Leica TCR 705 or Nikon NPL 322 ??

Are they both reflectorless?

I have a Leica reflectorless, and really like the narrow beam. Mine is a very early one, and does not have the long distance reflectorless, but Long Distance, and Narrow Beam are both good.

N

Leica all the way on that. The Leica reflectorless is definitely the best and you will get a whole lot tighter sets with the Leica over the Nikon any day.

I've never used the Leica so I can't comment on it. I have a Nikon NPL332 for 5+ years now. Absolutely no problems, excellent battery life. Plays well with SMI and MicroSurvey FieldGenius. I would buy another.

Have used both of these instruments extensively right back to when they were the latest model.

For my use I would choose the Nikon for the following reasons -

1) The on-board software has reference line and other handy utilities built in.
This was an extra on the 705 and most of them don't have it.

2) The up and download is relatively simple via a serial cable using free software. eg windows terminal. I can advise further on this if required.

3) I prefer the workflow of the software - less button pushing for the same operations. This can come down to personal preference and what you're used to though.

The Leica has a couple of things going for it. Visible laser and endless tangent screws (this could be a plus or minus). It also has a better brand reputation for optics and accuracy, couldn't comment myself.

A very annoying thing for me when I come to use the 705 these days is that the up and download is by serial cable and Leica Geo Office Tools is the only free software I know of that will do it. This is not fully compatible with Vista / Win7 / Win8. I don't even really like the software at all. Very clunky

If you are just planning to turn angles and distances, or maybe use an external data collector then the advantages I have described above for the nikon don't apply.