Thinking of picking up one of these. I understand they are basically end of life, so I don't expect any Trimble support, but does anybody know whether a place like Martin Instrument in Texas is still servicing these?
FrozenNorth, post: 444171, member: 10219 wrote: I understand they are basically end of life
They're so far past EOL that they're eligible for sainthood.
Jim Frame, post: 444183, member: 10 wrote: They're so far past EOL that they're eligible for sainthood.
I'll put on my flame-retardant drawers here, but what I am looking for is a "cheap" robot for light duty residential surveying. I'll be using GPS most of the time. So I need a solid, reliable machine, but I don't need a rock star robot laying out skyscrapers and oil refineries 7 days a week.
Other recommendations very welcome. I don't need a Mercedes, but I do need a 20 year old Toyota pickup with a good drivetrain.
For what it's worth, I'll probably go Javad on the GPS, so not looking to match any GPS brand.
FrozenNorth, post: 444188, member: 10219 wrote: Other recommendations very welcome
I would look into a Leica TPS1200 system. I still have a TCRP1203 in daily service and for what I paid it's an absolute work horse! Not to bash on Trimble but it's just better if you're talking robotically and consider tracking and battery/radio setup. They're still serviceable too. If you pair it with an Allegro MX with battery pod and SurvCE it will impress for the price. If you do a lot of reflectorless work make sure you look at that spec on either model you choose though.
FrozenNorth, post: 444188, member: 10219 wrote: Other recommendations very welcome.
I use a Topcon PS, and I don't like it much. It's slow. The data is fine, but it's dog a$$ slow. Because it's so slow it doesn't track super well at close range. But it's reliable and not too expensive so for what you want it might be just the thing.
FrozenNorth, post: 444171, member: 10219 wrote: Thinking of picking up one of these. I understand they are basically end of life, so I don't expect any Trimble support, but does anybody know whether a place like Martin Instrument in Texas is still servicing these?
I had one repaired by Western Data Systems in Houston about two months ago. Some new parts, some old parts. It was "knocked off the tailgate" by a rookie that was never properly trained in the fact that you don't take an instrument out of the case and set it on the tailgate.
I was very happy with the service I got.
James
FrozenNorth, post: 444171, member: 10219 wrote: Thinking of picking up one of these. I understand they are basically end of life, so I don't expect any Trimble support, but does anybody know whether a place like Martin Instrument in Texas is still servicing these?
In US, I am not very sure. But Trimble 5600, its really hard to find parts and your repair costs may go up because of that.
The Leica 1200 series, while old is not bad for the price. Furthermore, parts are kind of similar to Geomax, thats what my repair guys uses for it.
FrozenNorth, post: 444188, member: 10219 wrote: I'll put on my flame-retardant drawers here, but what I am looking for is a "cheap" robot for light duty residential surveying. I'll be using GPS most of the time. So I need a solid, reliable machine, but I don't need a rock star robot laying out skyscrapers and oil refineries 7 days a week.
Other recommendations very welcome. I don't need a Mercedes, but I do need a 20 year old Toyota pickup with a good drivetrain.
For what it's worth, I'll probably go Javad on the GPS, so not looking to match any GPS brand.
Reliable, no.
What lets these down is the batteries. The current draw is massive compared to newer robots. The last time I had to use one we gave up on it fairly quickly when it wouldn't work for long, even on a car battery. The cold stopped us working in winter and overnight. They also start doing odd things like losing communication when the battery is less than full. Long before you get any low battery warning.
My 5600 is 16 years old and still going strong. I've re celled the batteries twice and had to replace the radio antenna.
The biggest hassle is replacing the on board battery every 2 years. My local dealer still services it.
I'm a solo company so I use the instrument and I take care of it. Unfortunately buying used equipment you don't know who owned the equipment and how well they took care of it. I had a friend who was head of the surveying department for a large engineering firm. He complained that his crews would go through instruments every 4 years, they were very hard on them.
I can't tell you if it's the best instrument for you, I don't know your budget. The 5600 is really a repackaged Geodimeter so it is older technology, but it still works well for me.
squowse, post: 444217, member: 7109 wrote: What lets these down is the batteries.
I suppose it depends on the batteries being used. We make our own 7aH Li-on batteries and they give around 2-3 days at 8 hours use. Biggest problem will be spares if it goes wrong (more likely to be the keyboard than the instrument) and getting the internal batteries changed every three years. We keep one going in order to provide continuity on the long term monitoring jobs it is used on. Local dealer is very good (Survey Solutions Scotland) and when we needed a replacement keyboard I sent him up a batch somebody was getting rid of. He went through them and picked out the best for me and only charged for replacing the internal batteries.
It also doesn't matter how well they are cared for. Our 5600 is rarely used and looks brand new, yet it has had to have major repairs over the years.
I suspect that the next time it needs major repairs, the parts will not be available (even if it is a 50 cent part.).
I used one a few times. Just my opinion ..... its a beast of burden. It gets the job done, but man its a load. I hated carrying that thing through the woods.
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The 5600 sucks. Do yourself a favor and pick any other robot. I used one at a former employer and if you weren't on a dirt site it was useless. It lived in the closet.
I bought myself a Topcon 8203 and used it a few years before investing in the Carlson robots which are Geomax which are Leica technology. They make us money. The weight is not that bad and long range Bluetooth instead of radios. Small camcorder batteries that last multiple days. I think Leica are probably a little better, but its worth the extra $ because you'll be more productive.