Robot total stations that last 10+ years

I've had my S6 for about 10 years, gets used about every day. Still going strong, actually still using the original 4 batteries.

eddycreek, post: 401192, member: 501 wrote: I've had my S6 for about 10 years, gets used about every day. Still going strong, actually still using the original 4 batteries.

That's good going on the batteries. I had to recell mine about 2 years ago. They are Ni-Cd.

18 years, 9 months (with only modifications from radios to long range BT and data collector upgrade).

Leica TCA 1100 (dark army green) (WILD color).

Totalsurv, post: 401160, member: 8202 wrote: My current Topcon robotic total station is 10 years old and works as well as the day I bought it. While it was not the best model at the time it has been a workhorse.

I think when buying my next robotic I would be looking for it to last about the same. While ideally I would like to upgrade every 5 years or so, the economy sometimes does not allow.

Are the other brands like Leica, Trimble, Sokkia etc. lasting this amount of time?

My Leica 1105 was manufactured in 1997, was a daily driver and worked just as well the day I traded it in a year ago as it did the day it was new. My 1203 was manufactured in 2007 and is still going strong.

In general I think it's probably like most things, with proper respect, care and maintenance all of them will be money makers for a long time.

Brad Ott, post: 401195, member: 197 wrote: 18 years, 9 months (with only modifications from radios to long range BT and data collector upgrade).

Leica TCA 1100 (dark army green) (WILD color).

Wow we may have a winner

Cameron Watson PLS, post: 401201, member: 11407 wrote:

In general I think it's probably like most things, with proper respect, care and maintenance all of them will be money makers for a long time.

Definitely. I think when you are the one who writes the cheque to pay for it makes a big difference also.

I'm told that some of the lower priced (made in china) units have epoxied, rather that soldered, connections. That's a big part of what keeps their cost low. How durable that will be in the long term is debatable.

Leica will last a decade. If longevity is a primary concern I would think that getting the latest offering is important to avoid product phase out.

Brad Ott, post: 401195, member: 197 wrote: 18 years, 9 months (with only modifications from radios to long range BT and data collector upgrade).

Leica TCA 1100 (dark army green) (WILD color).

I have same that same instrument purchased in 1998 also, I think maybe May? While it is my daily driver, it has had very little use because I mostly use the GNSS gear, in fact I am on my 3rd GNSS system since 1998, Leica System 300, System 500 and currently System 1200 that is nine years old.

SGF

We've had our VX for about 9 years and I can't sing it's praises enough. I fully expect it to go another 10 years.

My Geodimeter Bergrstrand came out in 1997 so it will be 20 next year. I use it as a back up to my S6 these days, but it's still a workhorse!

Andy J, post: 401282, member: 44 wrote: My Geodimeter Bergrstrand came out in 1997 so it will be 20 next year. I use it as a back up to my S6 these days, but it's still a workhorse!

I think that your Geodimeter is dark army green too, right?

I worry about the internal batteries if I ever put mine on the shelf into "back-up" mode.

I have one of the first Leica 1200 series that still works fine after all of this time. Granted it is not the daily driver, it was replaced by an MS50 about 2 years ago. A friend still uses my old 1103 that I purchased in 1999.

Well, they aren't robotic, but if you want longevity in an instrument and never have to recharge the batteries, there are two options on ebay right now ...
http://www.ebay.com/itm/351910140342
Grant & Crosman solar compass 1858

or with a little more precision ...
http://www.ebay.com/itm/351917487640
1913 Gurley solar transit

I personally would rather pay less for a machine that lasts 5 years than 3 times as much for a machine that lasts 15 years.

It's like cell phones, I wouldn't want to have a phone from 15 years ago even if it was made of steel back then.

Technology is ever evolving and getting better. I want to get a new machine every 5 years anyway

Brad Ott, post: 401283, member: 197 wrote: I think that your Geodimeter is dark army green too, right?

I worry about the internal batteries if I ever put mine on the shelf into "back-up" mode.

no, it's Orange. And built like a tank!

Rich., post: 401335, member: 10450 wrote: I personally would rather pay less for a machine that lasts 5 years than 3 times as much for a machine that lasts 15 years.

I received a quote today from my Leica dealer. He's offering a 19.5k trade-in for my tca1103 and rx1250x.

Probably some "used car" type shuffling of dollars; but that's a lot of money for 10 year old gear. A quick google search shows a base and rover (I just have a RTN rover) going for $8,300 and the robot for $7,300. Four grand will by a lot of Christmas presents.

Kicking out $$,$$$+ every 5 years isn't easy; especially if it was 5 years ago...

eddycreek, post: 401192, member: 501 wrote: I've had my S6 for about 10 years, gets used about every day. Still going strong, actually still using the original 4 batteries.

Same here, S6 10 years old, still on the original batteries. We use it a lot on deformation surveys.

I've had my 8003 Topcon for 12 years now. I don't go in the field everyday, but it's been right as rain every time I've needed it. I've re-celled the batteries on both the radios and the instrument a few times, but that comes w/the territory. I'd upgrade if I were in the field everyday, but for now, the ol' 8003 is holding it's own.