First let me say thank you for taking the time to read the post. I have a small concrete company here in Tennessee. We specialize in low end commercial and industrial applications. I have experience with Topcon units from my previous workplace. I'm in the market to purchase a new to me gun and I am having difficulty in finding what gun would be best suited for our purpose. The gun would be used to lay out the building off of the survey control points. I would need to be able to store up to five jobs on the unit. I don't need to purchase a unit with every bell and whistle and I simply need one that I can shoot distance and angles and is data collector capable. If someone could point me in the direction of a model that would work, and not break the bank, I'd be very grateful. Thank you
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What's the price that would break your bank?
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Topcon LN-100 with formal training from a survey tech ( not a dealer sales person)
Call Jerry Sheron at Hayes in Shelbyville he will hook you up. 1-800-251-1280. They might even have a used set up for you.
Thanks for the replies guys. I'd like to have a tripod, total station, prism, and 4' extension pole for less than $2000
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makerofmaps, post: 424361, member: 9079 wrote: Call Jerry Sheron at Hayes in Shelbyville he will hook you up. 1-800-251-1280. They might even have a used set up for you.
Thanks I'll call today
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Not going to happen for 2k unless its a very used setup.
Good luck. That will barely pay for 2 days training.
You can't get much of an EDM for that price. Maybe stick with a theodolite and steel tape, or pay survey to layout.
A surveyor might pull it off, under 2 k, used, ebay.
He could do all the callibration, indexing, checking. Prism offsets, etc.
But, a non surveyor...
Who may need a system set up... Double that.
One thing though.
Whatever you get, check the offsets. Just shoot a distance, and check it with a simple box tape. 10 feet away is fine.
N
Ditto what Nate said. You can find an old Sokkia and pair it with a TDS Recon for about that price. Gonna want to have it checked though = $.
tree_ghost, post: 424311, member: 12668 wrote: First let me say thank you for taking the time to read the post. I have a small concrete company here in Tennessee. We specialize in low end commercial and industrial applications. I have experience with Topcon units from my previous workplace. I'm in the market to purchase a new to me gun and I am having difficulty in finding what gun would be best suited for our purpose. The gun would be used to lay out the building off of the survey control points. I would need to be able to store up to five jobs on the unit. I don't need to purchase a unit with every bell and whistle and I simply need one that I can shoot distance and angles and is data collector capable. If someone could point me in the direction of a model that would work, and not break the bank, I'd be very grateful. Thank you
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Ghost - I have no idea what things are like in Tennessee, but in my State you would need to be a Licensed Surveyor to perform that type of work. It might be worth your while to check with your State Licensing Board before you get too far down the road.
Your right on point Jim, but, as much as I don't like it he said from "the survey control points", in a leap I'm assuming that's site control set by the Surveyor that performed the boundary and topo survey for the project, at that point he's just measuring from a reference point set by a Surveyor, at his own liability. If this practice isn't up and up then we have a some work to do, because in principal, that practice is prevalent in machine guidance.
BK9196, post: 424432, member: 12217 wrote: he said from "the survey control points", in a leap I'm assuming that's site control set by the Surveyor that performed the boundary and topo survey for the project, at that point he's just measuring from a reference point set by a Surveyor, at his own liability.
Bingo! The GC has his surveyor set building corners and bench mark. I layout the building from there. Don't need any training on how to do that I been doing it for over 10 years. Only difference is is now I'm buying my own equipment instead of the company I'm working for providing it. Which is why I'm asking for outside assistance in narrowing down the field of choice for purchasing my total station. I can get a topcon gts 300 series from a reputable survey calibration company for $1800. Prism, bag, tripod, and pole for around $300. I also have the opportunity to get a spectra nomad with survey pro from a buddy who has 2 extra. That would run an additional $500. Does this sound like a solid setup for the money?
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Well, MR Ghost,
I'd put the thing through it's paces 2x.
Once, just shoot the prism 10' away, and check with box tape.
Then zero the gun, at a far away site, and invert, and flip it, and check the vertical, and horizontal. Make SURE that the gun 180å¡ is very close. Make sure the vertical is a reciprocal. ie, 91å¡ and 89å¡
set the gun up, and do it AGAIN through the data collector. (There are SETTINGS in data collectors, that can change things).
then, set it up solid, and take it LOOSE from the tribrach, and rotate it 30å¡, and replace it, and repeat, and SEE if the Plummet hits the same place.
You are on your own here./..... take nothing for granted.
It's your monkey.
N
I don't have Topcon experience, a few thoughts, if it measures distances and angles, communicates with the data collector and is calibrated sounds reasonable for what you are looking for. As a err of caution, review your states board for professional land surveying laws, although I don't believe you are in violation, having that knowledge wouldn't be a bad idea so you don't inadvertently cross the line.
See if your local dealer can hook you up with a used robot. I'll bet it can be done for 5-6k. Take a small loan or lease, skip the endless walking back and forth with bipods.
I would recommend a brand new 2LS Cygnus. I was using one until I got my robot, and I still use it sometimes. It will cost about $3200 though, but it's reliable, easy to use, and the battery lasts FOREVER
Nate: does your instrument still read 91å¡ and 89å¡? My old K&E does that.
My Nikon reads 91å¡ and 269å¡.
Jim in AZ, post: 424418, member: 249 wrote: Ghost - I have no idea what things are like in Tennessee, but in my State you would need to be a Licensed Surveyor to perform that type of work. It might be worth your while to check with your State Licensing Board before you get too far down the road.
just curious if a contractor decides to use a total station or robotic total station to layout his work using the provided surveyed corners as control, how is that any different from using strings and tapes. it is essentially another method of layout. obviously he would only be doing the layout for himself not for other trades.
What is the consensus for a Nikon DTM 520?
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