Sorry for crossposting this thread as I am completely out of options. I live in a country where everything must be imported and you won't find much locally. I am trying to find a solution to a dilemma I am finding myself in currently.
I am Billy, and I am from Antsirabe Madagascar and I am planning to study Mechanical Engineering (distance learning) from the Technical University of Dresden in Germany starting next October.
Very recently, I bought a used Leica TCRP1205 in almost new condition from C.R Kennedy & Company in Sydney Australia online. The item was delivered with DHL in Madagascar very recently and quite frankly I am very happy with my purchase because the item looks very nice. It was only shipped with the carrying case and one battery. Nothing else. This is my very first total station so please I hope you'll be easy on me.
Pros: It's a Leica, and looks almost new, works perfectly
Cons: It doesn't have EGL and Bluetooth side cover, lacks all the accessories.
My target: I am mostly going to use this instrument for my studies, and although many people have told me that I won't need a total station at all, I still love the idea of owning a proper instrument for myself and not having to rent. I am planning to use this in a one-man operation mode. That being said, I obviously need to buy an additional set for the Remote/data collector kit. I also have already bought the lacking accessories for the robot itself such as an additional GEB221 battery a GLK221 charger, a data cable transfer, a rain cover, a height meter GMH007.
Here is a screenshot of what the seller gave me:
As you can see, it appears that my total station doesn't have Bluetooth. I am very upset about this because my goal is to use it as a one-man instrument with a remote and a 360 prism. I have already planned to buy a RH1200 radio handle in order to do it. Nonetheless, I was surprised that I might not be able to do so because it doesn't have Bluetooth.
As an image, here is a depiction of what I am trying to achieve:
I have read as much documentation as I could find online (if any of whatever I am writing looks ridiculous to you, I hope you'll be easy on me because it is going to be the first time for me to do so).
I have found that I require a GSD01 or GSD02 side cover for Bluetooth functionality. This doesn't sound logical to me at first because if the thing is a robotic Station, why wouldn't Leica make the Bluetooth a standard feature and instead make it an option? I could have only bought a cheaper TC305 and saved myself a lot. Am I wrong on this one? After that, I have tried to find the side cover everywhere on the internet but in vain. the closest thing I found was a GSD07side cover for the TS06.
My question: Please, can anyone here help me find or sell me GSD01/GSD02 Bluetooth side cover for my instrument? I live in a country where anything must be imported because you won't find much locally. If that fails, is there a setup or anything else that some of you here can suggest me in order to achieve my goal of robotic surveying as a one-man operator if my instrument doesn't have Bluetooth (without usind the recommended GSD01/GSD02 cover)?
Parani Bluetooth adaptors are an option for running it Bluetooth externally. However I think you may need the geocom module also. Others will know more about that. What software and data collector were you planning on using with it?
The one I'm using which I used parani sd1000 adaptors (a pair) before my boss bought an Rh17 for me, had all the options including the geocom module. I know you need that to use non Leica software with it, but I didn't look into it more thoroughly as it wasn't a concern for me.?ÿ
I think your only option is a wired TCPS27/29 radio. This will connect to 1200 controller and possibly standard CS15
There is also the newer version TCPS29/30 but I'm not sure if this is compatible with TPS1200. This would allow you to connect with CTR16 Cap or Captivate long range bluetooth.
It looks like the TCRP you purchased is one of the original versions.?ÿ When the 1200 series was first release there was no radio handle, they had an external radio.?ÿ The radios for the 1200 series are not extended range Bluetooth.?ÿ A year or so into the product life they came out with 'Bluetooth' side cover.?ÿ The Bluetooth is not used for running the robotics but cover does include the hot shoe needed for the radio handle.?ÿ The side cover was available as a dealer installed upgrade to the original models, I had it done to my TCRP1201, but it is not something you can do yourself.?ÿ The 1200 series will work with the newer external extend range Bluetooth radios although you might need to upgrade your firmware (look like you can get up into v7 series with you CCP date).?ÿ
The external radio will require and external battery and 'Y' cable.?ÿ The data collector you choose will dictate which version of external radio you need.?ÿ I you choose something other than a Leica collector you will need a Geocom license for the instrument.?ÿ?ÿ
You'll need the geocom license if the instrument did get sold to you with it.
There are a few options the cheapest would be the TCPS 27 UHF radio, Y cable and external battery for the instrument.?ÿ You'll need to source a Juniper Allegro MX data colletor with radio pod with Carlson SurvCE (for example) data collection software to run at the pole.?ÿ This setup will run with the firmware on the instrument now.
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Or you would need to purchase the TCPS 29 long range Bluetooth radio, Y cable, external battery and most likely the firmware on the instrument will need to be upgraded.?ÿ You will also need a long range Bluetooth compatible data collector with some type of data collection software.
For less money you could substitute the parani SD, but would need to make sure the vendor provided you with the cables and connetors for the instrument and data collector.
@350rocketmike Thank you very much for your input. I actually heard about this Parani bluetooth adapter as well for the second time now. First time was on reddit.
Nevertheless, I am a beginner and I don't even know what a geocom module is, so kinda stuck here. I also don't know much about data collectors and all but I was only thinking about a CS15 because that is the kind of field controller shipped with the TCRPs on the official Leica pre-owned website at this time. So I guess they must be pretty good.
You're lucky that you could upgrade to a RH17 which is a big plus. Mine does not have the communication side cover (these have the hot shoe required for the radio handle as John Putnam described) and I guess I will be stuck with the external bluetooth adapter.
Moreover, thanks for sharing your pictures, the illustration is very much helpful and appreciated.
@kilos Hi! Say, how is the wired TCPS27/29 radio different from the Parani bluetooth adapter that the others have mentionned above. I am very curious about this as I am also thinking about using the CS15 for the remote.
Please could you be kind enough to explain this setup more thoroughly and more beginner-friendly in some way?
@john-putnam Thanks a million for the history. That was very much insightful and it starts to make sense for me now.
Following up on your explanation, I am just curious to ask these: 1- Where does the external radio connect to?
2- Is it then impossible for me to get myself the GSD01 and install it myself so that I get the hot shoe required for the radio handle connection? The problem is that there is no dealer nearby that can upgrade it for me. Am I stuck with a cover that has no connection for radio handles?
3- Do you mind to share from which website I can find the external battery and the Y cable that you mentioned? Also, what kind of data collectors to you actually suggest? I am thinking about a CS15 but would love to hear your input first. I am trying to play it safe as a beginner so I might stick to Leica data collectors for now and avoid that geocom thingey.
@chappy Thank you very much for all the information! This is some crazy crash course for me now and I didn't think it would be this much information to absorb.
Firstly, what is this geocom license that everyone here is talking about? And where do I get one?
Secondly, how do I even upgrade the firmware of the instrument if I choose to got the TCPS29 LR Bluetooth radio route? What type of LR Bluetooth compatible data collector do you recommend for this setup?
Lastly, how is the Parani route compared to the two other setup you mentioned above? What would you choose if you were me?
...I am very upset about this because my goal is to use it as a one-man instrument with a remote and a 360 prism. I have already planned to buy a RH1200 radio handle in order to do it. Nonetheless, I was surprised that I might not be able to do so because it doesn't have Bluetooth.
I don't personally know much about this model instrument. But I do know that my coworker has been using a TCRP 1202 with a RX1220T data collector in robotic mode for some time, and that we just upgraded the radio handle and purchased a new CS20 with Captivate for him to use. So the instrument will do robotic when properly accessorized.?ÿ ?ÿ
@norman-oklahoma Yes I see your point. But as John Putnam wrote it above, I think the issue is about the fact that my instrument is old, like 2004 old. So your coworker was able to upgrade the radio handle just because he had this communication side cover that allows such upgrade. I am sure that your coworker's TCRP1202 has the GSD01 side cover which has the hot shoe pins that allows the installation of any radio handle on top and has integrated bluetooth.
The problem is that my instrument doesn't have the communication side cover. Due to this, I am not even capable of using radio handles like your coworker did. I have been searching the internet thoroughly to find a GSD01 on sale anywhere but in vain. In the end, I think I will go with the external radio adapter route such as the Parani BTs according to the others'suggestions above.
Easiest way to add bluetooth to a manual total station.
Geocom license allows you to run your Leica robot with non Leica data collector and software, like SurvCE for example. Cost about $1000 I think.
Parani's - use the search function - there are multiple threads on the subject. They are like the ebay item I linked, but long range so you can be on the rod and control the gun from there.
@norman-oklahoma Yes I see your point. But as John Putnam wrote it above, I think the issue is about the fact that my instrument is old, like 2004 old. So your coworker was able to upgrade the radio handle just because he had this communication side cover that allows such upgrade. I am sure that your coworker's TCRP1202 has the GSD01 side cover which has the hot shoe pins that allows the installation of any radio handle on top and has integrated bluetooth.
The problem is that my instrument doesn't have the communication side cover. Due to this, I am not even capable of using radio handles like your coworker did. I have been searching the internet thoroughly to find a GSD01 on sale anywhere but in vain. In the end, I think I will go with the external radio adapter route such as the Parani BTs according to the others'suggestions above.
You will?ÿ still need a Geocom licence installed if you're planning on using non Leica data collector and software. The?ÿ bluetooth side cover won't give you much range ( maybe 10m). The cheapest and most straight forward way for you would be to get a leica controller and a leica RH radio handle that works with the controller. If you go the Parani SD1000?ÿ way, you still have to spend $1000 on a Geocom licence if you can find a Leica dealer to sell it to you, then you have to buy a controller that has a long range bluetooth and a software that works with your TCRP. I only know of 2: SurvCE and Fieldgenius
