass, etc. And your field procedures. Only work on cool, overcast days or after dark. No moving vehicles with 300' of your setup. Setup windbreaks and sunshades around the instrument.?ÿ You know - stuff you will never do. On the other hand I guess it doesn't hurt to have a 1" gun as long as?ÿ it doesn't make your wallet too thin.?ÿ?ÿ

We have both S6 and S8 units.

I prefer the S6 - it turns faster and tracks the prism better.

But the S8 is really really good at repeatable distance measures - consistently to the same millimeter

I am a BIG fan of the vision - I prefer it to the track light - it would be my number one goto feature - absolutely essential.

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I have used S5, S6, S7, S9, VX. You can and do notice a difference with the S5. Mostly search and radio related. The S5 does not seem to track as well even with the Active Track Prism and the radio link seems to fade out with the S5 at 1500 feet or so. I would spend the extra money and go with an S7 3"?ÿ

But then again the S5 is better than probably 98% of the other robots on the market - so you're really spitting hairs.

Just remember...When you trade that S6 in it's gonna get smashed and trashed...So sad...I am sure someone would buy it from you and probably give you a better deal than Precision (or whoever) will on a trade-in.

@stlsurveyor

Is that for real, they don't flog them off?

I'm not sure if a 12 year old S6 has active prism tracking but that could be a major upgrade. The TSC7 seems to ba a major upgrade.?ÿ

I just got an S5/TSC7 last week but haven't had a chance to field test it yet. I did use an S7 for several weeks this summer. I didn't use active tracking or vision but I remember it being very similar to the S6 that I ran for many years, except a little faster with better tracking. I would think an S5 would be similar.?ÿ

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Gregg

The S5 is definitely worse at tracking than the S6. A bit hard to understand why Trimble would not make the S5 track as well as an older robot. The s5 is still good though.

The S6 has active tracking, but I rarely use it. Have access to multitrack prisms, but use the 360 99% of the time. Also have been using a Yuma 2, the TSC3 is a spare I dont use any more. Both have Roading since most all my work is construction, all robotic.

If you use Vision, is it possible to turn off autolock and be able to, for example, line a plumb bob point or tack as if you are standing behind the instrument, or is it just better version of a track light? ?ÿ

@richard-imrie

I have heard form dealers that when they take your trade in for the Trimble Discount they strip the SN tags and smash them so they cannot be sold on the black market. So, yes unfortunately I think it is true.  

@stlsurveyor

That is not true at the company I work for (Precision).?ÿ Any instrument taken in on trade is cleaned, calibrated, and put back into service, so long as the instrument is fully functional.?ÿ Any trade in we offer is through the company, not Trimble.

In my experience with Vision, the benefits depend on your day to day work. If you do a lot of topo in wooded or brushy areas, it is hard to use effectively. If you are in wide open spaces it is great. The active tracking prism is a must in urban/street settings. Too many times the instrument will lock on a road sign, tail light, reflector, backsight, etc.

@geoff-ashworth

I agree about the active multitrack prism. I forgot the battery the other day and was forced to use it as a passive target. The instrument fell in love with a street sign and kept going back to that over and over. But with the battery in and the diodes on, no problem.     

@stlsurveyor

I have heard exactly that from my Trimble dealer as well.  

We bought an S5 and a Ranger 7 several months ago.?ÿ I've never used an S6 before but I'm thrilled with the S5.?ÿ I had never used a robot on a daily basis before so it took me a little while to catch on.?ÿ The Ranger 7 is the same box as the Trimble its just running survey pro instead.?ÿ It is very fast and has a great screen.?ÿ It is a little heavy and large though compared to some of the older smaller units.?ÿ I have a job that must have 30,000 points in it and it opens it in just a couple of seconds.?ÿ An older unit would take a minute that job or longer.?ÿ They are also running Windows 10 and are really a true computer.?ÿ

@eddycreek

Yes there is a function on the instrument control menu to switch autolock on and off.

There is also a joystick function you can use to turn the instrument. It has a search button, so you can roughly point the gun and hit 'find me'.

@david-livingstone

We got lent a TSC-7 to try

We have a number of sinister (left-handed) staff members

They found it hard to use. They could not mount it on the 'wrong' side of the pole

There is probably needs a special bracket (part number trimble$$$) for them

Personally, while I like the screen, the form factor does not work for me. I'd prefer it to be the same size as the TSC-3.

@jimcox

My S5 (actually the TSC7) has a "GPS search" function which is useful. It works best when you are over a hundred feet or so from the instrument.   

@jimcox

The Trimble bracket is reversible but it requires removing 4 screws.  Definitely not as easy to change as a TSC3 but it is doable.  

Lefty

Pricing a T7, not a TSC7. ?ÿIt hangs on the back of the rod like the Yuma tablet. ?ÿNow available with Access ?ÿ

https://www.gpsworld.com/rugged-trimble-t7-tablet-designed-for-survey-and-construction/amp/