So yesterday I broke the loop that holds the strap on one of my old GEB70 batteries. I have decided that it is probably time to buy a new one as the one I broke is 25 years old and has been recelled several times. I haven't found the GEB70 available any longer, did they replace it with the GEB171 battery? I thought that the last time I checked they were around $250 but now I see that you have to pay $375 for a new one. I know there are some "China Connection" batteries available but I think I will stick with the Leica brand.
So is the GEB171 a direct replacement for the GEB70 and will it run my Leica Robot, does anyone know?
Thanks - T.W.
tom, what is the main battery for that? geb68? i got a connect that can recell them very cheap. or do you run straight off the 70?
Eddie:
Recelling isn't a problem but the battery case is 25 years plus old and the plastic is apparently getting brittle, time for some new stuff. I have several newer GEB70 batteries but you have to replace equipment occasionally. I buy new legs, prism poles, prism holders, and batteries when I think the old ones have served their purpose and are wearing out. I especially like it when I get a new set of legs.
Thanks - T.W.
i have a theodolite that could use a geb70, if you ever wanted to let go of one, please look me up
Tom,
Yes... the GEB171 is the replacement for the GEB70. All of you old cables should work with the GEB171. The only issue may be the charger. The newest single charger for the GEB171 is the
GKL 32, Battery Charger - Art. No.Order No: 785703 -Charges one battery with 5-pin charging socket. Including GEB171.
This is the ONLY single battery charger for the GEB171. If a dealer tells you different then tell him he needs to check with Leica Tech Support.
The other charger that can charger the GEB171 and other Leica batteries at the same time is the...GKL 221, Charging Station Art. 733271. This is more expensive and you will also need to buy plates for this charger for the other Leica batteries. There is a unique charging plate (adapter) for the older GEB121 and GEB111 batteries. There is a unique plate for the new GEB212 and GEb221 batteries. This charger setup is more expensive but if you have multiple Leica Batteries... this is the way to go.
Wow, lots I don't know. Actually I have two Lecia GLK23-1 chargers which were the top of the line years ago and will fit the 5 pin cable used by the GEB70 and the GEB171 but I don't know if it will charge it or not. I haden't planned on buying a new charger too, it really adds to the expense.
Thanks Mark I appreciate the obviously expert advise, I didn't expect to find such changes in the power supplies of my Leica gear.
T.W.
Tom,
I was not thinking about past models that are now discontinued. The old Leica GLK23-1 will charge the GEB171 battery. If these are still working then I would just use the GLK23-1 chargers. They look funny but they work. My apologies... as I said... I just deal with the current product basket when I think about new gear.
Tom,
I think the GEB171 replaces the GEB70 and the GEB71, both of those used ni-cad batteries in the case. I have seen the GEB171 it is probably a little better than half the size of the GEB71, that makes it a bit larger than the GEB70. I just weighed a GEB70 (2 pounds) and the data plate says 2 AMP Hour. The GEB71 weighs in at 7 pounds and gives 7 AMP Hour. The data given with the GEB171 is 4.4 pounds and gives 9 AMP Hours. So it weighs in a little over twice the GEB70 but 4.5 times the power. The GEB171 uses NIMH batteries. They will not give the service life of a NICAD but the weight and power will more than make up the difference. I have one GEB70 that replaced the NICAD batteries with NIMH batteries. It will give almost a complete day of Robotic operation on a TCRA1103 that was upgraded to the hot laser and the robotic tracking was upgraded. I carry a couple of GEB71 an a couple of GEB70 as back up, but seldom have use for the back up batteries. The GLK 23-1 charger is used to charge all the batteries I have that have the five pin plugs. I use the GEB71 batteries and the GEB70 batteries to power Leica 300 GPS systems. A GEB71 along with GEB70 will usually give about eight hours of data collection. It will be about the same weight as two of the GEB70 in the field. Probably save a trip to the truck to get a spare battery though.
It boils down to adding a little weight and get 4.5 times the power of the GEB70 and it is a bit larger. Or continue with the GEB70. I'm quite sure the five pin GLK23-1 will charge the GEB171. The GLK122-1 charger has 5 pin adapters for the GEB batteries. It only charges one at a time and swaps over to the second battery when the first one is charged, the same as the GLK 23-1.
A lot of talk with a little said.
Jerry M. Davis
Thanks to all, I have ordered a new GEB171 battery OUCH!, I could have gotten a new laptop for the same price but you have to have the gear to do the job. I'll stick with my old Lecia GLK23-1 chargers they are really pretty heavy duty and have served me well.
T.W.
