hi guys for a long time ive been seeing trimble guns on top of leica legs. are leica legs really that much better??
i have a 3 trimax legs and have been really curious about the leica legs, ive asked several surveyors about it and i could never get an answer they just tell me that thats what their firm bought for them.
can anyone chime in with their 2cents.
Huge fan of Leica GST tripods. I've been around a long time and one of the first things I was taught was if the legs aren't sturdy, your work isn't either.
I have yet to have on slip on me that wasn't my fault. I appreciate the relatively light weight and size, when collapsed. I recall decades ago, a move to "sturdier" non-wood tripods, with multiple leg clamps and thicker parts to mitigate the vibration and torque that the newer robotic total stations were putting out? Really? Torque? How much torque can that amount to, when it takes an instrument 6 seconds to turn 360å¡? Yeah, torque.
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Anyway, I've tried many brands and price points. There was always a premium price for Leica tripods, but worth every penny, in my humble opinion.
JA, PLS SoCal
The tri max's are certified for the torque and they've proven it for us in the field.
I have a Crain Trimax (is Trimble putting its name on them now that they own Crain?) and a couple of Leica GST-20 tripods. Both are good, solid performers, but I prefer the Trimax for my robot and save the Leicas for lighter-duty backsight use. I think the clamping mechanism on the Trimax is better; it provides more feedback during tightening. The Leica clamps seem to go from loose to tight in just a few degrees of screw rotation, which doesn't feel as secure to me. The big knobs on the Trimax are a plus when wearing gloves, and they don't stick out as much as the Leica knobs do. I've also had to replace some of the Leica screws, though that was on an older Wild GST-10.
I use the Leica GST120-9 and Trimax on a regular basis.
Leica has wing nuts to lock the legs and a smaller, triangular shaped head.
Trimax is an easy to use lever lock with a larger, round head.
Both are good tripods, but I prefer the Leica because of it's smaller, triangular shaped head. I think it forces the user to have a better setup. Just my opinion.
What do you guys think about the way they handle temperature and direct sunlight?
Fu3l3r, post: 418087, member: 11864 wrote: What do you guys think about the way they handle temperature and direct sunlight?
The consensus seems to be that wood is more stable in this regard, giving Leica a theoretical edge. But in the work I do with a robot -- almost all boundary and topo -- I've not noticed any significant positioning performance using the Trimax in the sun. It's a good idea to check your backsight periodically anyway, especially if there's been a marked change in sun exposure (e.g. early in the morning, when the temp is also rising), and for important shots (control points, monuments) I almost always turn at least one set, but otherwise I don't worry about it.
With almost all geodetic control accomplished via GNSS these days, the wood-versus-fiberglass tripod question is largely moot. (If you're aligning a particle accelerator you might want to give the matter more consideration.)
our biggest problem if thawing out of level- I think the weight and color of the trimax doesn't help, but if you take the usual precautions- hubbing up and burying legs you're ok.
Fu3l3r, post: 418087, member: 11864 wrote: What do you guys think about the way they handle temperature and direct sunlight?
I have both TriMax and Leica tripods. I had always used Leica GST legs before I switched over to TriMax about the time they came out. I made the switch because I liked the fact that they are taller than the Leica's and that they stand up to the weather and abuse of crews without the need for much maintenance. Years later I have 10 pair floating around but I'm slowly moving back to the Leica GST120-9 legs for several reasons. First, they are lighter and take up less space in the truck. Second, I like the self closing feature. The third and most critical reasoning is stability. I have noticed that my instrument tends to drift on the TriMax legs when exposed to direct sunlight and extreme temperature changes. Another reason is that I sick and tire of getting soaked when I move the damn things. It is fair to say that it rains a bit in the Pacific North Wet and the TriMax legs tend to fill up with water. I've decided that the added maintenance required with wood legs is worth it. As far as instrument weights, the Leica legs are rock solid under my MS50 and C10.
John Putnam, post: 418096, member: 1188 wrote: I have both TriMax and Leica tripods. I had always used Leica GST legs before I switched over to TriMax about the time they came out. I made the switch because I liked the fact that they are taller than the Leica's and that they stand up to the weather and abuse of crews without the need for much maintenance. Years later I have 10 pair floating around but I'm slowly moving back to the Leica GST120-9 legs for several reasons. First, they are lighter and take up less space in the truck. Second, I like the self closing feature. The third and most critical reasoning is stability. I have noticed that my instrument tends to drift on the TriMax legs when exposed to direct sunlight and extreme temperature changes. Another reason is that I sick and tire of getting soaked when I move the damn things. It is fair to say that it rains a bit in the Pacific North Wet and the TriMax legs tend to fill up with water. I've decided that the added maintenance required with wood legs is worth it. As far as instrument weights, the Leica legs are rock solid under my MS50 and C10.
My s6 drifts as well. Is the drifting reduced by using the leica legs?
I have a feeling the drift may be the instrument. I noticed it a bit when I owned an S6 and it has been reported on here a few times.
I think trimax and leica GST20 legs are both solid enough when maintained/tightened up.
Jim Frame, post: 418056, member: 10 wrote: is Trimble putting its name on them now that they own Crain?
Yes sure are, name and logo...
For me, quality of both tripods (Leica GST120-9 and Tri-Max) is the best.
I find the Tri-Max performs better during setting up of instrument.
Fu3l3r, post: 418109, member: 11864 wrote: My s6 drifts as well. Is the drifting reduced by using the leica legs?
Hello. As far as the literature is concerned there are two documented tripod tests that I can find.
The first paper is a thesis by a university student(?) under the guidance of a leica employee. The methodology is well explained and documented. It tests drift, vertical stability and the hysteresis of the tripod under robotic total station usage.
The second paper is by a former consultant to Crain enterprises. It refers to the ISO test but the exact methodology is not explained. If my memory serves me correctly the ISO test is a test where the tripod is torqued to deflect by a certain angle then the remaining twist (hysteresis) is measured after release.
The results of the first paper are given and there is useful information regarding the drift of the tri max tripods if you read the graphs (looks like you should mount the instrument and leave it for 20 mins before use).
The second paper (from memory) gives no useful graphs or analysis but does find trimax the only tripod from any of the leading manufacturers capable of passing the ISO test. Which may be useful next time you decide to twist your tripod 200cc before or during use.
Respectively: FIG version of first paper, leica 'white paper' version of first paper, and lastly, the second paper.
http://www.lengemann.us/pdf/SEMO Analysis.pdf
Do not play a brand name drinking game with the last paper. Whoever gets 'Tri-Max' will be unconscious before the other players have warmed up. The author doesn't dirty your eyes by mentioning other brands in his "...personal, independent, analysis..." other than in a few tables so you know which other brands the Tri-Max is kerb-stomping.
I prefer the Leica legs but like to have 1 set of Trimax for weight savings when a set up is in the woods a ways.
I do not like all the straps on the Trimax, have had problems with the bell housing screw cinching the tribrach over on the final turn, and think they are generally kind of clunky and big.
The Leica legs are heavy and require that I carry a wrench to adjust and upkeep them, both drawbacks that I can live with, especially if it is someone else who has to carry them.
Just started using a set of Trimax legs after using the Leica's for the last 8 years and various other timber legs prior to that. The larger head seems to be an ok addition for those taxing setups on steep banks, but in general I find they're pretty clumsy legs. Straps everywhere which I've taken off, additional bulky clamps, hollow fibre glass shafts to collect water, glossy slippery base plate, I'm not a fan of gimmicks and it feels to me like there's alot on the Trimax. Those extras also add up to a bigger unit, I'm going to have to design a taller rack for my ute now to fit them in.
The biggest problem I've noticed with them is the base plate though. I'd suggest if you were ever to purchase a set would be to machine the base plate to provide it with some texture, just ever so lightly but its way too smooth, I notice a slight shift in centering position every time I tighten the locking screw for the jigger. If you look at the base plates on the timber legs, whether Leica, Sokkia, or Topcon, they all seem to have a slight texture to provide some moderate grip underneath the tribrach.
Fu3l3r, post: 418109, member: 11864 wrote: My s6 drifts as well. Is the drifting reduced by using the leica legs?
In my case I think the drift is caused by the expansion characteristics of the fiberglass. It is not that much if you are doing topo but becomes an issue when trying to track our rail geometry trolley for extended times.
John Putnam, post: 418096, member: 1188 wrote: I have both TriMax and Leica tripods. Another reason is that I sick and tire of getting soaked when I move the damn things. It is fair to say that it rains a bit in the Pacific North Wet and the TriMax legs tend to fill up with water. I've decided that the added maintenance required with wood legs is worth it. As far as instrument weights, the Leica legs are rock solid under my MS50 and C10.
I've noticed the water thing in the Trimax, I haven't looked at it closely and its a mystery how it gets in there but it sure does and sure comes out when tipped upside down.
John Putnam, post: 418184, member: 1188 wrote: In my case I think the drift is caused by the expansion characteristics of the fiberglass. It is not that much if you are doing topo but becomes an issue when trying to track our rail geometry trolley for extended times.
so you just re level reshoot backsights and go?
