USSurveySupply_8668778783, post: 448264, member: 10942 wrote: Lots of stuff to correct here. For reference, we are an authorized dealer for Geomax and Carlson and have sold many of these instruments. We have customers around the country running Zoom80s and Zoom90s with very little in the way of problems.
First, the OP is correct in stating that the Carlson CR+ is a rebranded Geomax Zoom90. That just means Geomax builds the equipment and puts a Carlson logo on it for Carlson to distribute through their sales network. There is no difference aside from the sticker. They use the same firmware, same parts, same service centers.
Second, we have not seen any service issues or heard of any from any one else. At this point the Geomax service network is small in comparison to Leica, but we do not experience any abnormal delays. These instruments are only serviced by technicians who have the applicable Geomax certification, and as Geomax still has a smaller market share there is less demand for service.
Third, support is provided by your dealer not by the corporate entity. As most posters on here well know, the support you receive from your dealer is one of the most important considerations when choosing an instrument. Carlson and Geomax do not maintain rental/loaner fleets for the general public - there may be case by case exemptions to this, but that is the service the dealer provides. In our opinion a good dealer should have the integrity and customer support to keep their customers working in case a problem arises (ie. provide overnight loaners, advanced support, etc.).
Lastly, these robots are not made in China and never have been. As Arturs and others posted above, they are made in Singapore in a Hexagon factory run by Hexagon engineers (read, Swiss). Geomax produces other lower end equipment in China, in other Hexagon factories.
Thank you for this clarification.
amdomag, post: 448258, member: 1683 wrote: I am not very familiar with GeoMax products but I would presume that your Zoom 90 is a full robotic setup. As such, you must be managing two data collection system - on board and with your data collector. If it is your case, how do you manage project storage? Is it residing in the total station, in your data collector, or in both devices? Is data collection system (I would presume SurvCE in your case) with your data collector operates as a mirror device of your total station? Are the two devices synchronized in real time? As we all know, in Leica 1200 series, SmartWorx operates synchronously in data collector and in total station.
Thank you.
In most cases we sell a Zoom90 without any licensed software on board because our customers just don't use it and it isn't worth the extra cost to them. We include a demo copy of SurvCE so they can still check angles and distances and store a few points if need be, but it is just easier and more convenient to run it all on the DC, whether you are standing at the pole or behind the gun.
Hope this helps.
USSurveySupply_8668778783, post: 448280, member: 10942 wrote: In most cases we sell a Zoom90 without any licensed software on board because our customers just don't use it and it isn't worth the extra cost to them. We include a demo copy of SurvCE so they can still check angles and distances and store a few points if need be, but it is just easier and more convenient to run it all on the DC, whether you are standing at the pole or behind the gun.
Hope this helps.
In many situations like in topographic or detail survey work, you need to be behind the gun to accomplish a given task much easier and much faster. In my opinion, it would be inefficient or even uncomfortable using an external data collector while behind the gun. If you can operate the gun directly or remotely while maintaining only one project file is great feature like in Leica 1200 before.
USSurveySupply_8668778783, post: 448280, member: 10942 wrote: In most cases we sell a Zoom90 without any licensed software on board because our customers just don't use it and it isn't worth the extra cost to them. We include a demo copy of SurvCE so they can still check angles and distances and store a few points if need be, but it is just easier and more convenient to run it all on the DC, whether you are standing at the pole or behind the gun.
Hope this helps.
How much is the GeoMax Zoom90 in the US if you don't mind? Thank you.
I have a Geomax Zoom 90 with a Carlson Surveyor 2 data collector. I have had only one problem with it about 2 months after I got it, but EGPS gave me a loaner, and mine was fixed in a very reasonable amount of time. After that, no problems.
The reflectorless feature is outstanding. I can shoot reflectorless to a LOT more stuff than I thought it would. It tracks very well, and when I lose track, it finds me pretty quickly. It probably isn't the fastest robot out there, but it works very well for what I use it for. All in all, I'm very pleased with my purchase, and would recommend it highly.
One last thing: The service and support from EGPS has been outstanding. Stan, Pat, and Lonnie stay on top of things, and they have been a pleasure to work with.
Dale Yawn
Savannah, Ga.
amdomag, post: 448283, member: 1683 wrote: In many situations like in topographic or detail survey work, you need to be behind the gun to accomplish a given task much easier and much faster. In my opinion, it would be inefficient or even uncomfortable using an external data collector while behind the gun. If you can operate the gun directly or remotely while maintaining only one project file is great feature like in Leica 1200 before.
You get used to operating the data logger and adjusting the instrument. Helps if the transit screws are all on one sude though.
Using a DC has at least one advantage: you don't have to walk around the instrument to take Face 2 shots. (My Zoom80 only had 1 keyboard.)
amdomag, post: 448285, member: 1683 wrote: How much is the GeoMax Zoom90 in the US if you don't mind? Thank you.
5" 1000m reflectorless Zoom90 is $21,745.
2" 1000m reflectorless version is $23,845.
1" 1000m reflectorless version is $26,195.
Prices include 360 prism, long-range Bluetooth handle, and all other basic accessories (battery/charger/tribrach/case/etc).
I'll be honest, Maxine (that's what I call her) came with on-board software but I haven't used it yet. Not sure why I would use it when I have the whole thing on my range pole. Also, you'd have to be at the instrument to do anything and that defeats the purpose of a robot. I've been using the horiz. and vert. motions to take reflectorless shots which is outstanding because I've never had a reflectorless unit. You still have to push the shot button on the DC but the Surveyor2 comes with a built-in hanger thing: just pop it off the pole and hang it on the tripod for a few shots. I just did my first site plan with it yesterday and the thing works great. I'm even having it draw lines for me as I go. I think with a little more effort, I'll finally be able to use the "field-to-finish" feature. It wasn't hard to get that started.
One thing I was able to do with ease was take a shot on the top of a 187.69' communications tower without having to climb over the barbed wire fence and up the tower with my reflector.
I do have a problem with it "tracking" all the time. Unless it's a stake-out, I only want it to follow me but I can't figure out how to turn off the "track that guy all the time and use up my battery" function.
mattharnett, post: 448477, member: 6458 wrote: I'll be honest, Maxine (that's what I call her) came with on-board software but I haven't used it yet. Not sure why I would use it when I have the whole thing on my range pole. Also, you'd have to be at the instrument to do anything and that defeats the purpose of a robot. I've been using the horiz. and vert. motions to take reflectorless shots which is outstanding because I've never had a reflectorless unit. You still have to push the shot button on the DC but the Surveyor2 comes with a built-in hanger thing: just pop it off the pole and hang it on the tripod for a few shots. I just did my first site plan with it yesterday and the thing works great. I'm even having it draw lines for me as I go. I think with a little more effort, I'll finally be able to use the "field-to-finish" feature. It wasn't hard to get that started.
One thing I was able to do with ease was take a shot on the top of a 187.69' communications tower without having to climb over the barbed wire fence and up the tower with my reflector.
I do have a problem with it "tracking" all the time. Unless it's a stake-out, I only want it to follow me but I can't figure out how to turn off the "track that guy all the time and use up my battery" function.
As you are beginning to see, the field to finish in Carlson is incredible. One of the best productivity options you can use. You won't be disappointed.
If I'm understanding you correctly, you want to take a shot and then have the gun stay put until you hit the search icon? There are a few places to turn off tracking, but the easiest is right on the main "Store PTS" screen: just hit the "C" button for the configuration menu and below the scroll box in the "General" tab you will see "After Reading - RTS." Change the selection to "Standby."
USSurveySupply_8668778783, post: 448483, member: 10942 wrote: As you are beginning to see, the field to finish in Carlson is incredible. One of the best productivity options you can use. You won't be disappointed.
If I'm understanding you correctly, you want to take a shot and then have the gun stay put until you hit the search icon? There are a few places to turn off tracking, but the easiest is right on the main "Store PTS" screen: just hit the "C" button for the configuration menu and below the scroll box in the "General" tab you will see "After Reading - RTS." Change the selection to "Standby."
I think he wants it to stay locked but only measure a distance when the button is pushed.
mattharnett, post: 448477, member: 6458 wrote: I can't figure out how to turn off the "track that guy all the time and use up my battery" function.
On my Surveyor+ there's a tracking icon that I tap to toggle tracking on and off. The only time I use tracking is when staking out, the rest of the time I leave it off.
squowse, post: 448509, member: 7109 wrote: I think he wants it to stay locked but only measure a distance when the button is pushed.
If so, that is even quicker. Just hit the button of the surveyor with pole (top right) so there is a red line through it. This leaves the tracking on but turns the EDM off so it isn't continuously measuring.
USSurveySupply_8668778783, post: 448380, member: 10942 wrote: 5" 1000m reflectorless Zoom90 is $21,745.
2" 1000m reflectorless version is $23,845.
1" 1000m reflectorless version is $26,195.
Prices include 360 prism, long-range Bluetooth handle, and all other basic accessories (battery/charger/tribrach/case/etc).
Thank you.
amdomag, post: 448258, member: 1683 wrote: I am not very familiar with GeoMax products but I would presume that your Zoom 90 is a full robotic setup. As such, you must be managing two data collection system - on board and with your data collector. If it is your case, how do you manage project storage? Is it residing in the total station, in your data collector, or in both devices? Is data collection system (I would presume SurvCE in your case) with your data collector operates as a mirror device of your total station? Are the two devices synchronized in real time? As we all know, in Leica 1200 series, SmartWorx operates synchronously in data collector and in total station.
Thank you.
There is SurvCE on the instrument, but I don't use it. There is no data to store on the gun. All project data is stored in the data collector. The gun just works as part of the measuring apparatus. It turns the angles and reads the distances. The coordinate and raw data are all stored on the collector. There is an SD card in the instrument, but that only stores the instrument calibration data. When you run the check and adjust routine those corrective parameters are stored on the card and applied to the measurements.
Chris Bouffard, post: 447865, member: 12313 wrote: I've had my crews running Leica TS (I believe 12) guns we bought new and using Leica Captivate DCs. I'm not a fan of robotics for safety and security measures as I work mainly in an exploding urban area where traffic laws are considered disregarded suggestions. I don't really like using the Infinity processing software and am now looking at other options for the two new crews I plan on adding in the nest year and phasing out the proprietary features of Leica.
Isn't the TS12 a robot?
USSurveySupply_8668778783, post: 448483, member: 10942 wrote: you will see "After Reading - RTS." Change the selection to "Standby."
I found it. Now she's waiting patiently.
Is Leica TS15 same as the GeoMax Zoom90?
amdomag, post: 448665, member: 1683 wrote: Is Leica TS15 same as the GeoMax Zoom90?
No, the TS15 is a Leica and the Zoom90 is a Geomax. 😉
You can always compare the specs of the two and determine for yourself.
USSurveySupply_8668778783, post: 448672, member: 10942 wrote: No, the TS15 is a Leica and the Zoom90 is a Geomax. 😉
You can always compare the specs of the two and determine for yourself.
Let me put it this way. 😉
Is the Zoom90 a TS15 in open architecture? If both products contain basically same hardware components then that would be the case I guess? This is exactly what I am telling the Leica people in Switzerland five years ago that Leica is too proprietary even to the point of loosing power and flexibility. If total station performs exactly same irrespective of being Zoom90 or TS15 then I would definitely go for the Zoom90 as I can choose data collection system to my preference.
