I was looking at different 360 degree prisms and noticed that each manufacturer has a different prism height. Topcon - 77mm, Zeiss/Trimble - 100 mm, Leica - 86 mm, Spectra Precision - 135mm. Does anyone know why this is? Do some robotic total station track some prisms better than other because of this? I have an old Robotic Topcon AP-L1 total station and it does seem to be picky about the prisms I use. I seems to track smaller prisms better than larger ones.
The Bow Tie Surveyor
> Does anyone know why this is?
In the case of Leica, the height is set to that the vertical center identified by the gun is the same as that of a standard Leica circular prism, which is the same as that of a Leica mini-prism. (Actually, the mini-prism is 1 mm shorter, but close enough for most work.) So with a Leica robot, it doesn't matter which Leica prism you use, the vertical offset will be the same. I suspect the other manufacturers observe the same convention.
I use a Leica 360 and Leica circular prisms with my S6. I have a pole with a Leica adapter which is graduated for Leica prisms. It works very well.
I put -34.4PCmm into the S6 for the circular prism. The Leica 360 has 23.1mm printed on it so I enter -11.3mm into the S6 (subtract 34.4 from the published PC).
It works great.
> I use a Leica 360 and Leica circular prisms with my S6.
The S6 doesn't require a tracking diode, i.e. it'll track a regular prism?
Nice use of the leica constant. The s6 will track anything that is reflective 😉 With the target id enabled the s6 will only lock onto the correct target and you don't need to worry about if you are shooting off of a reflective surface such as a street sign or car reflector. But the leica prisms also work great, you just have to be more careful about shooting the wrong target.
> > I use a Leica 360 and Leica circular prisms with my S6.
>
> The S6 doesn't require a tracking diode, i.e. it'll track a regular prism?
S series instruments do not require a tracking diode. You use them in passive mode or in active mode. For about 2k you can purchase an MT1000. I'm wondering if I can set up the 5600 active prism to work in active mode with my S8, has anybody tried this?
> > I use a Leica 360 and Leica circular prisms with my S6.
>
> The S6 doesn't require a tracking diode, i.e. it'll track a regular prism?
Yes it will track any standard prism. Just have to set up a custom passive target. I used a triple prism in foggy conditions while shoot across the Ohio river, 2700'.
> > > I use a Leica 360 and Leica circular prisms with my S6.
> >
> > The S6 doesn't require a tracking diode, i.e. it'll track a regular prism?
>
> S series instruments do not require a tracking diode. You use them in passive mode or in active mode. For about 2k you can purchase an MT1000. I'm wondering if I can set up the 5600 active prism to work in active mode with my S8, has anybody tried this?
>
>
Let me know if you find out. With the S6 or S8 the MT1000 can be set to semi active in the data collector, recommended when tightening up on elevations.
Yes the S6 will track any prism.
I have a infrared prism identifier that I haven't tried to use yet. Caltrans says to put it on the backsight so when you go by the backsight it doesn't latch onto the backsight and stop tracking the pole.