I am looking for input regrading reflectorless total stations. I utilize a TOPCON 802A robot in my solo operation. It is a great instrument that I purchased new in 2002, but does not have reflectorless ability. I am exploring adding a light reflectorless total station that could take some load of the robot for use in general traversing, preliminary cadastral work and add the reflectorless ability I am looking for.
I am somewhat partial to TOPCON, use SurvCE for collection software and would like dual-axis compensation, 1,000 foot reflectorless range and would be happy with 5" angular accuracy.
Any recommendations or past experiences would be very much appriciated.
Thanks in advance,
Matt (in Wisconsin)
Matthew,
I have the Topcon CTS 3007. It is the construction total station that Topcon makes. I cannot be more pleased with it. It does not have the dual axis compensation, but I get good closures with it. It is lightweight, great battery life, and the reflectorless reaches out to around 800 feet. I think I paid a little over $4000 for it. I got mine on the Hayes Worry Free Lease.
Hope this helps.
Jimmy
P.S. A good friend of mine has the Topcon GPT3005 I believe, and he really likes it as well. It is a little nicer instrument than mine, but is was almost twice as much.
Longtime user of the Trimble 5603 here. That design is a little long in the tooth now but still hard to beat. I have been obligated to use a Lieca TCRP1205+ lately which is a great gun but the VIVA software is about 10 years from being what the Trimble Survey Controller software is now.
I recently saw a demo of the Topcon QS which looked really promising. I'd take a good look at that if I was in the market.
Topcon GPT3005 (a few years old now) is a nice reflectorless gun for the applications you describe. Light and friendly with SurvCE. Bluetooth too.
I use a leica TCR 1105 which works great, and you should be able to find used ones at a very reasonable price! (although they are now discontinued and not supported by leica)
I've run mine for the past 10 years without a problem.
I use the Topcon 9005A and works well as a reflectorless instrument.
John