Thanks everyone for all of the suggestions. I'm still not sure what to do but there is a lot of food for thought here. I want to get the best that I can afford but I don't think a new instrument is the answer at this time. I may have to settle for something older and take a gamble on how long it will last. Hopefully it'll last until I can afford something newer.
Gregg
Gregg,
I had an 8203 when i started out and used it alot to work solo. It was a challenge to get things done if it wasnt wide open. Cables always wearing out, heavy as all get out. If you have two people it isnt too bad.
My suggestion is find equipment you want to purchase and talk to Anne Rodriguez at bank of the west for financing. I have the Carlson CR2 now which is basically a Zoom80, rebranded to Carlson. I got a smoking hot deal on it from Jim Carlson, who is great to work with.
I asked a bunch of questions on here about equipment and its tough to get a good unbiased opinion because we are all mostly familiar with what we use, not many companies have a bunch of different types of equipment.
I stayed away from the worry free lease because there was so much cash left to pay at the end after all those payments.
Lugeyser, post: 386629, member: 1249 wrote: Gregg,
I had an 8203 when i started out and used it alot to work solo. It was a challenge to get things done if it wasnt wide open. Cables always wearing out, heavy as all get out. If you have two people it isnt too bad.
My suggestion is find equipment you want to purchase and talk to Anne Rodriguez at bank of the west for financing. I have the Carlson CR2 now which is basically a Zoom80, rebranded to Carlson. I got a smoking hot deal on it from Jim Carlson, who is great to work with.
I asked a bunch of questions on here about equipment and its tough to get a good unbiased opinion because we are all mostly familiar with what we use, not many companies have a bunch of different types of equipment.
I stayed away from the worry free lease because there was so much cash left to pay at the end after all those payments.
Lugeyser,
Why do you reccommend that particular financing?
Gregg
With your budget you're not going to get something quite as seamless as an S6, but all of the robots you mention would allow you to make a go of it for the time being with your current DC and Paranis. Some people like the 5600 over the S6; it is definitely slower but has a very reliable lock with an active target. The Topcon is a highly sensitive system and requires a deliberate routine to maintain lock, but searches well with the infrared control. With a TCRA1100 you won't have PowerSearch, which really makes life easier. The 1200 is the cream of the crop, as long as you get a TCRP not a TCRA or some other variation. If you look this way try to get a "+" version as that EDM board is the newest and easiest to source.
A TPS1200 would probably be the best option for someone with your background/software, but also the most expensive, plus you'll need an extended GeoCom license. Whatever you do try to buy from a trustworthy and honest seller.
Just get a new one.....just put down what you were going to pay for a used one as a down payment. Then finance the rest. You can probably get the payment down to $200-something per month. How much work would you have to do to cover that? Half of the profit on one very small survey per month or something?
GMPLS, post: 386632, member: 8404 wrote: Lugeyser,
Why do you reccommend that particular financing?
Gregg
Because they helped me with my GPS Lease/Purchase. And when I wanted to buy two robots they financed that as well at a good rate. You will find not many banks will finance surveying equipment, because if they have to repo it, who can they sell it to. They'd much rather have their money in vehicles or land. I shopped around and they are good to work with.
We use Carlson office software and had Topcon equipment, but they are trending in the apple model of making you have a magnet data collector, etc. I had the magnet on a mesa and hated it. The software could be pretty good i think, but the mesa was terrible. That's when I decided to buy the Carlson Surveyor 2s and transition to the CR2 robots. I don't think the Surveyor 2 is as intuitive as Survey Pro, but the GPS and Surface modeling is nice. The field to finish feature is nice as well.