Robots

S6 can use either active or passive target. I use mine 99% on construction and very rarely use the active prism. You only need it if around a lot of traffic or, orange barrels, or those damned reflective vests.

If I was in the market right now, the Geomax would be the only option for me. I would use it with a Carlson supervisor tablet. It seems like the weak point of every single system I have used over the past decade has been windows mobile, CE, whatever...

I used an S6 with Controller and then Access. It is a very good system, but the extra expense completely unnecessary when compared to the GeoMax. Again, the problems with the Trimble setup were usually with Windows mobile.

We also experienced several issues with firmware updates causing radios to "break". Trimble would not admit that their new firmware wasn't compatible with the radio from a previous supplier (the one in our robots). I updated four robots at the recommendation of our local dealer, and within two months the internal radio went out in all four.

Trimble's GPS search is nice, especially when paired with a rover at the prism (especially if you are able to VRS). But as fast as it is, it just brings it to on par with the GeoMax/Leica power search ability.

Also I have played with different manufacturers 360 prisms. I can't speak about Topcon, but you get more pointing error with the Trimble prism vs. the Leica. This can be negated, though, if you are careful to point one full prism when taking an important shot.

In all honesty, though, you can be very productive with whichever system you get used to. I think the price vs. abilities helps the GeoMax edge out the competition.

I should say that I haven't used the new Leica Viva or TS robots. From what I hear though the 1200 (Geomax) was superior (or at least just as good). I think the only real changes were in software to help their non user-friendly image. We always got around that by using Carlson data collection.

As much as I like everything Carlson, though, I have to say Trimble's data collection is the best I've ever used.

I am using the Focus 30 primarily for construction staking. I was having some issues keeping locked on a site with lots of traffic but then updated my firmware on the gun and it fixed the problem. This thing is fast! If you read the specs on it vs the S6 it is fractionally slower on a full set of angles but you really don't notice it in the field. I had a Focus 10 (Trimble 5603) before this and loved it but the speed of the 30 in setting up and getting going is probably 50% faster and then the overall speed is way better. I set a lot of points and not waiting so long for the vertical component to update saves me tons of time. I've set 300 grade stakes on a roadway in an 8 hour day with the Focus 30. For the money I don't think it can be beat. I have used the S6 and almost bought one but 20K more for the active prism didn't seem like that was worth the extra coin. As mentioned above the active prism is rarely needed. Make sure you get it from a dealer who knows the instrument well as I purchased mine from a company who actually knows less about the machine then I did. Bad on my part but I made it work.

I think the field crew should be the ones choosing the equipment. 🙂

my $0.02

We use the S6 with Trimble Acces software and an active multi target prism, fast and reliable, a real workhorse.
We wear safety vests all the time, the standard prism locks on our reflective bands.

Chr.

Trimble S...There Is No Substitute

Trimble S and Access controller...there is no substitute.

Trimble S...There Is No Substitute

We have a S8 with Survey Controller and a Leica TS12 with Viva software. At first the Leica was a little goofy. We figured out "where" the buttons are and most of the guys now prefer the Leica over the S8. The Leica is a much faster gun. Faster in finding the 360 prism and tracks much better with leaves when in the woods. On the other hand, the S8 with Survey Controller is better for layout. Hands down for topo and boundary work I would go with the Leica - better gun and lighter case(s) to lug around, but if you have to deal with construction layout and machine control you have to stay yellow unfortunately. :bored:

I'll tip my hat to Trimble equipment.

That said, keep in mind all of the responses, and even your post deal with the field end of the equipment. Once you have data in the collector, you need to do something with it. In my experience, dealers like to sell you on what a piece of equipment can do in the field. Great, it can do this and that. I'm sold.
Uh, now how do I download this thing? Oh, I need specific software? It costs how much more?!

Make sure you look at the big picture...
-Will it fit in the truck where the old equipment used to go?
-Are the batteries interchangeable with any other equipment?
-Should you also invest in nodal prisms?
-Will you need different office software?
-Can the same data collector/software be used for GPS and TS work?
-Customer Service, Customer Service, Customer Service!!
-etc, etc.

In my opinion, if your dealer doesn't prompt you on some of these topics, find someone else.

That's a very good point. I had not been considering the office end as much....that's probably because the majority of my work experience has been field work. Than again, I have been responsible for downloading and processing my own field data as far back as I can remember (besides when I was a rod man).

I actually used to like TGO as well as the old Forsight software from Trimble. I have not used TBC, and I do not like LGO (Except for the Google Earth feature, which is awesome!)

> Uh, now how do I download this thing? Oh, I need specific software? It costs how much more?!
Said another way, my advise is to shop for data collection software, then buy the equipment you need to run it.

Also, after-sales service is a very big issue.

Trimble S...There Is No Substitute

Could you please expand on why you think the S8 with Survey Controller is better than the Leica TS12 for construction layout?