Got a used Robot the other day with Survey Pro on a Nomad. Have exactly nil experience with the Spectra Focus 10 Robot, but very confident w/ Survey Pro. Does anyone have any general tips for me on the robots use? I guess I need to know how to measure features reflectorless, using it conventional if needed, can I measure to non-rmt targets? I can set the thing up, it tracks me with the power-stick rod and collector and all that's good for me. Just looking for some hints or someone that's used it a lot that could give me some good hints/suggestions on what they've found out over the years. There isn't a whole lot in the manual that's helped me out on these few questions.
I guess I need to know how to measure features reflectorless? While in the "remote control screen or in the initial side shot screen press the "Prism" button and change it to reflectorless there.
using it conventional if needed: Just run it from the rod and aim from behind the gun. This instrument doesn't come with a CU. You can also plug the Nomad into the battery cradle and run it that way. Just make sure you plug into the same side of the cradle that you have the power cable plugged into.
can I measure to non-rmt targets? Yes. It will not track a traditional prism but it will get a return with the EDM. Just sight the target as you would typically. If it tries to search just press the stop button on the collector in the remote screen.
Hope this helps
> Got a used Robot the other day with Survey Pro on a Nomad. Have exactly nil experience with the Spectra Focus 10 Robot, but very confident w/ Survey Pro. Does anyone have any general tips for me on the robots use? I guess I need to know how to measure features reflectorless, using it conventional if needed, can I measure to non-rmt targets? I can set the thing up, it tracks me with the power-stick rod and collector and all that's good for me. Just looking for some hints or someone that's used it a lot that could give me some good hints/suggestions on what they've found out over the years. There isn't a whole lot in the manual that's helped me out on these few questions.
I beleive the instrument can be switched to reflectorless easily by taping the EDM setting at the bottom of the Sideshot display on the DC. If I remember correctly, when you tap that EDM setting box, you get several options like "Tracking, Standard, and Reflectorless (DR?)" Once you're there, just point it at something, and you should see the distance update live on the display.
You can measure to any prism in robotic mode, but you have to point it manually, of course. Make sure you use a zero offset prism. Just point and tap "Sideshot".
It's been a while since I used one, but it's a very nice gun, and all those Geodimeter600/Trimble5600/Focus10 instruments are the best tracking guns I've ever used.
The new S/V series work extremely well when used with an active target w/target ID. This also allows you to have multiple instruments with designated prisms on the jobsite. Your robot will only track the active target assigned to it.
Thanks guys. That helps a lot. I wanted to more or less verify what I was learning about it by my self. I just wondered why the thing comes with a face plate and no way to shoot prismless from that.
When I hook up the dc to the battery housing, on the same side as the battery, I get some odd error beeps on the gun. If I switch it to Focus 10 (non-robotic) it seems to work. I guess I'll need to hook it up on there with no face plate.
You CANNOT successfully have a face plate and an external data collector attached directly to the Focus 10 at the same time.....
That beeping is the sound of an RS232 error message....basically saying "Help me!!! I do not know which collector to use!"
Take the face plate off and you will be fine...
Power and data cable on the same side of the battery pack....
might be time to stop by the local sales office and pay for a day of training. knowing how to use the tool and ALL of its capabilities will be money well spent.
if you can't do that try to find a local with the same rig and ask to tag along for the day. i had one of my competitors spend an afternoon with me and he liked my setup so much he went and bought one just like the week after.
Best piece of advice so far. Depending where you are the $500-$1,000 they charge for a day of training will be money well spent. Even on the software side of things it makes since. There are things that Nomad can do that will make you even more efficient than you have become with your new investment.
Where are these classes? I've never heard of one for Survey Pro - and or Spectra. But I'm a Carlson guy, so this is all new.
You can find a dealer at the web address below. That would be my first stop.
this may sound trivial, but since the focus 10 is a blue version of the trimble 5600 series, I'll tell you to always make sure the instrument is on before you power up your radio/dc. For some reason that is the only reliable way to get the radios to 'sync' up with the dc/robot. also, go ahead and buy a battery pack or lawn mower battery with the alligator clip cables. those stacked robot batteries don't really last all day. I would recomend you buy a black and decker car booster from the auto parts section of Wal-mart. Its about $60, and it has its self contained battery with adjusting voltage and amperage knobs and a wall charger. Well worth the money, it also has a handle, fairly light, and worth the money for running robots all day.
@ C.Tompkins: How do you use this battery booster...for your battery? Is it the one w/ Clips on it at Walmart? They have a few different kinds.
Also, when you say get a lawnmower battery w/ alligator clips, how do you take that with the clips and connect it to the robot to power it up? Might sound like a dumb question, but just curious how you do it.
Sounds like you're pretty familiar with this type of system, how do you get to staking really tight stakes that might need hub/tack? Besides the obvious of checking the bubble on the rod, do you do anything different when out by yourself?
Thanks for the info, really is helping me out.
I have a "jump starter" in my truck that I use a back-up. You need a batter adapter cable to hook the gun up the "jump starter".
http://www.martininstrument.com/alligator-clip-power-cable
You clip the aligator clips on the cable to the clips on the "jump starter", and you're in businss.
FWIW, the 3 battery pack, when new, will run the gun 8 hours or so. But as time goes on, it gets weaker. There is an aftermarket battery pack that will run the gun a couple of days. It's a pretty slick system that comes with a quick connecting charger and a canvas bag. It uses a the same battery that used in those electric carts that old people drive. It's an easy and cheap battery to replace. When the time comes to replace the 3-pack of batteries, it might be a good idea to look into that system.
Geoline in Seattle is really close to becoming your local SP dealer if it's not already a go. If you plan on paying 500-1000 for a day of training you could just drive east about 300 miles and I'll train you on it for a couple hundred bucks and a dinner.
