Look at getting a different robot and need opinions on the topcon QS or PS. I have not run these two and would like some thoughts on the tracking and search capabilities. I currently run a 8000 series topcon.
I have ran both QS and PS, along with your 8000 and 9000. They are both much faster and lighter than your 8000.
The QS uses bluetooth from controller to RC4, then Spread Spectrum from RC4 to the QS.
The PS uses long link bluetooth. The RC5 is very loud beep. May need to cover the speaker hole when working inside a building (construction layout).
Speed and accuracy is about the same, from what I have seen.
PS holds a better lock. You can just about run with prism.
The biggest gain on the PS is you do NOT have to place instrument in Remote Control Mode. I have walked away from the QS and 9000 countless times to find out I did not set the Remote Control Mode, had to walk back. With the PS, just turn it on, level, plumb over point and walk away.
I like the ATP1 prism, better than the A7.
RC4 is about the same as RC5, in my opinion.
Lee Green
Lee, is the weight at the rod about the same? Also if you had to choose one or the other which one would you pick and why?
I'd say weight of rod is the same, PS may be a fraction lighter.
It's a tough choice. If $$ was not the deciding factor, then I think I would choose the QS. I think the distance range of the QS maybe better with spread spectrum over PS using bluetooth.
The load beep on RC-5 is really annoying.
You can purchase an ATP1 knock off prism from China for $325, ($1400 from Topcon) and I made a 3d printed mount to attach the RC4 to a ATP1 prism. Works fine.
Same with batteries. Topcon wants $300, or you can get from China for $75.
I forgot to mention the Horizontal and Vertical control knobs are much better on the QS. I really like the inner - fine tune on QS. There is no fine tune on the PS.
I do a lot consulting and training for local Topcon dealer. So I use losts of different instruments. The LN-100 is very good, but lacks optics, and prismless mode.
If Topcon could combine a QS or PS with the auto Leveling feature of the LN-100, it would be a great instrument.
I'd recommend using ToughPad FZ-M1 and Magnet 3.0 with either the QS or PS.
It is a full Windows PC. Very fast, large screeen, and reliable.
We bought the PS and we use the it every day.
FYI: Do not drop the RC unit! It is VERY expensive to repair.
The PS is a workhorse for us. We run it with Carlson, and it is productive with very little specialized field crew training. I can absolutely recommend it.
On a side note, one of our manual total stations died, and when looking for a replacement, we ended up buying a Leica 1200 robotic series (used) for about 150% of the cost of a comparable new manual station. I, and the crews really like that instrument. Not more than the PS, but not necessarily less.
If Leica didn't seem demand to demand that you drink the green koolaid, it would be easy to consider them.
The PS's tracking is excellent, in my experience. The RC unit, with built in extended Bluetooth and the RC search is a great tool.
As for aiming, it doesn't "look" in the center of the prism, like a person does, and that makes some users nervous. But, in practice, I haven't seen any issues, myself.
dmyhill, so in your experience the ps is comparable with the leica 1200.
> ...I think the distance range of the QS maybe better with spread spectrum over PS using bluetooth.
>
We have never had any issues, even on large jobsites. We generally keep our total station shots within 300', and certainly within 600'. At those distances, we have had no problem with the BT...but longer than that we have little experience. (And none that we will admit to.)
Do you find any differences between the knock off and the Topcon/Sokkia?
I see that the price difference is huge.
Speaking about batteries from China, I agree. You can get the Topcon BT-65Q battery for $75 and they work fine, but make sure you order them in advance because they take over a month to ship and come over on boat.
Amazon has BT66Q batteries for $25. You might be able to find them for a buck or two cheaper but I think the Amazon guarantee is worth the extra dollar. These work just fine in our FC-2500 DC and RC-4.
Dan...as the Leica dealer in the State I'd be happy to come out and let you run the Leica as a comparison. The Leica runs with Carlson well and I think you'll find that prices are very close together.
They all work very good in that range. Beyond 1200ft is where they start to drop radio.
I have not used Leica.
Here is a you side by side comparison with a Topcon PS and the IS and Leica TS15i
Here is Topcon QS vs Leica 1200
The batteries appear identical.
The prisms from China are stainless mounts vs. Sokkia is aluminum
Glass and seals look fine. For that price it is nice to have extras. Also I like to keep same prism constant (-7mm) on backsights/foresights
One more difference is the PS robot has TS Shield - security feature. PS actually has a cell modem and GPS built in that transmits the position of the unit to the cloud so you track the instrument either daily, or if stolen. This TS shield also alerts you when their is a firmware update available. On some models you can actually use this internal modem to download the firmware and apply the update.