I'm an archaeologist graduate student working on my dissertation in Africa, and part of my effort to improve my methodology was to bring over a total station. I went down to near Tampa Florida, and connected with a company who specializes in total stations. He gave me a few choices for my parameters (easy to use, good for an archaeological dig, 5 sec accuracy, etc.) I selected the used and calibrated Topcon 211D.
The issue here is that I cannot get my computer to connect with this device. When I bought this, I specifically asked for something with a USB connection. I was a little surprised to see that this cable was a serial to USB cable. I didnt expect that, as the cable had a USB connection on one side, and the round topcon conection on the other.
There were some driver issues, but I've seemed to resolve them. I was a little disappointed to see how these prolific cables have a poor reputation.
After getting the driver to work, I went to good 'ol hyperterminal to communicate with this device. all programs -> accessories -> communications. Alright, so there isnt a hyperterminal anymore. To fix this, I downloaded this hyperterminal, and its not communicating.
Alright. i'm at my wits end. This total station seems to be a popular older model, and I am sincerely hoping that one of you can get me to stop tearing my hair out on this problem. I've hit a wall.
Thanks
Topcon 211D Is A Serial Device
What you need is a Topcon to serial cable and a serial to USB adaptor. The adaptor handles the USB configuration. The 211D was designed and built before USB was a concept. Please note that a survey/serial/usb connection sometimes only works on certain adaptors, some just do not play well together. Do not be surprised if the first brand you buy does not work, if so try a different brand. You may also have to go to the adaptor manufacturers site to get different drivers, depending on what you are downloading to.
To save yourelf from grief down the road, once you get it working, always use the same usb port and do not use that port for any other device.
I have worked with several different adaptors on other computers and I have gone out of my way to still have a serial connection on my work computer.
Paul in PA
Topcon 211D Is A Serial Device
Thanks, Paul.
I'm in Africa right now. I wont be back for months. I rented a car and drove down to this Total Station expert trying to get a sure setup because I was putting this whole trip together solo and on limited time.
I'm a little disappointed that I need something else, now that I'm in Africa. I turned it on, shot some points, and it all looked good.
So, how to I fix this problem besides just take the points with good old pen and paper?
I think I can find an old computer here with a serial connection, but, I'll need to score another cable with a serial, and not a USB end.
Topcon 211D Is A Serial Device
It isn't really fair to blame the total station for not being ready to go with USB because that model was discontinued from production in 2,000 when USB was the exception rather than the norm.
That said, if you have access to the internet, and I assume you do since you posted this, you should download Topcon Link software which is designed to communicate with all sorts of Topcon equipment, including their older total stations. It will get the file from the instrument and convert it to a format that you can use in your computer.
You can email me at jerry@hayesinstrument.com and I will direct you to a place where you can get the software.
Topcon 211D Is A Serial Device
Thanks, Jerry.
I'm just a little frustrated. You know when you try your best to make things work right, then, it doesn't.
Also, thanks for the tips. I'm following them now. I just wanted to say thanks. I want to do the best job I can here, and sometimes it gets hard to do that whn you hit these setbacks. Thanks for helping me do the best work I can. Ill report back shortly.
Added: Thanks for mentioning this program.
I'm currently trying to work out an issue with it
"Can not open COM port. Port is already open by another program."
Working on it.
Topcon 211D Is A Serial Device
Too much time has passed to add this to the previous post.
I've downloaded and installed Topcon Link v.8
There has been a change in the Total Station screen, when data is being sent. I do not recall what used to show up in chevron shaped brackets, but it is no longer there.
The screen holds at -Send, Meas. Data- with Stop at lower right.
When I hit start to transfer, I get this error message "Can not open COM port. Port is already open by another program."
Both the Port and the Total Station have the same settings.
I have restarted the computer in safe mode to try to limit start up programs hijacking the port. I have run Process Explorer from sysinternals to check if a program is using this com port. No luck. I've done a few reboots. I've changed the port in device manager/Topcon Link with no luck. I get the same error message.
I'm going to sleep on this and look at it fresh tomorrow.
Thanks for the input.
Scott, you're griping because you bought an almost 20 year old machine and expect it to do today's work.
Oh, BTW, the manual is in book form for further edification.
Thank you.
I have a nice copy of the manual in OCR'ed PDF. Unfortunately, it doesn't provide information on the cable issues. I wish it did.
I freely admit that I am not knowledgeable about total stations.
This was the specific reason why I rented a car and took a road trip to buy from a person who specializes in total stations. I gave my specifications, one of which were that the unit work on USB. I did not expect that this would include a serial machine that would convert to USB.
There are other total stations within my price range that I would have selected had I known this. I was trying to avoid these issues by going to see a dealer of this type of equipment.
My best to you.
Got it to work. Jerry. Thank you very much.
I kind of threw the kitchen sink at the problem, so Its hard to figure out what fixed it. I got the port renamed to a number above 10 (15), and got the drivers right, turned everything off. Left the total station off. Turned the computer on. Ran the topcon link program. Imported through the program. Hit start. Then i turned on the total station and sent it throug the total station while the computer was waiting.
Very big thanks to Jerry and to everyone else who contributed.
Glad you got it sorted out.
