I have always run topcon surveying gear an have been considering a new conventional total station as one of mine is getting on in years, so I go the hayes instrument website(thanks for supporting s.connect) to see what is out there. I looked through conventional, robotic, and GPS gear and it seems like Topcon has died and sokkia is labeling their gear as Topcon. The new Hiper2 looks like the sokkia unit that has been out for years. The conventional "Topcon" ES and OS look like sokkia guns with Topcon colors/logos... The knobs are not on the same side of the gun as they have been and the tribrach is not even yellow?!??!? (the knobs not being in the same place is a deal breaker for me) The QS robot still looks like the 900/9000 topcons color scheme and the operation looks like traditional topcon robotics, but it is the only thing with a Topcon label that looks like a Topcon product.
So what gives? Did Sokkia buy out Topcon? How does GOWIN fit in... Their gear looks like a topcon that is grey??? Is topcon yellow a thing of the past? What happend?
Topcon Japan acquired Sokkia Japan about three years ago.
I am not sure what their marketing strategies are. Being
a Leica fan, and having used Sokkia when employed by engineering
companies, it always seemed Sokkia was short of older parts.
I had a party chief, now PLS, with his own company has used a
SET 3 for over 20 years.
thanks Paul
Leica is looking better and better the more I look at conventional total stations, but Hayes has been there for me on the support level when I really needed them. Hayes Instrument is the only reason I will not buy a Leica, but Topcon changing all the gear is not helping Hayes sell me a new gun... not a bit.
thanks Paul
Sokkia and Topcon are the same company. Topcon seems to be taking more of the Sokkia technology than Sokkia of the Topcon. If you're looking at conventional total stations then Leica would be a great choice. The new Nikon Nivos are great instruments as well- small and long battery life. If you need some additional info let me know.
Stay away from the green stuff.
I would like that new Topcon model... if the knobs were in the same place.
If I have to learn how to run a new gun that is going to be a huge waste of time... the Topcon I was going to replace is a GTS-605 and still runs great, ties off good, and the batteries are still in good shape... Plus I, my instrument man, even the newbie all know how to run it FAST and efficient. Fast beats NEW 100 times out of 100... looks like the 605 will be here until its fried.
i've got a newish topcon 3003lw and the knobs are on the right hand side, the way they have always been on the topcons. i am a topcon man. i have owned leica, nikon, south and sokkia. i don't think i would ever buy anything but topcon again. and hayes is the best around.
I am with ya snoop
I am with ya snoop... a Topcon man through and through, but the GPT models have been discontinued. You better get friendly with Sokkia because that ES & OS models are Topcon only because that is the logo on it.
Knobs are on the right but not on the front... where they always have been.
I am with ya snoop
ahh. i didn't know they had done away with the GPT series.
Topcon & Sokkia
It is true that Topcon and Sokkia are one and the same company these days. The first simulatities came with the data collectors and then with the levels. Now we are seeing the GPS and Total Stations follow suit.
The GPS receivers are very "Sokkia" on the outside but have become "Topconized" on the inside. The new ES and OS total stations (I am using the Topcon branding to prevent any futher confusion) has taken both brands technologies, improved upon them, and released a very impressive instrument.
This total staion comes with what they are calling TS Shield technology which is the equivelant to Lojack for your instrument. This should bring down insurance rates and even help recover some stolen equipment moving forward.
It also comes with a long range communication system that allows you to run the data from the rod. This essentially allows for the smart guy to be on the business end of the pole.
I am mentioning just a few of the new features on both the Topcon and Sokkia instruments. Regardless of what brand you have become accustomed to I would highly recommend you giving these guns a fair shake when it is time to pick up a new one.
