data collectors for Topcon GTS-303

The only way to communicate with a Topcon instrument of that vintage is via a serial cable. The communication parameters on the instrument are unalterable. While that may not be ideal, Topcon has used the same settings for 25-30 years.

The baud rate is 1,200, the parity is even and the bit setting is 7 and if there is an option to set stop bits, it is 1, though most of the data collector units I have looked do not bother with the last parameter.

Most data collectors with a 9-pin serial port will work with the instrument. The cables should be readily available.

An HP 48 With SMI Or TDS

That has been working for a zillion years.

I've used my SMI on anything from a 3B to a 3000.

Paul in PA

Jerry,

Thanks for your reply! Useful information that should clear my way.

An HP 48 With SMI Or TDS

Thanks Paul!

Another possibility. But I reckon it should be difficult to get a HP 48 with SMI or TDS nowadays?

I know you can use a Carlson 600+ with them.

I use a FC-2500 running topsurv 8 and it works just fine with the 303

Thanks guys!

I'm going to decide on one of those.

You can pick them up on Ebay even at this date. I got mine to work with my Topcon OS thanks to this thread. Thanks

@jerrys

I'm not so sure about that. Couldn't you buy one of those Parani Bluetooth adaptors and attach it to the RS232 port on the instrument and make it a Bluetooth capable instrument which could communicate with a more modern Bluetooth data collector? 

Posted by: @pmac

Hi all,

I'm about to get a GTS-303 with a Psion data collector (which I think it is a Organizer II - I don't know more details about it).
I'm used to total stations with internal memory (Nikon DTM-310 and 330) so I know little about data exchange between Topcon models such as the GTS-303 and external devices. I've been searching the internet and it seems that the connectivity of Psions from the 80s/90s through Psiwin with recent 64-bits OSs is a hassle - I have Windows 7 64 bits.

My question is: are there more recent data collectors with serial RS-232 connectivity compatible with the 303? Such as the Topcon FC-100 or FC-2000 with Topsurv software? Or any others like the more recent Psion models running the Windows Mobile OS which theoretically should be capable to run the Topsurv Windows Mobile version?

Thanks in advance,
Pedro

You can use a spectra precision collector. They have serial ports and you can connect it to the topcon.

@just-a-surveyor

Yes.  The cable you would otherwise connect to the DC is connected to the Parani.  Still need the cable.  The Parani completes the serial connection.  I am configuring one today to send out with an older used Topcon robot.