I'm considering buying a total station to get around the issues of GPS in the trees. I've rented a Trimble M3 and like its compact size (good for hike ins). The gun also is reflector-less. The gun I had been using not working anymore.
Could some of you that have used and M3 for a long time tell me any problems with the instrument. Does it suffer the on-board battery that requires an expensive replacement every three years or so? Is it a durable instrument? How does the reflector-less compare to other guns?
It looks like there are some used ones out there that won't set me back to much. I keep getting calls to do more jobs on the mountain and the GPS just won't cut it without the backup in the trees. I'd like a robot but just wouldn't use it enough to recover the cost.
Any advice would be appreciated.
I bought an M3 a few years ago as a backup, just as you describe-for pack-ins, times when we need a second instrument, etc. The reflectorless range is much better than the high accuracy S6 I have, although I don't do much reflectorless work. The S6 trade-off for high accuracy EDM was a much reduced reflectorless range.
The M3 has been very reliable, in fact it matches the S6 distances very well. The on board data collector program is access, so no learning curve there. I can't think of anything negative to say about it.
About the batteries: I haven't used it long enough to have a problem. I will say this...I bought 3 S6 batteries with the instrument in 2006. We use it a lot, and have not noticed any decrease in battery capacity and it is now 9 years later!
A bit of research shows the Trimble M3 is actually a Nikon Nivo. Looks like they put a different face plate on it and then the Trimble Access Software.
So, I'm a Survey Controller guy so the Access shouldn't be that different. I'll be using it this week and if that goes good I'll be looking to buy one.
I'm glad to hear its been a good unit. It's small compared to the Geodimeters and Sokkia SET's I've used.
I have one and it is my favorite gun! Hands down best kept Trimble secret! I grab it off the shelf over the S6, S8 and 5601.
FYI use measure rounds when setting control, elevations seems to be a little loose with this gun, but 3 rounds of plunging the scope dials it in nicely!
Plus it is so light!
John Hamilton, post: 328011, member: 640 wrote: I bought an M3 a few years ago as a backup, just as you describe-for pack-ins, times when we need a second instrument, etc. The reflectorless range is much better than the high accuracy S6 I have, although I don't do much reflectorless work. The S6 trade-off for high accuracy EDM was a much reduced reflectorless range.
The M3 has been very reliable, in fact it matches the S6 distances very well. The on board data collector program is access, so no learning curve there. I can't think of anything negative to say about it.
About the batteries: I haven't used it long enough to have a problem. I will say this...I bought 3 S6 batteries with the instrument in 2006. We use it a lot, and have not noticed any decrease in battery capacity and it is now 9 years later!
Yes the S6 batteries are the best thing going.
The original M3 was based on the Nikon 300 series - if you look at a used one you need to make sure you're looking at the one based on the Nivo, they're two very different guns.
