We have a Geomax Zoom 80 with a allegro mx data collector with carlson survce software. we are having a problem with it recording bad data. it was recording the correct horizontal angle but using the vertical angle and slope distance from the previous shot. our local dealer updated us to the latest version of survce and now it still records the correct horizontal angle but the vertical angle and slope distance are very similar to the previous shot but not always exactly the same. this is a completely random problem that may or may not happen on a job. when it does it i might only do it for one shot or it might do it for a dozen shots. now one can tell me what the problem it so far. has anyone else had this problem?
I used to have a similar problem with the Sokkia SDR33. To solve our problem, I had to store the observation before taking the next shot. I couldn't turn & shoot, and let the act of taking the next shot store the observation.
I dont have any remedies for your problem but would like to know how the Geomax has been performing for you? Is this the only problem that you have encountered thus far?
There is a setting in GeoMax and Leica Total Stations under, config, general settings, units & formats, angle tab, for the vertical angle with two options: running; or hold after distance. I always set it to "running" and have never seen this problem. Check that and let me know if you still have problems.
Thank you. I just checked and it was set to hold. I changed it to running now I just need to go do a job and I will let you know.
Thank You.
I had this problem in the past with a manual Leica and a TDS 48 collector. I think this setting was what was wrong back then.
You're welcome. Hope that fixes it.
SWAG as far as Geomax goes I like the instrument it works well. it has a few little problems here and there but not to bad. it likes to lock onto windows and taillights, the electronic level bubble is a little slow at times and it wont find you if you go up or down hill to much so you have to walk back and point it at the rod. All of the other problems we have had are data collector related as far as we can tell. A lot of times it wont lock on even if it is looking directly at you, you just need to back out to the main menu and go back it. It will re-initialize the instrument then you tell it to find you again and it will tell you it is already looking at you. over all it is a lot better than the old Topcon we had and I've talked to other surveyors that have the Leica similar to the Geomax and they also as the same little problems. I've also talked to people with a brand new Leica that are having no problems so they may have got all the bugs worked out at this point. Ours was new in December of 2012.
I'm really interested ro read this, as I've been trying out a robotic Zoom80 recently.
We've had very similar problems with the lock, sometimes it works fine, other times it just won't give you lock, even though it's pointing at the centre of the prism!
It seems to regain lock better just in Aim360 search mode or no search at all, certainly if you are working two-man and the assistant can just point it in your direction. In the time we've been using it, the power search function (scout360) just doesn't seem to be reliable.
I'm assuming that the firmware is first generation Leica 1200 and that these glitches were sorted out on later Leica instruments?
Has anyone had any specific build quality or other performance issues with the GeoMax instruments?
I ran robotics daily in the field for about six years, and now occasionally for the past few. Leica 1100 for about six months, then 1200 for about two years. The remainder of that time was with a Trimble S6 (at a different firm).
A few tricks I've learned over the years:
-Leave the track light on all the time. Once you have trained yourself to glance back at the robot before storing a shot this gives you instant feedback that the instrument is locked on to you. Also, once you get good with robotics, you'll almost never have to walk back to the instrument to point it at you. I thought the new release of SurvCE had a search function that used the DC's internal GPS? If so, learn it and use it, saved a lot of time when Trimble implemented this.
-Program your shortcut keys (or a shortcut menu) to be (1) Autolock on/off, and (2) search. If you are on a busy construction site (reflective vests), or near a busy road, it can save a lot of time to be able to kick off tracking real quick. Just keep the prism where it was when you turned it off and when you are ready to re-enable it you are ready to work again. Sounds like it would also be a quick fix to your problem with it not locking, even though in track mode.
-Another trick is to just quickly cover the prism with your hand. If it loses lock it's on you, if it doesn't it isn't. With the Leicas, though, if I remember correctly you could usually see daylight back through the scope when they are aimed true.
As good as SurvCE is you'll never have quite as seamless an experience as you could have had if you had went with a Geomax DC (I think, never used a Geomax DC - it just seems to be universally true). This is true x10 if you are running a Trimble robot.
Edit: The 1200 series Leica was also prone to locking on to taillights, stop signs, reflective vests, etc. The Trimble robots do this, too, if you're not using an active track prism. My first day with a Leica 1100 robot I stored 20 shots to a piece of quartz in a mortar joint, just glad caught it and didn't cause a return trip. I wouldn't have caught it, though, if not for the advice of another chief that had ran one for a while. He said when you're in "head-down collection mode" to glance at the HA and VA at the bottom of the screen to make sure that they are changing as you move.
If you are trying to use robotics with a lot of vertical angle, you pretty much have to switch to a standard tilting prism. Not that big a deal though, because when you have a lot of vertical angle you usually aren't moving fast enough to require a 360 anyway.
