That is not a Leica made pole adaptor, well aware of those Seco ones but it will not make one of the Lecia poles read the correct height from pole graduations for both GNSS with 5/8th to prism with bayonet in the same way the Seco 'quick change' poles can.
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Happen to like the weight and build quality of the Lecia poles better just pity they don't make an adaptor that clips on bayonet so the pole height graduations are still correct with adaptor plus GNSS head, in particular the GLS12 pole
Pretty sure the GAD31 is not long enough to clip to a bayonet pole and have the GNSS at the height the pole graduations read? Sure we checked that on a GLS12 in past as have the GAD31 on the GNSS set.
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I want an adaptor that is correct length so that prism on bayonet the pole graduations are true and then when you clip adaptor and GNSS on the pole height graduations are also true.
@oldpacer: There is a metal version of that rod that is not much heavier than the CF one.?ÿ One slight drawback of those rods is that the lock buttons are actuated by a spring inside (between the buttons) that pushes the buttons into the holes in the outer section of the rod.?ÿ When the buttons wear out from sliding inside the outer section, the spring will force its way through the now thinned plastic button and shoot out, most likely causing it to be lost in the process.?ÿ A watchful eye may help prevent this.?ÿ That said, those rods are proof against incorrect rod heights.?ÿ They are my preference for rover rods.
@lukenz No, the GAD31 does not give the same height as the TPS, it is 50 mm lower.?ÿ Like I said, the GLS12 has a 2 m pin lock for both TPS and GNSS (as well as GNSS mounted to the prism).?ÿ Personally, I created an antenna type that applies the -50 mm vertical offset between height reading and antenna height.
That idea about the antenna type is excellent as can do that with Leica software, one of those obvious things I didn't think about.
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I'm using Geomax XPAD though and it isn't quite as customisable. You can set custom prism types that allow for a bayonet adaptor on 5/8 pole (GLS13 only has 1.8/2.0 snaps so bit limited for TPS work) similar to Seco one above but GNSS just assumes it's sitting on a pole of the correct height. May have to get a custom adaptor made for GAD31 to make up difference.
The other drawback is the fine threads that locks the pole in place is sensitive to dust/grit and gum up pretty easy, at least the Leica GLS30 one does.
Wow! Thank you for sharing your experience and opinion on poles. I'll read all of them very carefully and hopefully I'll be able to pick good points that would lead me to the right decision in buying my new poles.
Carbon fiber is nice when it comes to weight but the one time I used one the rod did develop a crack and I think the scale rubbed off pretty quickly (if it even had one, can't quite remember).?ÿ I gotta admit the fixed height metal rods are nice for preventing rod height busts and you can really crank the DC bracket down.
Carbon fiber is nice when it comes to weight but the one time I used one the rod did develop a crack
The secret is to add a sleeve where the DC clamps.?ÿ I fitted an aluminum sleeve to mine on Day 1 and have been using it for over 10 years with no cracks.?ÿ?ÿ
I sorely miss the Crain Alumalite poles.?ÿ Stronger than the carbon fiber, and just about as light.?ÿ My last one is just about wore out, would love to get a few more to close out the career.?ÿ Still made at Seco for buying them up to kill them off.
Carbon fiber is nice when it comes to weight but the one time I used one the rod did develop a crack
The secret is to add a sleeve where the DC clamps.?ÿ I fitted an aluminum sleeve to mine on Day 1 and have been using it for over 10 years with no cracks.?ÿ?ÿ
Same only I used a sleeve made from black plumbing PVC pipe.?ÿ I find two advantages:
1. Prevents the rod from cracking
2. Makes it easier to adjust the height (some rods, when cranked down, make a suction of sorts that pull the rod back down)
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The sleeve allows me to tighten it so that I can lift the whole assembly easily (ie. bipod, DC, prism & rover head) without fear of cracking the carbon fibre.
Still made at Seco for buying them up to kill them off.
Yes, that is the best prism pole, in my opinion.?ÿ Definitely weird that they bought Crain, but then only continued with their Tri-Max tripods and the 25' rods, not much of anything else
