Hello there Leica users..
Are Viva and TS30 equipped with different reflectorless EDMs? Which EDM can really measure ANY SURFACE as suggested in their respective product literature based on your experience?
My Flexline fails on specific material properties.
Thank you guys.
Regards,
Arnel
What surface?
The RL part of EDM board in the FlexLine, TPS1200 Plus series, TS30 and TS Viva total stations are the same. Each system has a single EDM board that generates both RL and IR measurements.
The issue here is to read the RL specifications for reflectorless. These specifications are all written to give possible distances in relevance to the work enviroment. The conditions are:
Range 1 - Object in strong sunlight, severe heat shimmer
Range 2 - Object in share, or overcast
Range 3 - Day, night and twilight
Range 3 will be the one where you can acheive the maximum distance capability. You need to also consider the specifications as compare to the reflectivity of the surface you are shooting.The specifications also give possible ranges for a 90% relective surface to a 18% reflective surface.
The biggest issue I have seen with users and measureing with reflectorless EDMs is the angle of incidence of the target surface. Everyone seems to think it is just a point and shoot procedure. I the angle of incidence is very small the reutrn back to the instrument is extremely weak. Say you are very close to a wall (for example 3 feet away) and you are measureing a distance down the wall sya 200 feet away. How can the beam bounce back? The spot shape of the beam becomes oblong and the signal is defused. Leica gives you an answer with a great amount of certainty if the conditions are within the capabilities of the RL EDM. The user needs to consider all ofthis when trying to measure objects with RL.
I agree, anything more than about 30 degrees off perpendicular and the results are iffy. 45 degrees at the most.
Well, if that is the case, "ANY SURFACE" should have been avoided by Leica from any of its product literature.