I doubt you are going to get many accurate prices on this forum for equipment. I think a better approach is to call the local Trimble, Leica, Topcon, Spectra Precision, etc. dealers and tell them you want to test their latest and greatest. We can tell you what we all bought 5 years ago that seems to work great to us, but we don't really know if what came out last month is even better and cheaper. But I bet it is. You need to get your hands of this stuff and test it out. Then you need to take photos and post your opinions to this forum!
Kent: my understanding of the manufacturing process (limited) is that they test the instruments, and if it is better than 5", they call it a 3" gun, and if better than 3", they call it a 1" gun. This may be a simplification, but I believe there is some truth to it.
Judging from your past posts, your attention to detail may cause you some heartburn with a robot. From my standpoint, using the proper methods, they are more accurate than a manual TS, eliminating pointing errors and such. However, sometimes it's difficult to check what you are doing if you are working alone. Elevations come to mind.
> I doubt you are going to get many accurate prices on this forum for equipment.
Well, it sounds as if the range is from a low of about $15k to around $30k for the various new robotic instruments that would do the trick.
I've used a few different brands. I still prefer Leica and Trimble. My Trimble S6 is a caddy...you might appreciate the "integrated surveying" feature in Trimble's software, which allows the operator to seamlessly switch between GPS and Robotic mode. It is very handy for the stuff we do. Other than that, I'm not a huge fan of the Trimble software- I guess there are always trade-offs.
A demo Trimble S6 can be purchased for less than 30G's with a controller. If speed is something you're worried about, it's about twice as fast as my Sokkia SRX (no more accurate though).
Good Luck.
> I've used a few different brands. I still prefer Leica and Trimble.
Yes, Trimble, Leica, and Focus are the manufacturers I'm considering.
> My Trimble S6 is a caddy...you might appreciate the "integrated surveying" feature in Trimble's software, which allows the operator to seamlessly switch between GPS and Robotic mode. It is very handy for the stuff we do. Other than that, I'm not a huge fan of the Trimble software- I guess there are always trade-offs.
I'm actually hoping not to use Trimble software for more than data download and upload. Star*Net still seems to be a highly viable product for adjusting survey measurements, which in my practice means GPS and conventional measurements, simultaneously.
> A demo Trimble S6 can be purchased for less than 30G's with a controller. If speed is something you're worried about, it's about twice as fast as my Sokkia SRX (no more accurate though).
I understand that the S3 has many of the advantages of the S6, i.e. compact and cableless, speed, and low power consumption, but lacks an active prism. I'm not sure how much of a problem that will be in a cluttered environment.
Get the one with the active prism. You'll thank me later 🙂
+1
Demo a Leica 1203+ R1000 with the Viva CS15 Datacollector. It is wireless at the prism. demo them all andvreport your findings.
I like the 5600 series
I use a 5603 run with Trimble Survey Controller software on a TSC2. It would be a great low cost solution. StarNet's data converter for the TSC works great, except for the occasional hiccup with resection data.
Go Trimble or go home!
Trimble vx. I cant say any more as it's just too awesome for words.
He'll from now on be known as Kent McCentimeter.;-)
late model Geodimeter?
Have you considered a late model Geodimeter Bergstrand 650?
Not a lot of them around for sale, but they do work with the Trimble data collectors.
Some of the features that make modern Trimble robots so great are actually the Bergstrand features in camo!
If you could find one for sale I bet the price would be right and the equipment is definitely top notch.
Good luck.
late model Geodimeter?
How old is that, about 15 years?
late model Geodimeter?
15 years old sounds about right.
Kent didn't say he wouldn't buy an older robotic total station, at least upon my reading.
He did say it should be light though, at around 17 lbs., light they aren't.
I like the 5600 series
> I use a 5603 run with Trimble Survey Controller software on a TSC2. It would be a great low cost solution. StarNet's data converter for the TSC works great, except for the occasional hiccup with resection data.
I gather that the Trimble download software can output the measurement file in several forms, including good old SDR format, which, if true, would be a slick way to bring it into Star*Net since I know that the Star*SDR conversion is free of surprises on resections.
I may be wrong, but I think I pretty much have to have a DC with an actual keyboard, which the TSC2 does. The touchscreens just don't have "service life" and "ease of use" written all over them. I'll have to see how visible the color display is in bright Texas sun, but that may well be a bit of a problem.
If you want to keep using Star Net then you may want to look at MicroSurvey. They now own and market Star Net, and they also have a full suite of office software, field software and DC hardware.
> If you want to keep using Star Net then you may want to look at MicroSurvey. They now own and market Star Net, and they also have a full suite of office software, field software and DC hardware.
I'm going to try to be very careful not to buy any of the "upgrades" to Star*Net that MicroSurvey have advertised. The great thing about Star*Net is that it just works 100% of the time, never crashes and hasn't been the subject of unnecessary tinkering on the programming end. I don't get the idea that the folks at MicroSurvey have understood that.
KENT new or 2 H?
Leica 1100 would do job, So too 1200 series.
Check Leica reps for trade ins as latest model now out, but probably with too many bells and whistles,
RADU
I like the 5600 series
> I'll have to see how visible the color display is in bright Texas sun, but that may well be a bit of a problem.
Polarized eyewear make any screen hard to see in the sun regardless of manufacturer. Be sure to test whichever you choose sans sunglasses.
