Suggestions for Robotic Total Station

I bought a geomax zoom90 new to get warranty and run it with xpad ultimate on a Panasonic fz-b2 tablet which is great. Software good and hardware same as Leica ts15/ts13 but half the cost. I prefer Leica passive to Trimble/topcon active lumps on the pole.?ÿ You can also run it with SurvPC from Carlson, or field genius but I've never seen that so couldn't give a recommendation.

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Mark Silver at Igage be worth a call as support is as much use as the new gear till you know it inside out.

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A big factor is what software you are already using or if you upgrade GNSS gear what software it will use. Pays to stick to one hardware brand unless you go SurvPC route. I like one data collector for GNSS and TPS

What equipment do you already have??ÿ What software company have you already invested in??ÿ It often makes sense to stay within your chosen software "ecosystem."

We run SurvCE w/ our RTS and GNSS setups.?ÿ Love SurvCE.?ÿ Do not love the Trimble 5600 it runs.?ÿ It has taken a lot of hair tearing to get it somewhat competitive w/ current offerings, but it's still an old gun w/ hard to track down parts.?ÿ But I run what the boss hands me.

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Side note--has anyone on here actually invested in using a J-Mate w/ their Javad setup?

https://www.javad.com/jgnss/javad/news/pr20180618.html

I do not recommend Trimble 5600, the dealers refuse to fix them, or even sell parts. They would make a good used starter otherwise.

I do recommend one with reflectorless capability.?ÿ

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igage.com

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I wonƒ??t get into details but you can piece together a pretty nice intro robotic or GNSS setup from places like eBay for dirt cheap as compared to a complete bundle. Trimble, Leica, Topcon and all sorts of other brands. Just do your research first before purchasing anything so you know what youƒ??re getting or what might be missing

@warrenward

That appears to be correct for the official Trimble shops. However there's a few threads in this forum regarding privateers who are still able to service 5600's and Geodimeter 600's.

@richard-imrie

Yes, Seiler in the US says that they still service them.  For Canucks in Ontario, they're our best option for the 5600 series.  They replace the RTS batteries, the CU batteries, and run a full-service calibration on them.

What sort of instrument might be good for you depends on what your business model looks like. What sort of jobs are you doing?

Right now I am doing boundary surveys ranging from small lots to farms. I have access to a newer GPS unit through an old employer but, when the GPS isn't applicable it's usually me and two rods with bipods by myself or a family member helping me out.

If you don't want to spend an arm and a leg on a good robot, buy a Leica TCRP 1200 , not the "+ "series, 3"or less. It has great reflectorless range at 300m. Make sure you get the "power search" version of the robot, or else it is useless for a solo operator.?ÿ I still have my 2004 TCRP 1201 and I use it with SurvCE. I use the RH16 long range bluetooth radio handle that keeps the robot connected to my Juniper Archer2 over 300m.

A geocom licence is required to use a third party software/ hardware with your Leica instrument.

Posted by: @ramses

If you don't want to spend an arm and a leg on a good robot, buy a Leica TCRP 1200 , not the "+ "series, 3"or less. It has great reflectorless range at 300m. Make sure you get the "power search" version of the robot, or else it is useless for a solo operator.?ÿ I still have my 2004 TCRP 1201 and I use it with SurvCE. I use the RH16 long range bluetooth radio handle that keeps the robot connected to my Juniper Archer2 over 300m.

As a caveat--I believe the 1200 (non-plus) series uses the 1100 series "glass" which is also no longer supported by Leica.?ÿ Great guns, but a similar situation to the Trimble 5600 where the dealers no longer technically support it.?ÿ?ÿ

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I also believe the 1200+ series uses the newer "glass" and is still supported.?ÿ Something to keep in mind if support is something you value.

@jaccen From what I've read, Javad has made it clear that the J-Mate is NOT intended to be a total station replacement.  I think it's geared more toward topo and light scanning.  I'm pretty sure you wouldn't use it for "nuts on" type traverses.  Sorry I'm not much help, but no one else had replied to you yet.

Which brand or data collector have you used before? It's better to use what you know (unless you very much didn't like it) than to buy something cheaper that you have no experience on.?ÿ

Generally now, most manufacturers work quite similarly. There's no best but what works for you. The disclaimer is that manufacturers will want you to buy all with them to ensure full compatibility.?ÿ

I have written here before of the Topcon PS I have been saddled with. I have a lot of frustration with it, mainly related to protracted latency in the radio communication, and poor target tracking retention. But it is very reliable, not expensive, and yields good data when handled well. If you have only occasional need of a TS, this may be a decent choice for you.?ÿ

I have recently acquired a Trimble S5. It completely solves the communication latency and target tracking problems I had with the Topcon and replaces them with issues of it's own. It weighs a metric F---ton, for one. So does the TSC7 data collector.

I completely agree on the weight. I just went S5 from Focus 35. I have been wondering if the S5 will fit into a Focus 35 case as it's much lighter. I do a lot of woods work and don't bring the MT1000 with me for that so a spot in the case for it isn't needed anyway. The TSC7 is definitely heavier than the TSC3 but I got a carbon rod and bipod so it feels about the same with the MT1000 on top.

I'm a big fan of the Leica TS16 with a Carlson DC.?ÿ But the only other robot I've used was an old Topcon dinosaur, with parts coming off of it.

@jph Do you know if the Carlson DC will drive the Leica TS16i and show the images on screen?

Thanks,

Ed