I agree. The RCS radio tends to give up well before the TCPS26B hanging off the tripod. I've always found that to be odd, because the TCPS26B converts a 12V signal down to 6V, while the RCS runs on 6V directly. There must be something dirty about the current in the RCS, or it might be that the RCS gets knocked around a lot more.
Replacing both with a Parani SD1000 works better for range. I actually mounted one inside my 1100. It works nicely if you are prepared to butcher the SD1000.
@micheal-daubyn-
Now that you're here.. ?????ÿ
As an expert on keeping the 1100 going long past it's sell by date...
Have you ever dealt with the changing of the built in battery?
Mine is year 2000, so it's hopefully been changed at least once, but should it die, I'm curious what the options are, as I'm sure the official response from Leica is "Time to buy a new gun!"?ÿ
I gather the firmware needs to be reloaded, the circles reset, basically a whole bunch of stuff..
Anyone else with experiences, happy to hear too.
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Yes I still run a TCA 1100, great instrument, slow, heavy, external power and modem but built well, a quality instrument.
We have the Leica in the original post as a backup gun at our office (inherited from a local company my boss recently bought out). They haven't been able to use it as a robot in years (not sure if the Bluetooth handle is dead or the archaic Leica data collector has a problem or what). I can't use it robotically with my Panasonic tablet. The motor still works (a bit noisy) so I can use it for auto rotate. I was using it the other day manually with my helper when we sent our broken Sokkia ix-503 away and hadn't received a loaner yet. The ix needs it's 2nd ultrasonic motor replacement in 2.5 years.?ÿ
We had much better luck with the Sokkia SRX. The one crew uses it every day still and it's gotta be about 8-9 years old now. It's our second one, the first one got traded on the iX which is a lemon.?ÿ
The SRX does usually get used manually since it is pretty slow, so that likely increased the lifespan quite a bit. I don't believe he's even had to get new batteries for it yet.?ÿ
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You can level by yourself.?ÿ It take little more time and a lot more exercise.?ÿ I currently have a single rod w/ bipod for my DNA03.?ÿ I'm getting ready to purchase a second rod setup that will cut my walking significantly.
For longer runs I have gone the temp agency route to hire a rod person.?ÿ Does not take much in the way of knowledge to run the rod.
I've done 1-man leveling, even ran a 1/2 mile out and 1/2 mile back once, but it takes forever.?ÿ I long ago stopped leveling for common engineering design work -- the total station is adequate -- so the only leveling I've done in the last decade is for geodetic control (Second Order Class II).?ÿ I wouldn't want to try that 1-man, there's too much expensive equipment involved, and leaving the level setup long enough to do all the legwork of moving the rod ahead isn't really in keeping with the intent of the standard (minimize settling error).?ÿ Plus the bipod holding up the invar rod isn't so stable that I'd want to leave it unattended.
As a practical matter I'm probably done with leveling.?ÿ I've thought about selling my DNA03 and rods, but I've never gotten around to acting on the thought.
Point taken.?ÿ I rarely run level anymore either.?ÿ I've never find much difference in the results I get from running good control with my instrument.?ÿ I only break it out when there is a contractual expectation.?ÿ If it is short, say a couple of turns, or personnel access issues then I may go the one-person route.?ÿ Anything long I break from my solo mode of operation and hire another warm body through a temp service.?ÿ And that happens about once a year.
What sort of issues did you have with the 1200+ series? Just speed in general? What software did you use?
I just went from a painful couple years with a modern Sokkia iX robot to a 2010 TCRP1203+ with a pain in the butt Parani hanging off the legs and it keeps a lock way better than the Sokkia did. It connects faster and gets lock just as fast. Only thing it's slower at is turning, but I can tell it which way to turn towards me which saves a ton of time. If this thing keeps running I could put up with it another year or 2 and I do 12+ hours of solo construction layout right now. I've been getting enough done in a day to amaze the office staff, both with the topcon gt we had on loan for the last Sokkia ix repair and with this Leica.?ÿ
Update: I don't know why it had no more than 10m range with the rh15 radio handle (it's since gone missing so I couldn't play around further) but a Parani sd1000 attached to the instrument only (using a Panasonic fz-m1 with long range Bluetooth built in) I can go 150m under ideal conditions and the tcrp1203+ is a much better instrument than the modern Sokkia iX I had been using.?ÿ
I had thought the radio handle wasn't compatible with my tablet but it doesn't seem like that's true after all. Anyone else have thoughts on that?
Does not take much in the way of knowledge to run the rod.
I've never met anyone who could reliably look at the bubble. I've met plenty of rodpersons who can reliably look at everything else, except the bubble.
I like to walk to the side of the pole and check it from 90?ø when it's a bit too high to see from the front. Eventually it got to the point I always had it dead on in and out even with the parallax from the front. On control points I still always check it from the side.?ÿ
@350rocketmike if you mean software, TDS Survey Pro on a Ranger data collector, with Deaton Geo-Tronics bluetooth (sort of Parini type) ??radios?.
EDIT:
The lifespan of a modern total station has a lot to do with your business model. One that has become less competitive in high production topo work may continue to be very viable for control/boundary.
It also depends on how it is handled and cared for day-to-day. If the guy making the monthly payments is the guy using it the life span will be greatly enhanced. I've seen some going strong at 15 years, others that were done at 3.?ÿ
In the end the availability of parts and service is the last word.?ÿ?ÿ
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How about any thoughts on water resistance after 10+ years? This time of year we're fighting with rainy weather a lot. In the winter it's snow and ice.?ÿ
Before I was worrying about damaging a $20,000 robot and now it's like a $3000 robot (my bosses money - but I do care).?ÿ
I feel more worried about rain damage on an 11 year old robot with older seals etc. I like this instrument a lot better than the Sokkia iX so I'd really rather it not get destroyed and I'm stuck with the Sokkia again (if it's still around) or my boss has to buy something else. I wouldn't mind if he bought me a new Leica ts16 but I don't think I really need it at this point. The old robot shoots fast, holds a lock with an iron grip (compared to what I'm used to - I haven't used a Trimble) and it connects in like 2 seconds because of the serial port BT adaptor.?ÿ
I also have to keep water out of the Bluetooth connector and cables, which I've done by best with a waterproof cell phone case to keep most of the rain off it.?ÿ
