Leica - I've come full circle

I have loved all of my Leica robots and I think the new GS14 and CS15 are great pieces of equipment.
I hope they continue their current trend of playing nicely with peripheral equipment.

I agree about students - just look at autodesk to see that working.

> One issue is that once you get one piece of Leica equipment, you end up having to switch a lot of things for compatibility....

The Swiss Miss is a jealous mistress my friend; but once you learn the correct way to push her buttons, she'll treat you like a king.

The hardware is a big step ahead in my opinion, it works. Right. Every time. Their marketing tagline is actually true for their stuff.

I haven't used their software for almost 10 years. It was lacking when I did use it, but I got proficient with it. I actually have yet to find another DC/Stakeout software that enabled surveying as FAST as their proprietary/on-board software allowed.

I for one agree with Leica's approach of almost required Leica peripherals, like Apple they want to be able to control the entire experience. They don't want someone buying a TS02 and using a CST prism with it and wondering why there is more error than specified.

I had the pleasure of watching in action some Leica equipment that was purchased by a large city for a monitoring project. They had Leica Geomos, a dedicated robot, dedicated prisms, etc. The repeatability that they were seeing in the measurements was astounding. Made me a believer.

The software has improved a lot with the Viva series.

The hardware is indeed solid and reliable. The trick if you decide to go Leica, go all Leica accessories. Your maintenance costs will be reduced. For example, the SECO 2 meters pole has a slightly larger radius than the Leica pole. The Leica bracket on a Leica pole is a non-issue. On the SECO, too tight, which eventually causes damage. Another example: The tape hook fits perfectly on a Leica tripod, not so much on other tripods, the clearance is not there. Etc. The often complaints about prism constants is a non-issue if you use their prisms, which are things of beauty.

A long paragraph to say, if you want to really enjoy your gear, make the commitment to use their accessoires, you will like it. Even more, make the committment to dispose of the non Leica accessories. They will cause you grief and cost in the long run.

agree 100%

The hardware is wonderful. I run a TS15,CS15, GS15 and a C10 Scanner and have not experienced any real hardware issues. Software? As others have said, there is a little more work to be done. Viva is still less intuitive than my old Topcon FC100 running TopSurv of all things! We do have connectivity issues that often require rebooting everything but that's about the only hardware issues we have. The optics are beautiful (obviously!) and the hardware itself is very well built. Fit and finish are fine. Like others have said, if you go Leica, go ALL Leica. Their legs? Wow... So nice! Our only accessory issue is a couple knobs broken off on bipods, but I'm a bit heavy handed when tightening things.

I wish Javad would get in ca-hoots with Leica, or an existing manufacturer, so that we could use a more common standard data collector.

N

With no disrespect for you, or the little swiss model, I wish you would not post stuff like that here. I was reading this thread last night, with 4 of my kids, and along came your little girl dressed in white, and I used it as an example of what is not a good role model. But, it interfered with me reading the rest of the thread. Kinda side tracked things.

N

I remember seeing one of their smaller prism poles and I thought "that thing looks flimsy". When I asked the guy using it if it was any good he informed my that it was over 10 years old and had never given him any problems at all, and that it stays in adjustment better than any he's had.

What I thought was flimsy was the way the squeeze mechanism worked, appearances were obviously deceiving. I have heard that same sentiment from everyone that has used their stuff for any amount of time, best one they've ever had.

I know a guy that still has two TC300s and uses them every day. They have been real workhorses. I used to work for him and cut my teeth as a crew chief on one of those, a TC307. Still my favorite of non-robotic instruments, but I'm sure I would like any of the new series just as much.

I was perusing eBay the other day and was shocked to see you can pick up a TCR1101+ for around $5,000.

Edit: I meant TM50, not TS02...

In the office I work at, we've been a Leica shop since I started there over ten years ago. Once in a blue moon there will be a hiccup of some sort, but I usually attribute it to cosmic radiation. Currently running a TS15P total station and GS14 GPS unit, with CS15 controllers for each, also a DNA03 barcode level. We still have a circa 2006 Leica 1230 GPS-only unit we use for static observations to run through RINEX.

We have indeed been very pleased with our Leica equipment. When other PC's or salespeople try to sway me elsewhere, I have but four words for them:

"We're a Leica shop."

I don’t consider this a kid’s informational site and I don’t think its content should be censored for children or religious beliefs.
Personally I have enjoyed references to the beautiful Swiss and other uncensored topics, kudos to being truthful instead of limiting opinions due to fear of offending.

i just now processed yesterday's raw file where i closed onto the far end of two open traverses using the TS12, coming off two original points cooked in with the GS14. run up either side of a densely wooded creek, based upon priority of needed info. one side was 4 legs over roughly 760 feet, the other being 6 over +/-1200'. had to adjust out .02' horizontally and .03' vertically.

i already was, but i'm sold all over again.

three thumbs up !!!

She would look even hotter in Trimble yellow - lol