Anyone have any issues of this tracking in heat waves/sun? Seems like it was having a hard time today in the sun. I'm kinda new with it, so just curious of why it may be losing its tracking ability off/on. I just assumed since it searches on l.e.d., that it had problems due to that. Any comments or ideas would be helpful.
How far away were you? Outside of distance I am not sure. I never really had too many tracking issues with the 5600.
You could try using the backsight prism (plug the power cable into the other port on the radio and put in LR mode) That should drastically improve your tracking ability.
I was near ±450'
What's LR mode?
What were you using for a target? The 360° prism and battery rod will not work well past 350'
The only time I have had tracking issues (with Trimble 5603).
1. exceed the intended limits of the equipment
2. had a low battery in the target rod
3. the target was located online between the instrument and a large tin roof (with the sun reflecting off it). The tin roof could be up to a mile away and still mess with the tracking.
4. extreme heat waves from looking along a pavement surface.
JRL
You probably have the 2.4 GHz radios? They would not have a long range option due to the high frequency. Please someone correct me if I'm wrong. JRL
My old 5603 would max out around 1500' with the 360 prism and 464 radios. My new Focus 10 made it to 1900' last week to the same prism and 2.4 radios.
When heat waves start to screw with you, so only solution is a higher rod height.
Yeah, had the rod battery/2.4 ghz radio...with 360 prism.
I know this is probably relative to the age of your battery, but how long does that rod battery work for?
I was in a desert environment, with the sun in the SE direction in the morning. I was in that direction from the Gun, so that just seemed to make sense to me. As I moved more NE, the tracking seemed fine.
"The 360° prism and battery rod will not work well past 350'"
What???
They normally go much further than that...like 1000' at least....
I routinely get 1200 ft with the 360° prism, double that with the RMT SLR.
That is just what our 5600 typically does. It will go farther for sure, but it works really good within that range for construction staking. The prob. above is probably related to an old rod battery. I guess I have not felt comfortable working out 1000' away with that topo setup. I assume there is a better target for that long range stuff?
Here's the target I have for long range:
Power for the target is via cable from a "brick" battery. I use it for long range and horizontal/vertical control.
Granted, the cable/battery is a hassle, but the added benefit of range and accuracy is well worth it.
Yes that is what I remember. The 360 prism was intended for topographic surveys, which I never measured from
1000' to 1400' feet away. The prism will shoot long distances, but for some reason I don't remember the tracker working reliably at that range.