Which total station should I buy? (12k or under)

Leica TS-09

Do you like the current mechanical or are you slowly looking at robotics?

What is the bulk of your work?

Is weight a concern? Do you need reflectorless? What distance do you normally measure to?

Waterproof most are similar water resistant now ( None is fully waterproof, i.e. water resistant)

It going out of level in the sun is more to do with your tripod from my experience.

Howdy, welcome to the site

If it ain't broke, don't fix or replace it.

Have your needs changed and has the instrument been well taken care of and proper lube and adjustments with new seals and you would be surprised how long a good instrument will last, near forever.

There are some Sokkia CX series that would be a step up and a bit newer.

All total stations are prone to move, due to sun, and temperature changes.
A large umbrella does help.
Check level, and backsite frequently. Thats pretty normal.
12k... That'll get you alot of gun, if you know what you are doing.... Robotic... Used..
A non robotic, new, should be easy to find, for alot less.
I have a gts 3 topcon. Market value... Maybe 500$. Still a solid and reliable gun. Its 30 yrs old!
You can buy alot with that budget.
What about data collector and compatability?
What kind of work do you do, mostly?
N

StLSurveyor
Leica TS-09...It looks like they have solid cold weather capabilities, Bluetooth, USB, 1" accuracy, 1000m reflectorless, laser pointer and measurement beam which our current unit doesn't have, am I missing anything? Will have a closer look at this in the near future. Thanks for the idea!

sireath
Do you like the current mechanical or are you slowly looking at robotics? Current model is fine, just has its quirks and probably been in for service 3 times in the last few years to have the tilt knob lock fixed. This time around the quote is $500 to have it fixed.
What is the bulk of your work? Civil engineering. Topo and design of underground services, road profiles, curb and gutter, water tie ins, riparian zones etc... Anywhere from single detached homes to large multi zoned developments towers etc...
Is weight a concern? Do you need reflectorless? What distance do you normally measure to? Lighter would be nice. Yes. Up to 1000m for the most part, usually much less within city limits.
Waterproof most are similar water resistant now ( None is fully waterproof, i.e. water resistant). Water resistant is fine, it won't be swimming but don't want a sieve
It going out of level in the sun is more to do with your tripod from my experience. Well that that was definitely the case a couple weeks ago with frost melting, understandably. But generally this happens every time the sun hits it from any direction. Tight legs, concrete footing doesn't matter, it just leans with the sun, never fails always chasing the bubble lol

A Harris
Howdy, welcome to the site... Hello, thank you
If it ain't broke, don't fix or replace it... Hmmm well if I don't replace it then it needs to be fixed but I catch your drift 🙂
Have your needs changed and has the instrument been well taken care of and proper lube and adjustments with new seals and you would be surprised how long a good instrument will last, near forever... Yes it's been regularly serviced and a calibrated. Needs remain the same, didn't stop the sales guy at the local shop from trying to sell me on robotic/3D bells and whistles doohickey for $38K yesterday. Maybe it just needs a good once over.
There are some Sokkia CX series that would be a step up and a bit newer... Will have a look at these one as well thanks

Nate The Surveyor
All total stations are prone to move, due to sun, and temperature changes. Good to know. So units unaffected by this phenomenon don't exist?
A large umbrella does help. Lol, who uses an umbrella in the summer time! Not this guy
Check level, and backsite frequently. Thats pretty normal.
12k... That'll get you alot of gun, if you know what you are doing.... Robotic... Used..
A non robotic, new, should be easy to find, for alot less.
I have a gts 3 topcon. Market value... Maybe 500$. Still a solid and reliable gun. Its 30 yrs old!
You can buy alot with that budget.
What about data collector and compatability? We use a Spectra P Recon, it seems to the trick
What kind of work do you do, mostly? Answered above 🙂
N

Thanks again for all the replies! We currently have a loaner Nikon Nivo 5m, it seems like a nice little unit. Anyone have any thoughts on this? Maybe a Nivo C instead for onboard data storage? One thing about the current NPL Nikon is the limited pan/tilt knobs are gonna be hard to go back to as usual. That would be a feature in the new unit for sure.

If you have your mind set on the Nivo series. I suggest looking at the Trimble m3. They are similar build but I find the data collection software ( Trimble Access) to be a much better software than the Spectra Pro. You will like the infinite turning knob. Setting Out & Data collection is a breeze on them

I like Leica gear, all the way software and everything.

If you are concerned about the difference between a 2" instrument and a 3" instrument I would suggest reconsidering your stance on umbrellas in the summer time.

You could pick up an entire Leica TCRA1203 setup for $12K and have the robotic option if you needed/wanted it.

sireath, post: 414341, member: 9370 wrote: It going out of level in the sun is more to do with your tripod from my experience.

Off the OP topic, but how would I, as a field guy, go about convincing my boss to buy a new tripod?

We have five crews. I've been in line for a TS calibration for about a month. Assuming I'm still breaking level after two or three shots once the gun is calibrated, how could I fix the legs or convince my RPLS/boss to buy a new set?

voidintheabyss, post: 414516, member: 11972 wrote: Off the OP topic, but how would I, as a field guy, go about convincing my boss to buy a new tripod?

We have five crews. I've been in line for a TS calibration for about a month. Assuming I'm still breaking level after two or three shots once the gun is calibrated, how could I fix the legs or convince my RPLS/boss to buy a new set?

Are you in a full survey company? In my survey company, we have monthly meetings where we update everyone on projects, works, and any suggestions. While my boss would be similar where he will not go all out and buy the latest gizmos. But sometimes we tie in the dealer in the meetings to showcase the products we were eyeing and how that solves that problem we are facing. No promises though, we do not get what we want all the time. haha

On a side note, are you using aluminium legs or wooden legs? For high precision traverse and setting out things from a single station in one day, I use wooden tripods. Heavy and cumbersome for my small frame but I feel it's worth the effort of releveling the station every 10mins. I still use aluminium if I have to change station often. Also important to always check the tripods? Leaving in the vehicle, it often gets overlook during the cleanup & calibrations but the screws needs to be checked and tightened periodically.

$12K will buy you a heck of a good non-robotic instrument. I agree with StLSurveyor that the Leica TS-09 would be a good choice. I believe that the Leica hardware is superior to anything else out there, and I haven't been happy with the performance of the Nivos - although supposedly everything is better in the 2" Nivo, including the reflectorless. I love the Trimble M3 just because it has a great screen and runs Access; I like not having to use a separate data collector.

StLSurveyor, post: 414322, member: 7070 wrote: Leica TS-09

LOL, thought you were currently in love with a TS-06. 😉
Seriously though, thanks again. I bought it.

[USER=12505]@Vector[/USER]

Can't really add to the current conversation other than Welcome! 😎

FL/GA PLS., post: 414615, member: 379 wrote: LOL, thought you were currently in love with a TS-06. 😉
Seriously though, thanks again. I bought it.

Jealous.