Spectra Precision Setups

I have a Focus 10 and a Focus 30. They are definitely a great bank for the buck! Designed for Trimble Survey Pro software (TDS)so I'm not sure what else you can use to rum it.

Pros: Extremely fast in all phases of robotic surveying. Fast setup!
Construction staking is fast and the vertical is accurate to around 700 ft or better (this is about the limit I feel comfortable with unless it's rough grade but I don't have issues even at this distance).
Topographic surveying is very fast and some great programs in TDS software to make it really slick.
Turns sets of angles faster than you could even imagine.

Cons: Only comes with 2 batteries (on-board) and they can get used up in a long day. I just purchased a third or you can run an external with alligator clips.
I don't think the dealer network is that great, at least not in my neck of the woods. My experience is the re-sellers for Spectra usually specialize in other brands so finding someone who really knows what the hell they are doing can be trying.

Durability I would say is great. Focus 10 is 6 years + old and still going strong. I get it serviced at the Trimble service center in Dayton Ohio every year. The 30 is just about 9 months old and I had no issues with it since purchase.

Precision is great!

Customer support for my Focus 10 was great but my sales guy changed shops and doesn't sell Spectra any more so I switched and that's when I had the problems noted above.

All in all they are great instruments and I kinda refer look at them in car terms where the Trimble is a Lexus and the Spectra is a Toyota. Both made by the same company (Trimble) but one has more bells and whistles but you pay greatly for them. If you compare the specs of the Focus 30 to the Trimble S6 they are nearly identical. The S6 has the ability to use an active prism but the 30 does not. For 20K difference I'll go with the Focus 30. I'd be happy to answer any other questions you may have. Hope this helps.

kld112-
A Epoch50 user for a while. Very happy with them. I understand they were designed w/ Survey Pro in mind, which is what i use in field. Don't know how they cooperate w. other field programs.
GLONSS and GNSS gives me plenty birds and good RTK precision in canopy.
I had priced R8's at the time, at twice the cost. Hard to justify that.

I purchased a Spectra Precision Focus 10 robot 5 years ago. I looked at a Trimble S6 but it was 10K more. As stated the Trimble has more bells and whistles but basically they both do the same thing as far as measuring. The Focus 10 is basically the same gun as the old Trimble 5600, a proven dependable work horse (the F-150 of robots). I have had no problems and I am impressed with the speed and accuracy.

I just recently bought a Spectra Precision Pro Mark 700 network rover and Ranger data collector. I have been using it with a VRS Network. It has also worked well for me. Seems to work as well as Trible receivers I have used in the past. I can run my total station, robot and GPS receiver all from the one data collector. Great setup

Thanks for all the input!

That's exactly what I was looking for

I purchased Focus 30 and ProMark 800 a few months ago. I am very happy with it. Using a Leica network for the RTK (I know a VRS would be better) and get really good results. With the Ranger 3RC I haven,'t had any issues and Robotic to GPS is really seamless. I like the ProMark 800 better than the Epoch just because of the Z-blade technology; its amazing where I'm able to fix with that receiver. For the money you can't go wrong with SP. I was able to get data collector, Robotic and GPS for the cost of a Topcon Robot or Leica Robert with DC only. Love survey pro! So easy to use and really easy to train with. Good luck.

I have two Focus 30 robots and a base/rover Epoch 50 GPS setup. Very satisfied. Only problem I had was the internal battery died on one of the Focus 30s out of warranty. Had to send it back east and it cost about $1000 to get fixed for a $20 part. The first job back paid for the repair so I am over it.

I use Survey Pro on a Ranger 3 and a Nomad with an external 2.4GHz radio adapter. The Nomad also gets used with the Epoch 50s when doing gps work since it also has SP GPS (besides robotic) and connects w/ Bluetooth capability. More compact than the Ranger 3 for GPS use. I am a small operation (PLS and two I-men). I am the PLS and I am in the field with the crews every day so I know the equipment is being handled with care, Couldn't see spending $10,000 each to get Trimble S6s instead for better durability. The Focus 30s have paid for themselves already in productivity and reduced labor costs.

I am a happy camper with SP.