Leica vs Geomax

Topcon Vs Sokkia

trimble Vs. spectra

They are both the same in that Leica has taken some older models and revamped them into a new lower-priced product line. So the GPS is based from GPS1200 models and the total stations are based on the TPS1200. Change some colors and some icons and you now have GeoMax. Other competitors were doing the same thing to get into different pricing markets.

I would compare the EDM specs that may have been limited between brands if you are interested. I am not sure if Leica let the GeoMax have the PowerSearch feature from TPS1200. The main thing to consider is who you are buying from if you look at GeoMax. Since it is a lower price market the dealers that are selling these products are completely different creature sometimes. Service after the sale is worth paying for the newer models.

The robot that Carlson has branded is a GeoMax with different stamping.

> The Leica top guy for U.S./Canada/CentAmer (they use the term "NAFTA") Ken Mooyman talked about the Geomax line in an interview a few months back:
>
> Q. As an example, the GeoMax brand that we saw in the exhibition hall—would this be considered an “entry level” product line?
>
> Ken: It can vary around the world; for us in NAFTA [markets in the United States, Canada, Mexico, et al.], I wouldn’t call it entry level. For us it is a different brand that would be used to gain entry into different applications or markets where the Leica Geosystems brand may not fit so well. It can be positioned based more on pricing, but I wouldn’t say “entry level” because it has full functionality at the price point.
>
> Q. What would be some examples of a market for the GeoMax brand?
>
> Ken: We have to make sure at Hexagon, and with the other manufacturers as well, that we understand that there are customers who put value in different things, such as workflow, or perhaps service and support, or ease of use is also a good one. At Leica Geosystems, we want to ensure that we offer the very best in support—not just in the concept of traditional support people, but in having support products (like innovation upgrades, remote diagnostics, on-site trainers, etc.)
>
> Although we provide traditional support for GeoMax we don’t offer as many of the support products I just mentioned. That’s because GeoMax customers might not put as much value in such products. For example, if someone has a Leica Geosystems [solution], then it can continue to be upgraded with firmware or traded in, but, on the other hand, customers might not really care about that. [If] I want to buy an instrument because I have a one-year project with a specific task, then maybe the GeoMax might be the best choice. It is another example of our goal to provide customers with a choice.
>
> Q. These might be a good choice for other mapping and positioning applications like forestry?
>
> Ken: I think that brings up another discussion; when you say something like “forester” and think of other people working outside of the surveying industry, then I think we are really talking about applications: What is their workflow, and what is their application? That is where a couple of things can happen, and that is where MicroSurvey can come into play. This is where we are trying to use MicroSurvey in NAFTA to provide local applications.
>
> That is a message I love about this [approach] … I do not think, as in the example of the forester, that they necessarily need to [apply a full surveying solution] to the application they are doing. Clearly, though, if they are doing true surveying, if they are doing cadastral work, then that needs to be done by a surveyor. However, if they are putting positions on trees to study them for growth or insects or [such], then this is a good solution. There is traditional cadastral surveying and there are many other applications that use geospatial (surveying) data.

He basically said Nothing........

My Geomax Zoom 80 does have the Power Search feature.

I ran a Leica 1200 for years and haven't
noticed any differences between the Leica and
Geomax.

Scott

It made suspicious when the Leica Exec in the post above didn't really specify much of anything.

Ken: It can vary around the world; for us in NAFTA [markets in the United States, Canada, Mexico, et al.], I wouldn’t call it entry level. For us it is a different brand that would be used to gain entry into different applications or markets where the Leica Geosystems brand may not fit so well.

Ok so it's not an entry level gun, any competent Surveyor can see that.Different Applications??? Like what?

Q. What would be some examples of a market for the GeoMax brand?

Ken: We have to make sure at Hexagon, and with the other manufacturers as well, that we understand that there are customers who put value in different things, such as workflow, or perhaps service and support, or ease of use is also a good one. At Leica Geosystems, we want to ensure that we offer the very best in support—not just in the concept of traditional support people, but in having support products (like innovation upgrades, remote diagnostics, on-site trainers, etc.)

Ok so there is a different level of support and firmware upgrades, fine

Q. These might be a good choice for other mapping and positioning applications like forestry?

Ken: I think that brings up another discussion; when you say something like “forester” and think of other people working outside of the surveying industry, then I think we are really talking about applications: What is their workflow, and what is their application? That is where a couple of things can happen, and that is where MicroSurvey can come into play. This is where we are trying to use MicroSurvey in NAFTA to provide local applications.

So he denies that this is Forestry Gun, changes the subject to Microsurvey and dodged every direct question asked of him.
This leads me to believe that this is one and the same instrument as the old 1200 series and Leica can't do anything about it, it kinda makes it clear that Hexagon is calling the shots and this guy won't go into any detail or tell us what he really thinks.
That was the most evasive set of responses I've heard in a while.

Ralph

> So it is essentially a very capable unit at a lower price.
> And some folks would paint this as somehow a bad thing?

> I always thought more choices was a good thing.
Me too. I bought a Geomax Zenith 20 network rover about 3 months ago. I needed something to replace my Leica 530 base-rover-radio setup. It served me well for 8 years, I was bumping up against the narrow-band radio issue and I could still get decent money for it as a complete, operating system. From what I sold it for, it didn't cost much more to buy the Geomax. I went with the Geomax for several reasons. Although nobody at Leica or Geomax will officially say its a Leica unit, the fact that it contains Novatel 'technology', tells me that it just might be as good as a Leica unit. (Hexagon owns Novatel, Leica and Geomax). The other factor was price - the price was very right! Whether it will hold up for 8 years like my 530 system... only time will tell.

My buddy Scott Freshwaters (everybody knows Scott!)owns a Geomax robot. If he's seeing this post, I'm sure he will comment on it. The last time we talked, he had nothing but good things to say about it.

If you're one who can deal with minor issues that pop-up with all new equipment and can handle those issues without a support person right next to you, the Geomax might be for you. Feel free to email me if you have questions.

I bought mine from Allen Precision and am very happy with the after sale support.

> So it is essentially a very capable unit at a lower price.
> And some folks would paint this as somehow a bad thing?
> I always thought more choices was a good thing.

Exactly and Leica won't cop to it and some on this board insist that it is somehow inferior.

Ralph

> So it is essentially a very capable unit at a lower price.
> And some folks would paint this as somehow a bad thing?
> I always thought more choices was a good thing.

:good:
I thought it was a pretty clear explanation from Leica.

I do wish that there were third party comparisons available. For instance with GPS receivers, are there any real differences?

I have heard that a lot of them use the same chipsets. But, would this be an example perhaps where the brand matters because of the intangibles? (Firmware updates, etc.)

> Hey, that's biz and they're all doing it to some degree, and there may be some deficiencies. There are top end and low end and in between, different gear for different folks. leica had them right on the floor at their conference and no one there was denying that it has a Novatel board inside. So what? Different cost-benefit models-risks for different users. Still fail to see how that is such a bad thing.

I think you and I agree. Here's a previous post on the same subject and you'll see where I'm coming from.

[msg]177940[/msg]

Ralph

So it sounds like there is basically no difference.

BTW for those interested in the Geomax gun, I was told by a reliable source that it can be configured to work with TDS.

Ralph

> :good: :good:
>
> Thnx for the link; I had missed that thread

No, thank you:-)

Cheers,
Ralph

Well it's an old post, hope you don't mind but I'm now looking at the Zoom80 series. Can anyone comment on them after two or three years of use? Still working OK? Service?

I own (2) GeoMax Zenith35 Proƒ??s and a Zenith 40 and I can tell you from experience that these units are very superior. ?ÿUnder canopy they have no problems and are every bit as accurate as anything Iƒ??ve ever used. ?ÿCompared to the Trimble R10 they blow that unit away. ?ÿFor the price point with GeoMax you can not go wrong. ?ÿThey are as good or better than anything out there right now?ÿ