Hello, I am started to use a Trimble s5 total station, previous I own a Leica TS02.
My question is about the laser beam, as I noticed when i worked with Leica and shoot reflectorless I show the red beam in the wall from a big distance.
But now when working reflectorless with the Trimble red beam can not be seen it is like to be red shadow in the wall. Did anyone know if this is adjustable from somewhere in order to do it thicker and more visible??ÿ
If is not for sure I will sell it and go to a Leica robotic!?ÿ
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Any thoughts?
Any thoughts?
The spec sheet shows the laser point as Class2 - which means output power below 1 milliwatt
I believe the brightness is not adjustable.
Try cleaning the lens - there is a lot of attenuation from dust.
Or sun-glasses with a ruby lens like Leica sell for their Disto.
Just my nzd$0.02
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Try searching on here, have read other threads on Trimble vs Leica reflectorless, believe the Leica has a tighter beam.
Try searching on here, have read other threads on Trimble vs Leica reflectorless, believe the Leica has a tighter beam.
Trimble's reflectorless measurement does not depend on the visible laser pointer - different functions
But yes, the beam is wider for Trimble (by quite a bit I think)
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@jimcox ??he problem is that is not visible enough it's like a red shadow.?ÿ
The laser on the S5 is garbage. The DR is far inferior to Leica as well.
LOL at the S9 HP DR, spec'd limit is 100 meters range and takes like five minutes to get a shot, that is hot garbage.
The laser on the S5 is garbage. The DR is far inferior to Leica as well.
LOL at the S9 HP DR, spec'd limit is 100 meters range and takes like five minutes to get a shot, that is hot garbage.
The S9 DR HP is for ultra high-precision measurements to prisms rather than long range reflectorless use. The S9 DR Plus is the one to get for long-range reflectorless. I've used both for their intended purposes and the datasheets, which reflect those intended uses, are pretty much right on. Different goals, different tech.
But Trimble definitely loses out to Leica in the reflectorless department. If you're measuring to standard stuff like building faces, signs, poles, etc., Trimble RL tech is just fine. But it's not going to grab single wires on catenaries like some of the Leica instruments.
@rover83?ÿ
I only used an s5 for one day roughly so far (and like 5 reflectorless shots) but it's definitely harder to see as everyone says. I'll compare to the Leica 1203+ when the s5 comes in. I used a newer Sokkia robot for years (and an old Sokkia SRX robot before that) and when I first used the Leica reflectorless I was extremely impressed. Easier to see the dot, plus it always lands where you sight. The Sokkia would he offset slightly one way or the other and I was always unsure if I should go by the sight or the beam. Plus I got better reflectorless checks with the Leica. That definitely seemed to be one of it's strong points.?ÿ
So in conclusion Trimble reflector is simple a garbage DO NOT buy s5! Leica reflector is far superior in sunny environment and general.?ÿ
I do not know if in the better models like s7 or s9 is better.
I wouldn't say it's a garbage robot.. lots of people seem happy with them. They all have their strengths and weaknesses. Active prism and speed are the Trimble's biggest strength, Leica it would be their reflectorless and optics and physical design imo - I still occasionally use the TS by itself and get distances without the tablet.?ÿ
Even the Sokkia ix I had so many issues with had some redeeming qualities, like it's light weight, nice screen and the software - magnet field was good once I got used to it, especially on my tablet.?ÿ
So in conclusion Trimble reflector is simple a garbage DO NOT buy s5! Leica reflector is far superior in sunny environment and general.?ÿ
I do not know if in the better models like s7 or s9 is better.
I think you didn't research the instrument enough to see its strengths and weaknesses, and now you are upset.?ÿ I would be very unhappy if I purchased an expensive instrument to find out it couldn't do what I need it to.?ÿ
I have no problem with my Trimble for what I use it for.?ÿ It is much quicker than the Leica's I have worked with, and the active tracking is awesome.?ÿ The software gives me a lot more features, without having to pay for additional licenses to do everything like with Leica.?ÿ?ÿ
I've used both for years, they are both good brands, just different.?ÿ
Good luck
Like others have said the Trimble robot reflector less is a wider beam. So be careful on angles you are shooting to objects like bldg corners etc. the laser pointer is very hard to see in sunlight compared to the leica. But in the settings where you choose the laser pointer you can adjust the brightness. Its been a while but I think you hold down on the pointer and then it will allow you to adjust the brightness and also the flickering count speed. I was using a s5 today. I simply stood at instrument and shot everything i needed to shoot reflector less buy looking through the scope. Then went on with the rest of my topo. With rod and multi tractor. With the leica you can see the beam so well you can align it from the beam. ?ÿBut both have strength and weaknesses. ?ÿJust one thing i have learned is don??t compare different data collectors or instruments it will drive you bonkers. I just try and maximize the equipment to push it to its limits. ?ÿFind out what tricks can speed you up make the data better easier and role with it. I have used every brand under the sun. Some make me cuss more than others. Lol. The manufacturers have some very smart people and if you can figure out some of there thought process and adjust your process to maximize with whatever you are using you will be way ahead of most. I still see people with great equipment still managing process like it was 1980 . Nothing wrong just not as productive. I mean even the data collectors these days can store pictures on a point. But i see people breaking out there phones. If i were trying to see what??s going on and i had a picture assigned to my point sitting in my cushy chair that??s priceless. Instead of navigating through a bunch of pictures trying to figure out which one i need to see what??s going on. ?ÿIf your running Trimble access you can adjust the brightness. Make sure to run the calibration routine to align the pointer to the cross hairs etc. ?ÿ?ÿ
Understand all the above opinions but if your most shots are reflectors that's a big drawback!
Any ideas if the red glasses work to be more visible than the red dot?
Here is an example in left is the beam of s5 and right the Leica as you see Trimble has 1/3 of light comparing with the Leica. In 25 meters you see clear Leica laser s5 dot is not visible!
Charlie Glover tested and wrote a detailed analysis of Leica's TCR laser and infrared beams.?ÿ If I find it and ok with Doug (Charlie was working with him at the time), I will post same.
In 25 meters you see clear Leica laser s5 dot is not visible!
So...go with the Leica then. It's not a problem for most practitioners, but if it's that critical for you, then by all means just pick the instrument that suits your needs the best.
When I was doing full-time field work, I might have used the laser a dozen times in a year, no matter what equipment I was running. I'm still far more likely to use the station's internal camera for reflectorless work; most objects which require a reflectorless observation aren't close enough for me to see a laser dot, no matter how bright, and the camera is faster.
There are pros and cons to every set of gear/software out there. I don't know how to build a total station, and my coding skills are nowhere near enough to create field software, so I'm going to figure out the most efficient way to work with the equipment available to me. If that means modifying a workflow that worked with a different instrument, so be it.
But Trimble definitely loses out to Leica in the reflectorless department. If you're measuring to standard stuff like building faces, signs, poles, etc., Trimble RL tech is just fine. But it's not going to grab single wires on catenaries like some of the Leica instruments.
This is a point of philosophy. Trimble deliberately went with a broad beam. So that folks would not complain about calibration.
Leica went with the narrow beam. This is the "way to go" for reflectorless work.
I even consider that quite possibly the Trimble system is preferable, WHEN RUNNING A PRISM at the pole. But, I did testing, and for MY NEEDS, the narrow beam was FAR superior for my style. I've run many a mile, tall stakes, reflectorless, pinch of DOT tape, 8d finish nail.
It may just depend on your needs.
Btw, my testing was maybe 15 yrs ago.
Things may change over time.
N
It??s true that the Leica reflectorless is better but I still would have to walk over and check a lot of times because it??s hard to see if you??re hitting the corner or not from a distance (I take a ton of reflector less shots in new construction as builts. Sometimes I use sharpie marks so I can see it through the scope. The Leica beam always lands exactly where I sighted in but I haven??t had to use reflectorless yet on the new s5. Should I be trusting the beam or the sight if they don??t match exactly?
It??s true that the Leica reflectorless is better but I still would have to walk over and check a lot of times because it??s hard to see if you??re hitting the corner or not from a distance (I take a ton of reflector less shots in new construction as builts. Sometimes I use sharpie marks so I can see it through the scope. The Leica beam always lands exactly where I sighted in but I haven??t had to use reflectorless yet on the new s5. Should I be trusting the beam or the sight if they don??t match exactly?
You could still get accurate distance measurements in reflectorless mode if the laser is slightly misaligned with the telescope axis by taking direct and reverse readings of the same point. Let's assume that in Face 1 the laser hits a bit above and to the left of your target. In Face 2 it will hit below and to the right. Considering the target surface flat, the average of the 2 readings will give you the distance to the center of your target even if you are sighting it at an angle different than 90 degrees. I had great success using this method to distant reflective stickers at angles close to 45 degrees using our Zoom 90. For accurate distant reflectorless shots make sure you set correctly your temperature and barometric pressure, and maybe take a few 2 face readings and average them.