Leica TS12P question(s)

Followup:?ÿ I acquired a TS12P for a song on eBay.?ÿ Couldn't believe it.?ÿ Not stolen -- yay!?ÿ?ÿ Actually arrived yesterday (not a fraudulent auction -- been there.)?ÿ In one piece (batting 1.000!)?ÿ Looks to be in great condition.?ÿ?ÿ CS15 with internal radio (known to work) won't talk to TS12P using a (known working) RH15 radio handle.?ÿ Strike One.?ÿ CS15 with CTR16 radio cap (known to work) won't talk to TS12P using a (known working) RH16 radio handle.?ÿ Strike Two.

In speaking with my local Leica rep, it is beginning to sound like my CS15's may require a "TS12" license (!) to talk to the gun.?ÿ <Sigh>?ÿ Leica strikes again!?ÿ Maybe.?ÿ Will see.?ÿ And will update this thread with what I discover, so as to hopefully help someone else avoid (or recover from) heartache (or burn, as the case may be).

Is it Smartworx on the TS12 and VIVA on the CS15?

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@party-chef

I believe that to be the case.  I mean, it's Leica and Leica.  The menu structure on the TS12 appears identical to what I see on an older TCRP+.  And it is the "standard" Leica software on the CS15 (i.e. NOT Carlson etc).  The underlying software on the CS15 appears to be the same as on the older RX1250-series, just most of the warts removed and edges smoothed.   I think they call it VIVA Smartworx?

I think what I have run afoul of... is that there appears to be a software option on the CS15 called "TS12 Full Usage."  I suspect that is required to drive a TS12P robot with a CS15.  I have an enquiry into my local Leica rep.  But I cringe at how much it may cost.

The "Full Usage" thing makes sense.?ÿ I grabbed a retired CS15 yesterday and it had "TS12 Lite" as the only option in the connection wizard.?ÿ I can't imagine the Full Usage add would be enough to negate the smoking deal you got on the gun though.?ÿ Probably about the cost of a CCP for the DC.?ÿ I remember there being something funny about the TS12, maybe they were trying to forcibly entice people towards the CS20 but I could be mistaken on that.

@cameron-watson-pls

I find it a bit odd, not to mention confusing, that under "Licensing," Leica MyWorld lists my CS15 as having "SmartWorx Viva Full."  One would think that means you have full usage of SmartWorx Viva across all their equipment. 

Furthermore... when I try to connect the CS15 to the gun, "TS30 / MS30,"  "TS50 / MS50" etc appear as options.  The TS12 is not listed, though there is a "TS12 Lite" option.  But the "TS12 Lite" is not a robot, as best I can tell.  The TS16 is not listed either.  My Leica rep told me yesterday that the new Leica entry-level robot is the TS13, but that after you get done adding all the "stuff" you probably want on a robot... you might as well just get a TS16.  I don't know if the "TS12 Full Usage" software option also works for the TS16, or if that is another $option$.

If adding "TS12 Full Usage" is an option, and only costs a few hundred dollars, that is a no-brainer.  If Leica wants something like $2500 to add TS12 Full Usage to my CS15, I'm either going to look for another used CS15, or sell the TS12P and keep a TCRP1203+.

Not surprising the TS16 isn't listed as it's Captivate.?ÿ The MS50 is Viva based so it should be listed on a CS15.?ÿ I just remember an offhand remark that my dealer made when we were BSing about people being pissed with Leica over the add to make their DC's work with the new TS12 when it launched.?ÿ Honestly though, you're not going to see a noticeable productivity increase between the 1203 and TS12 unless there is a big difference in the reflectorless distance between your two specific models.?ÿ There are end of life issues to consider but I keep a 1203 and TS15 as backups and there's not a significant performance difference between them other than the 1203 is R100 and the TS15 is R1000.?ÿ 1200's are still solid guns!?ÿ ?ÿ

I thought a surveyor for whom I do contract work was able to use his TS16 with at least one of his CS15's.?ÿ I'll ask.

@camptech

I run a TS12 (smartworx) with a CS15 (viva) the setup is not ideal and not as good as running a 1200 gun on the older dc. You will not be able to hop back and forth between instrument and dc.

The interface configuration is different than typical and is similar to running third party products, I will take a picture of the settings tomorrow. 

In the FWIW category, a brief summary of my experience and what I have found out regarding TS12P usage by Leica CS15 data collectors:

1. My local Leica dealer contacted Leica and requested software licenses for TS12 Full Usage by my CS15's.?ÿ Leica sent him TS16 licenses.?ÿ They didn't work -- the TS12P requires a TS12 license (i.e. they are not backwards compatible.)?ÿ He e-mailed Leica again to inquire about TS12 usage licenses -- i.e. did they cost money etc??ÿ (He didn't want to place a P.O. without clarification on the cost issue.)
2. I had contacted several eBay sellers of CS15 to enquire about a trade for CS15's that Leica MyWorld showed had "TS12 Full Usage" software options.?ÿ One of them, apparently a Leica dealer in Hawaii, replied to my enquiry and stated that he could obtain "TS12 Full Usage" licenses for me at no cost.?ÿ I e-mailed him my CS15 Serial No's and Equipment No's.?ÿ Yesterday he forwarded to me license files for both CS15's for TS12 usage.?ÿ I installed the licenses without issue, and now "TS12" appears in the configure menu where before it did not.

My Leica dealer told me he had never before seen a CS15 that did not have the TS12 Full Usage software option.?ÿ He added that my CS15's must have been "older" models that had been manufactured before the TS12P had been created.?ÿ According to him, all CS15's that were shipped after the TS12P had come into existence had the "TS12 Full Usage" software option.

Summary:

• CS15's require a "license file" entry for TS12P and TS16 usage.
• These licenses are apparently free.?ÿ (I.e. they did not cost me anything.)
• But these licenses must be requested from Leica.?ÿ Recommend you contact your local Leica dealer -- not sure how successful you would be going directly to Leica support.

Hope this helps someone in the future who might come searching for CS15 + TS12P usage.