I'm looking to purchase a used data collector for my Trimble 5800, to be used as a network rover for the time being, later with a base unit.
Ton's of them on Ebay, TSC2, TDS Ranger, etc. I am used to TDS and would probably like to be able to use it with a Topcon total station as a backup.
Any ideas, suggestions are greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance and have a pleasant tomorrow....:-/
> I'm looking to purchase a used data collector for my Trimble 5800, to be used as a network rover for the time being, later with a base unit.
> Ton's of them on Ebay, TSC2, TDS Ranger, etc. I am used to TDS and would probably like to be able to use it with a Topcon total station as a backup.
>
> Any ideas, suggestions are greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance and have a pleasant tomorrow....:-/
I'd suggest a brand spankin' new Ranger 3, since it runs Survey Pro. It should work with both the 5800 and the Topcon. If not, find a used Ranger 2 running the last version of Survey Pro that it supported.
If I were in your shoes, I'd be looking at upgrading my equipment. Lots of good deals out there on newer, used equipment.
Whichever, I'd check with the service department of your choice to make sure repair parts are still available for your proposed purchase. Also that the dc can accept the software version you will need to run the 5800 and its particular vintage of firmware.
I would look at a used TSC2 or the Ranger 500Xor Ranger 300X series. The old TSCE or Ranger 200 series are just about non repairable. The parts are hard to come by. I had one sustain water damage last year, and had to replace it.
I replaced it with a used TDS Ranger 300X, and I like it. I also have a TDS Ranger 500X. They are good data collectors. I like the full keyboards myself.
Thanks all....I am also wanting bluetooth and wifi...the TDS Ranger is looking good..the TSC2 with survey controller with only work with Trimble equipment (I believe).
Upgrading equipment is probably not going to happen for awhile. I have 3 promark 2's that I use. The 5800 was an upgrade. I'm just solo and don't have the budget for upgrading right now.
I am looking to get rid of some TSC 2's I have if anyone is looking to purchase one or two...
You can set up survey controller to run a Topcon total station. Nothing robotic.
I sent you an email.
With the yellow and black colored Ranger 300X & 500X units, at first there were about five or six different models, total.
At first in the 300X series, they were available without Bluetooth or WiFi, or with Bluetooth only, or with both. And perhaps it seems there was a model that was WiFi only...
In the 500X series, they could be bought with Bluetooth only, or with both Bluetooth & WiFi.
The point is, be careful what you buy in a used Ranger X series. If it is an older unit, it could actually have the old firmware on it. That is a chargeable upgrade and I would simply steer clear of that unit. The issue with the old firmware is that the USB host port is not functional, though it is there.
If you elect to go with a Ranger 500X, and you want to use it as a controller for that unit, you'll want to get one that is WiFi enabled. Not all were. Without WiFi, your choices are limited to a Bluetooth phone and those that will allow tethering are pretty limited these days.
You cannot tell anything about what unit is what by the serial number. For the first several years of production of those units, all serial numbers for all models of the X series sold under the TDS label began with SS.....
Caveat emptor...