Robotic Total Station

What RC unit are you using? We have 4 (2-SX, 1-DX, 1-SRX) Sokkia robots, 3 have PR5's, 1 has a PR3. The older PR has given us some issues but the guns have been flawless as have the PR5's.

We also have a Focus30 robot, a Leica MS60 and a Trimble 5600. The Leica does track the best, Sokkia a close second but the PR is the best search method, Leica Power Search is 2nd. The Focus has "GeoLock" that uses the GPS in the Ranger3. This works well on open sites that aren't super steep as it doesn't do well with vertical differences between rod & gun. The 5600 is active lock only unlike he newer S guns with their active/passive systems.
Our Sokkia dealer is also our Leica dealer and they are great to us so that keeps us going back.

I've had my GeoMax Zoom80 for about 15 months now, and it's been a workhorse since Day 1. It has a few quirks -- pretty much the same ones my Leica TCRA 1102plus has -- but it hasn't required any shop visits. I just set it up and go.

Jim Frame, post: 421437, member: 10 wrote: I've had my GeoMax Zoom80 for about 15 months now, and it's been a workhorse since Day 1. It has a few quirks -- pretty much the same ones my Leica TCRA 1102plus has -- but it hasn't required any shop visits. I just set it up and go.

That would be a TS12, no? Zoom90 a TS16.
What software are you running it with?

Luke J. Crawford, post: 421440, member: 11382 wrote: What software are you running it with?

Carlson SurvCE v5.0 on a Carlson Surveyor+ with a Parani SD1000 to the BT handle.

Jim Frame, post: 421442, member: 10 wrote: Carlson SurvCE v5.0 on a Carlson Surveyor+ with a Parani SD1000 to the BT handle.

Surveyor+ doesn't have long range BT?

Luke J. Crawford, post: 421443, member: 11382 wrote: Surveyor+ doesn't have long range BT?

I found the native BT range to be too limited to be useful. I don't recall exactly how far I got with it, but I think it was on the order of 100 feet. With the Parani and a 5 dbi antenna I get all the range I need.

I've gone 1,200'+ with the Surveyor2 to the Sokkia SX & DX., was pretty impressed with the range. Seems the BT is less prone to getting "walked on" than the 2.4ghz of the Spectra/Trimble instruments.

Never have connection problems with trimble S6 and tsc3. Unless I forget an antenna.

Jon Collins, post: 421456, member: 11135 wrote: Never have connection problems with trimble S6 and tsc3. Unless I forget an antenna.

In the NYC metro area the robotic range is 250'-300' because of all the radio traffic. Outside of there we get an easy 900'-1200'.

Luke J. Crawford, post: 421454, member: 11382 wrote: I've gone 1,200'+ with the Surveyor2

I think -- but do not know -- that one of the reasons the Surveyor2 has a plastic case is to allow the signal from the internal BT antenna to propagate effectively. The magnesium case of the Surveyor+ seems to attenuate that signal rather badly.

Jon Collins, post: 421456, member: 11135 wrote: Never have connection problems with trimble S6 and tsc3. Unless I forget an antenna.

A nail from the toolbox in the back of the truck is an effective, if crude, substitute - DAMHIK

Luke J. Crawford, post: 421460, member: 11382 wrote: In the NYC metro area the robotic range is 250'-300' because of all the radio traffic. Outside of there we get an easy 900'-1200'.

Really?

Must be just Manhattan. If I'm in the Bronx my radio does just fine at any distance. Easily shot over 1000 feet.

This Sokkia problem is one we've seen several times, so definitely not unheard-of. We've taken some in on trade against Zoom80s and Zoom90s with all customers ending up happy. BTW: the Zoom80 was identical to the TPS1200+ and the Zoom90 is identical to the TS15. And no, the Surveyor+ has no LRBT unless you add a Parani to it; we've done a lot of these also, with good success but the Surveyor2 with its native class 1 BT and much larger screen is a big upgrade.

get a trimble robot.

Rich., post: 421482, member: 10450 wrote: Really?

Must be just Manhattan. If I'm in the Bronx my radio does just fine at any distance. Easily shot over 1000 feet.

We often have issues with the Focus and 5600 regarding this. Manhattan is the biggest issue, areas in BK as well. Fortunately distances for shooting are usually shorter than rural areas.

Fu3l3r, post: 421509, member: 11864 wrote: get a trimble robot.

Rod Taylor, post: 421500, member: 6307 wrote: This Sokkia problem is one we've seen several times, so definitely not unheard-of. We've taken some in on trade against Zoom80s and Zoom90s with all customers ending up happy. BTW: the Zoom80 was identical to the TPS1200+ and the Zoom90 is identical to the TS15. And no, the Surveyor+ has no LRBT unless you add a Parani to it; we've done a lot of these also, with good success but the Surveyor2 with its native class 1 BT and much larger screen is a big upgrade.

We would've likely bought a Carlson CR or a Zoom if our Leica/Sokkia dealer could service. Most of us run CE, a few prefer SurvPro so our instruments needs to be compatible with both.

Luke J. Crawford, post: 421516, member: 11382 wrote: We often have issues with the Focus and 5600 regarding this. Manhattan is the biggest issue, areas in BK as well. Fortunately distances for shooting are usually shorter than rural areas.

Ha. You guys prolly consider lower eastern westchester 'rural' [emoji23] [emoji23] [emoji23]

Rich., post: 421518, member: 10450 wrote: Ha. You guys prolly consider lower eastern westchester 'rural' [emoji23] [emoji23] [emoji23]

I certainly don't personally but compared to much of our work it is. If it were solely my choice I'd work where I couldn't hear a car let alone see one all day. Unfortunately, economics don't always allow for my "likes" and at the end of the day, a bad day surveying is still better than a day of any other career, imo.

I also have used the Sokkia SX series robot and had the same issues with communications. After some real frustration with the Sokkia, When decided to make a purchase I bought the Carlson CR2 Robot (same as the Zoom 90) with the Mesa2 tablet with Carlson SurvPC. I couldn't be happier, that thing is a workhorse. I get about 1200' range, and it has one of best tracking/search functions in the industry.