robotics

I think others can vouch for the Trimble S6.
Got to watch out for any robot that likes to track things. i.e. cars going by, stop signs, reflective stripes on your vest, etc.
They say the smart targets eliminate or reduce that stuff but I/we didn't have one of those.

The Trimble S6 is the gold standard, IMHO. But if you don't want to shell out for an S6 the S3 is also a very good instrument. Either way there are some options - camera is optional on the S6; smart tracking (using the multi-track target) is an option on the S3. Either way I'd get the multi-track target, especially if you work along roadways - any passive tracking robot will pick up taillights, vests, signs, etc., and as far as I know they're all passive these days. My preference for data collector (between it, the tablet, and the TCU) is the TSC3, and make sure you get a good tripod with it (no matter what robot you end up purchasing); Trimble recommends the Crain Tri-Max.

I bought my second Trimble 5600 about 8 yrs ago (first one went with my sold business 11 yrs ago). If it pukes out, I'll look for another one. Before that I had a Geodimeter 4600, but when Trimble bought out Geodimeter things changed. I just kept in bed with the girl I brought to the dance.

Still, awesome gun. I bet your local dealer has one still on the shelf. They try and sell you the S6, but the 5600 is basically indestructible, and about $15K less money.

I've heard good things about the Leica stuff, but they are a bit pricey IMVHO. Topcon likes to read stop signs, vests, red eyes, even a car going by. I hear they fixed that problem, but did they?? Sokia is just Topcon, and there are other knock off brands that may work.

I am not a Trimble sales person, but it is my equipment of choice. No regrets so far, aside from they keep trying to "upgrade" TGO all the while mine works fine.

edit: Oh yea, think about service. No matter what you buy, you'll need it serviced. Prompt, efficient, and effective.

Good luck. I like these kinds of stories. An optimistic surveyor seeking more..... gotta love it.

S6 with multi-track here. I really can recommend the multi-track target. It's made my day so much more productive and less stressful. The last thing you need whilst looking at coding, map etc; on a complex topo is having to drag the instrument back.
I'e just done 3 days with the instrument looking through traffic nearly all the time.
You need to keep an eye on when it is measuring distance and when it records the observation. It follows you in the bushes, past obstructions, everywhere!
Not sure what the difference between an S3 with active target and the S6 is? I thought that was the difference but you can get a version of S3 with active target apparently. There are different angular accuracies and EDM specs. Mine is the DR plus and I like it. I do a lot of DR work.

None of the other manufacturers have an equivalent system to the multitrack. I have used Leica robotic and was not happy with it, although the new software is excellent.
Only downside of the Trimble is that the company is quite arrogant in my opinion. It will not play with any other hardware, it has been "locked out".
I have used 5600's but they have always done my head right in. The battery life is very poor, and although I'm sure it was great when it first came out, the tracking doesn't compare to the S6. Fair play to anyone that's still keeping them going, maybe the ones I used just weren't maintained well.

I have used the Leica 1200 robot with Carlson SurvCE extensively and feel like its hard to beat. The power search option is a necessity. It runs all day on two small lithium ion batteries and the passive tracking is rock solid.

Active tracking is a must for us.

We have to wear reflective safety gear - and the Trimble passive tracking tries really really hard to track our vests and overalls.

When the S3 was first introduced active tracking was not available, they added it as an option a year or two later. There are some other key differences in the hardware and software; the S3 doesn't have the Sure Point (Trimble buzzwords) functionality, which compensates the angles and pointing when the instrument level changes (due to settling, etc.)

Topcon for me is the way to go . We have two a 9000 and recently bought DS 200 accurate and reliable.

I met with the Lecia dealer a week ago and just got out of a meeting with a Trimble dealer. We will go with one of these two because of service. Lecia entry level robotic is a TS 12 then you up step up to TS 15. Trimbles entry level is the S3 and then you step up to the S6. They each have more models but these are the ones in our price range.

Lecia has much better passive tracking but Trimble has Active track as an add-on which allows it to only shoot the prism. You can install a GPS on top of the active Trimble target. I seem to remember you can install a GPS on top of the Lecia instrument.

Renting both it appears the Lecia can acquire lock much quicker and won't lose lock as easy. The Trimble has a GPS in the data collector to get in the ball park but if under trees or near buildings it won't work very well.

In an upgraded model the trimble camera feature allows you to view a picture on the data collector of what the gun is pointing at. If you take pictures of the same thing from different spots you can measure features in the picture once back at the office.

Trimble is more expensive but allows money for a trade in of any type of survey instrument working or not. If it happens to be a Lecia you get an extra $1,000. I am thinking buy a non working Lecia gun for $100 and trade it in for $1,000, a $900 savings.

If everything is equal the Lecia wins but the Trimble has more bells and whistles for a cost.

The TS12/CS10 sometimes doesn't always come with the full Viva software. Worth bearing in mind, there is a LT and LT extended version of the software with missing features.

The TS15 has the camera same as the S6 VISION. I'm not sure if they have the option for photogrammetry in the software afterwards though, which Trimble Business Center does.

Topcon PS (Sokkia) with RC5 on pole, FC2500 running Carlson SurvCE 3.0x

It works well, the RC5 does what it says it will do. I get frustrated at times, but some of that is Carlson. Tracks very well, and I cannot imagine not having the RC5 (basically an active target).

I would highly suggest calling a dealer for each of the major brands you are interested in and request that they give an actual demo.

When we were looking to purchase a new total station, I called several local surveyors and asked if they wanted to attend a total station demo.

I had a Spectra Precision, Leica, and Topcon dealer drive to my location and demonstrate setup/stakeout/traverse/robotic/reflectorless, ect.

I then requested a quote from each of them and made a decision based first upon my impressions from the demo, second the support, and third the price.

The Spectra Precision was the clear winner at that time.

Did my homework and have been following various threads on robotics here for the last couple years. Finally got the go ahead from the bean counters to purchase our first robot. It will be a 2" Trimble S6 and a TSC3 w/ 2.4 GHz radio running Survey Pro IS.

I loved the S6 but for the money the SP Focus 30 is the way to go. It shouldn't be long before they offer active track for the Focus 30. Focus 30 was literally $15k less.

I'd agree with RPG, if you are looking at Trimble, the Focus 30 is a great alternative with many of the technologies integrated at a much, much, did I mention much lower price. You will not see active tracking with the Focus 30, more than likely, ever. Trimble wouldn't give away their competitive advantage like that...their dealers would whine too much.

I will agree that active tracking is "better" than passive tracking in most conditions. I was a huge fan of the Trimble 5600 series, probably one of the best instruments ever made. Problem is we were comparing it in a time of really crappy tracking technology like the Topcon 800 series, which sucked. Passive tracking has come a long, long way. Using integrated ATR cameras there is virtually little to no difference in the tracking alone. You don't have a $2k+, 5 lb prism to carry either. One advantage Trimble has over the competition is how fast it spins. This plays a major part in the tracking because obviously if it can't keep up with the prism it can't track. Listen, every dealer knows every trick to making what they sell look indestructible. Here's my opinion on the best way to purchase an instrument...

1. Make sure they have an authorized repair facility.
2. Make sure there is someone on staff that will support not only the instrument, but the software.
3. Make sure training is included.
4. Get the dealer to give you a demo, but ask them to leave the instrument for 2-3 days and use it in your own environment. You don't know the tricks!

Good luck with your purchase!

The one thing I do like with the Leica's is the removable radio module. The price is right and the convenience to swap from one controller to another or remove it when only using GNSS is a good feature. I remember dropping and breaking a TSC2 with radio a few years ago. It was an expensive repair as well as a bit of a problem, as the other controllers were GPS only. Having said that, Trimble do have reliable robots that are easy to use and reliable.

> Still, awesome gun. I bet your local dealer has one still on the shelf. They try and sell you the S6, but the 5600 is basically indestructible, and about $15K less money.
Trimble is no longer manufacturing parts for the 5600. As time goes by it will become more and more difficult to get these things serviced. That's too bad because I agree with you, it is a fine instrument. The active traking diode is a plus, not a minus IMO. My only complaint is it's appetite for electrical power.

> looking to purchase a robotic instrument. Looking for input on brands and likes/dislikes.
The Leica TS15 is a very nice unit. One of the things I like about Leica - all Leica products - is the way it all fits in the case. Very compact. That may seem trivial but it's little things like that which will improve your day to day work flow for the life of the unit.

The S6 is another fine unit which I've had experience with.

Between those 2, and any others you may consider, first choose your data collection software, then buy the gun that runs that dc best. I say try them out and see which works for you. Your final selection should have as much to do with the data collection software, your field to finish work flow, and after sales service as it does with the robotic hardware itself.

For what it's worth, Trimble Access runs the S6 a lot better than Survey Pro does...