Robots

Try Spectra Precision! Best bang for the buck! I also rented a SRX for a few days about 5 years ago, SP runs circles around it in my opinion.

I have owned and operated a Sokkia SRX3 robot since end of 2007. It has been a reliable, productive instrument for me. I paid something like $25K for it, which is probably the most expensive piece of equipment I've ever purchased. But, it's proved its worth to me.

I think your question is more along the lines of which brand robot provides best capabilities than it is whether a robot is a good investment vs. conventional total station. As you have experience with robots already, I think you probably know the answer to the latter question.

I'm curious about T-Ray's post, why he thinks the Spectra robot would run circles around the SRX. What specific capabilities does the Spectra robot have that the Sokkia doesn't? I have almost NO experience with other robots, so can't offer much side by side insight.

I did watch someone using a Leica robot. I'd say it looked like the Leica was a bit faster at turning, and had a different method by which it finds the prism, without need for remote controller, if I remember correctly.

If you have any specific questions about the SRX3, I'd be glad to help you.

Try the new PS Topcon robot. It is heads and should better than the old model you were using.

Just compared the specs of a Spectra Precision Focus 30 with a Sokkia SX Series Robotic Total Station. They are comparable in terms of motor speed. The Spectra Precision unit is specified to turn angles at 90 degrees per second, while the Sokkia turns angles at 85 degrees per second.

That said, I'd say there tends to be a fair amount of "communication time" involved in every shot, i.e. the time spent between pressing the button to perform an RC search, and the moment the robot motors begin to turn. And then after the motors have finished their turning, again, an amount of time until you can take a shot. And then after you press the button to take a shot another period of time ensues.

There are also times when the communication seems to take unusually long. Usually, I just have to wait it out, and it takes quite a while, but thankfully this doesn't seem to be too often....

How on earth can you call it a robot if it can't even get out of the way?

I'm waiting until robots . . . are "real", robots.

I'm tired of these things we call "robots", that weigh a ton, use tripods that weigh a ton, have to be "carefully", put to bed at the end of a day and then to top it all off . . . plugged in to recharge.

I want a robot that will actually have some miniscule assemblance(sp) of "Robbie".

I want a "robot", that not only records angles and distances, but also one who(?), will carry my %$$#@%$% hammers, lathes, pins and caps . . . let alone be able to heat my sandwich and play "dixie", when I need a little musical interlude.

Let "Robbie", carry his own %$#%^#$%&$&% tripod and he can carry his own umbrella to boot.

I want a "real", robot.

Where's my hover board ?

> How on earth can you call it a robot if it can't even get out of the way?
>
> I'm waiting until robots . . . are "real", robots.
>
> I'm tired of these things we call "robots", that weigh a ton, use tripods that weigh a ton, have to be "carefully", put to bed at the end of a day and then to top it all off . . . plugged in to recharge.
>
> I want a robot that will actually have some miniscule assemblance(sp) of "Robbie".
>
> I want a "robot", that not only records angles and distances, but also one who(?), will carry my %$$#@%$% hammers, lathes, pins and caps . . . let alone be able to heat my sandwich and play "dixie", when I need a little musical interlude.
>
> Let "Robbie", carry his own %$#%^#$%&$&% tripod and he can carry his own umbrella to boot.
>
> I want a "real", robot.

Sure... you say that now, but what happens when they become self aware and decide to terminate the entire human civilization because human error might jeopardize a survey? Kind of sounds like a movie or two that I have seen...

Haha we need a "Like" button

:good:

It should also do some old tricks.
Mount a speaker on it.

:'(

I run an S-6 and I've not heard anybody definitively say that that isn't the end-all, be-all of robots. That thing is the cats meow. The magnetic drive gets rid of stripped servos possible in other models. The Sure Lock technology is amazing. All of us are familiar with looking through the eyepiece and with all the motion screws locked down, one tiny little bump moves the crosshairs to a new location. With the S-6, you can look through the eyepiece, tap the gun, watch the crosshairs jump to a new spot and then magically go right back, and I mean exactly back to the previous position. Unsurpassed accuracy and speed. With the Multitrack target, locking onto car mirrors and reflective vests is a thing of the past also.

I completely agree about the S-6.

No intent to hijack. Just curious.

Is the Trimble MultiTrack Target compatible with the Spectra Precision Focus 30? Can it be managed with Survey Pro?

Is there anyone out there that has tried this?

JA, PLS SoCal

Yep, the S-6 is top of the line and mine has been a workhorse. I wouldn't get one without the multitrack option either. The only drawback is that Trimble doesn't play nice with Carlson and since I hate what Trimble has done to Survey Pro 5+, it would be nice to make the switch to Carlson in the field.

Wes

Hopefully someone's insurance is going to cover all or part of this purchase. I think you should go for the best Robot you can find be it Leica, Trimble, Topcon or Sokkia. The insurance can also cover replacement of any accessories that are not comparable with the new gun. Even if you have to pay some out of pocket you should be able to get a new top of the line robot buy writing a check for less than $10,000.

My preference would probably be a Leica with a Carlson data collector. Get one where the dealer will give you support.

Agreed, I've been using an S6 with a TSC2 with Survey Pro, and the Trimble CU in the case for those times when running remote isn't really required.

MAJOR workhorse, I've been keeping up with running enough data for 4 design/project management teams (so far), and trying to keep the division informed about right of way and property issues they may impact/encounter in their projects.

I too have had trouble with Survey Pro 5.X as an "upgrade", it slowed down the time to store, and re-shoot by about a factor of 4 or 5!! "FAST" topo, not so much anymore.. :excruciating:

I suspect this version is a "down ported" version of the first run of Survey Pro for the TSC3. Thereby being slower on the "old" TSC2 (just guessing).

Not to mention Spectra Precision Survey Office and it's "learning curve" for total station data reduction, editing, or for that matter displaying or printing out a simple coordinate list.

I'd say buy the gun that best fits your workload, ours is quite varied so that's why the S6. If I weren't doing as much remote work, reflectorless, and simple scanning... I'd have to think about those features that were not used much.

Shop wise and make the most of that investment... 🙂

Thanks for everybody's opinion. I decided to go ahead and purchase the Sokkia SX. I've used it for several days now and I am really impressed with it. BTW, I'm using a Carlson Surveyor Plus with it.

Robots... Hijack

> Where's my hover board ?

Where is my jet pack?

http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=r1SCu9yiBlo&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3Dr1SCu9yiBlo