I agree with that. Heavy traffic sucks big time when it comes to keeping fix. I had to learn real quick to keep eye on the distances i was recording. I once was breaking down a section and this road worker who was catching the eye of my robot on purpose with his reflective vest. at a 1/8 mile he was half way between the instrument and I. every time i approached he walked near line of sight. after about five times of this i had to approach him. and the guy said he knew it. what a prick...
What an Ass! The first robot I used in the field was a Topcon 800/8000 Series. I can certainly remember the battles that I fought when it came to the instrument tracking other reflective surfaces. One in particular was 500+ shots of a parked van's tail light. They are great robots but you have to be careful not to become complacent. But like anything in Land Surveying you have to pay attention to what you are doing.
I do not have much experience with Leica robotic total stations but Trimble (actually Geodimeter originally) developed a system that overcomes this shortfall. When the Geodimeter was introduced it had a series of diodes (active target) around the prism that insured the instrument would only track the powered prism. The S6 took that one step further with Target ID. Not only will the S6 not track anything but an active target, it will only track the designated active target. This allows for multiple prisms and robots to work in the same vicinity with out any confusion.
While this doesn't eliminate all issues it does confront one of the more frustrating issues facing robotic instruments.
I try real hard to remain non-biased on here but the only way to address this particular tracking subject is head on.
Note: The last Topcon robot that I have extensive experience with is the 900/9000/IS series.
1. I have Trimble Survey Controller, but the "Autolock" setting is rather confusing. If you're using full robotics, the "Autolock" setting has to be set to "OFF".
2. There are ways to double angles. I use "Measure Rounds" often for control and there are multiple settings. Yes, you definitely can use it for control (with excellent results).
3. Just like almost any piece of equipment, there is a learning curve. I had to learn how to move when using the robot. You learn how, when, and where to setup. It's like a dance, you may be clunky at first, but eventually things start to flow.
Search online for a User Guide. Spend some time with it. It's like a woman; you can't get to know her on the first date.
Not sure what other "tools" you're using at your job. I'm assuming GPS. But trust me, you're missing out on a lot of potential by having the robot sit in the closet.
"3. Just like almost any piece of equipment, there is a learning curve. I had to learn how to move when using the robot. You learn how, when, and where to setup. It's like a dance, you may be clunky at first, but eventually things start to flow.
Search online for a User Guide. Spend some time with it. It's like a woman; you can't get to know her on the first date.
"
I like the way you put that Mr. Locked...
I remember my first robot...a Geodimeter 600....I thought it was a slow royal pain at first to get it all set up and running...and then everytime I was impressed at how fast it was ONCE it was set up.
"It's like a woman...you can't get to know her on the first date..."
I will be using that line in a training I am giving later this week!
I appreciate all you who tried to be helpful. Yes I am clueless about Robotic Surveying b/c no one at my company knows how to use this equipment. It is outdated and has been sitting in the closet for almost 8 years.
The bosses aren't going to pay anyone to do any refresher courses, this is just me trying to learn it on my own. I haven't seen the manuals and assume they are lost. I will search online for them, and hopefully can learn more from them.
I asked the questions here because so much of this is dealing with our specific setup. (The TDS Ranger with the Trimble DR200+) and you my colleagues have been so helpful in the past.
We work in Central Virginia mostly, with lots of hills and trees, for this reason, the robot was put in the closet in the first place. I have done several large waterline topo projects and it seems to work very well for this purpose. I just have a few kinks to work out.