I want your learned opinions on Geo-Max

I've been using a 2-second GeoMax Zoom80 (basically a rebranded TCRP1202) for almost 2 years, and it's been solid. I bought it to replace a TCRA1102plus that started showing its age, and I've not been disappointed. There aren't many places to get GeoMax guns serviced, but I don't have any Leica shops nearby either, so I have to ship my instruments regardless of whether they're green or yellow.

Jim Frame, post: 447827, member: 10 wrote: I've been using a 2-second GeoMax Zoom80 (basically a rebranded TCRP1202) for almost 2 years, and it's been solid. I bought it to replace a TCRA1102plus that started showing its age, and I've not been disappointed. There aren't many places to get GeoMax guns serviced, but I don't have any Leica shops nearby either, so I have to ship my instruments regardless of whether they're green or yellow.

Jim, You just commented that there aren't many places to get your Geo-Max gun serviced and that made me raise an eyebrow. Is this simply because that it is essentially a Leica or is there some other issue, aside from not having a repair shop nearby?

I mean is it serviceable or did they make it not so?

Just A. Surveyor, post: 447833, member: 12855 wrote: I mean is it serviceable or did they make it not so?

My understanding is that Leica shops won't service them, and the GeoMax service network isn't very dense. I've not had mine in for service, so I can't comment from direct experience, but I'm under the impression that the getting service from an authorized shop isn't a problem.

Jim Frame, post: 447835, member: 10 wrote: My understanding is that Leica shops won't service them, and the GeoMax service network isn't very dense. I've not had mine in for service, so I can't comment from direct experience, but I'm under the impression that the getting service from an authorized shop isn't a problem.

Oooohh.......that's not encouraging.

Could the geo max be serviced at a Carlson shop as I beleive it is the same as the Carlson CR series

mvanhank222, post: 447861, member: 8673 wrote: Could the geo max be serviced at a Carlson shop as I beleive it is the same as the Carlson CR series

You have it backwards, the Carlson is actually a Geo-Max with Carlson packaging.

I just spoke with Allen Precision and they said that they do service them.

Just A. Surveyor, post: 447862, member: 12855 wrote: You have it backwards, the Carlson is actually a Geo-Max with Carlson packaging.

I just spoke with Allen Precision and they said that they do service them.

I donƒ??t use either I was just under the impression they were essentially the same hardware

Jim Frame, post: 447827, member: 10 wrote: I've been using a 2-second GeoMax Zoom80 (basically a rebranded TCRP1202) for almost 2 years, and it's been solid. I bought it to replace a TCRA1102plus that started showing its age, and I've not been disappointed. There aren't many places to get GeoMax guns serviced, but I don't have any Leica shops nearby either, so I have to ship my instruments regardless of whether they're green or yellow.

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.

GeoMax is quite appealing to me as it provides ability to install third party apps into the total station. Leica is too proprietary and it somehow restricts capability in my opinion. I don't know if GeoMax as a made in China gun is at par with its cousin Leica in terms of durability, reliability, and precision.

Another question is support service. As GeoMax a newcomer, I would think that it would take sometime before its support service is truly functional and reliable.

amdomag, post: 448182, member: 1683 wrote: I don't know if GeoMax as a made in China gun is at par with its cousin Leica in terms of durability, reliability, and precision.

Aside from color and part numbers, I can't tell any difference in build quality or performance between Leica and GeoMax. Are you sure they don't come out of the same factory?

Jim Frame, post: 448187, member: 10 wrote: Aside from color and part numbers, I can't tell any difference in build quality or performance between Leica and GeoMax. Are you sure they don't come out of the same factory?

I learned it from a reliable source at the time it was announced that GeoMax is made in China. I don't know if it is the case today.

Geomax Zoom90 robot is made in Singapore. Most of the other stuff is made in China, BUT they are still Hexagon factories, not Chinese ones. I think there's not a single instrument today that's being made entirely in Switzerland, Sweden or USA, many of the components come from various places around the globe, so in this aspect the manufacturing place can be looked at more as an assembly place.

Arturs, post: 448194, member: 11365 wrote: Geomax Zoom90 robot is made in Singapore. Most of the other stuff is made in China, BUT they are still Hexagon factories, not Chinese ones. I think there's not a single instrument today that's being made entirely in Switzerland, Sweden or USA, many of the components come from various places around the globe, so in this aspect the manufacturing place can be looked at more as an assembly place.

I was told by a man who sells these instruments that the past are Swiss made and assembled in China. It has always struck me as very suspicious or maybe odd that parts can be sent to a country on the other side of the world for assembly and shipped back for less that it would cost in their home country.

The same thing happens everywhere yet I can't help but be worried or concerned that the gun will die a week after the warranty expires and I will be sh!t out of luck.

I have been running a Zoom 90 with Carlson Surveyor 2 for over a year. I love it. I purchased from Allen Precision. I have not had to send this instrument into them, but I have sent them other stuff. They've overnighted loaners or whatever I needed and I have always been satisfied with them. I don't worry about service....

Love my Carlson CR2+. Built in Singapore. Minor service done by Carlson in KY. Major service transferred from Carlson to Construction Safety Products in AR. This is per my Carlson rep as Iƒ??ve yet to need any service of any sort. He also said they maintain a fleet of demo and loaner units for such occasions.

Dan Patterson, post: 448249, member: 1179 wrote: I have been running a Zoom 90 with Carlson Surveyor 2 for over a year. I love it. I purchased from Allen Precision. I have not had to send this instrument into them, but I have sent them other stuff. They've overnighted loaners or whatever I needed and I have always been satisfied with them. I don't worry about service....

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.

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.

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.

The 1200+ instruments do not operate "synchronously" with the data collector. Only the original 1200 series. Don't see as many of them as the 1200+ series. I believe the zoom 80 will be tge same as the 1200+

Just bought a GeoMAX Zoom90 and I like it. I don't have much experience with it yet but I've been able to survey 5 properties with it by myself.