Good morning all, First off quick note, my thanks to all who started this forum and continue to participate. I enjoy reading through many of the topics and have gained confidence in business over the years. I'm a 2nd generation LS (with no kids, lol) looking to retire and replace... my Leica TCR 403 Total Station. (I do have a Leica robot as well.) Started on a Wild, then Leica, worked for a few years with Topcons and Sokkias (eh). Are there any Leica fans who have switched to Geomax, and if so, pros and cons? I don't want to be persuaded by dealers, I want to be persuaded by my fellow surveyors. Heavy concentration on retracement surveys in the NE. About 10% topo and some construction layout here and there. Thanks all!
I am confused. If you are going to retire why are you buying equipment?
If you are going to retire why are you buying equipment?
I think he means he's going to retire the Leica TCR 403.
My first experience with Leica robotics was a TCRA1102plus that I bought used from a colleague.?ÿ I ran it for about 4 years before it began getting glitchy, then replaced it with a GeoMax Zoom80R (2" version).?ÿ I found it to be essentially the same in build quality and performance to the 1102plus.?ÿ It's still my daily driver, and my only complaint is that sometimes the digital bubble goes wonky for a minute or two when setting up, but it eventually settles down.
I would definitely buy GeoMax again.
Had been using Leica TS15 in my job until I started up a couple of years back. The Zoom90 (2") I have now is excellent and I swear it makes the same noises as the TS15 when measuring/turning.
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The bigger question is what field software/recorder are you using. I use XPAD ultimate which I find great, not a fan of SurvPC but it will run it too whereas Lecia will be driven by the excellent Captivate software.
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It's only the software that separates them to me, I would have preferred Leica as in my mind it's the best but couldn't justify nearly double the cost and am still happy with my decision.?ÿ As with any gear only purchase from a dealer who is willing to provide long term quality support, sometimes there difference between productive equipment and an expensive paper weight.
It's only the software that separates them to me
I should have mentioned that I use SurvCE, and seamlessly switched from the Leica to the GeoMax.
I am not quite the guy you want to hear from, but I bought a Geodimeter in 1999. It was a great gun! I hoped it would last until I packed it in (that date still to be determined as it gets closer...).?ÿ In 2016 it started acting up, the fix was expensive, and even so, might not work.?ÿ Based upon the recommendations I found here, I went with a Carlson CR2 and Surveyor2 with SurvCE.?ÿ Once I got up to speed with the new way of doing things, it is a much better system.?ÿ Faster, tighter, lighter, batteries charge quicker and last longer.?ÿ Once in a while it will lock on a tail light, but if you are paying attention, that is not an issue.?ÿ You will not go wrong with the Geomax.?ÿ Call me if you want to pick my brain further.
?ÿIt is a big decision.?ÿ You accountant will be happy too!
Good luck
Ken
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@ken-salzmann Does it ever lock on a reflective vest and follow your vest around??ÿ That's a little harder to catch.
@jim-frame "she", I think
Before I broke out on my own 20+ years ago, I was responsible for new survey technology at the engineering firm I worked at.?ÿ?ÿI can say I've probably been using Leica robotics for longer than most.?ÿ The first time was back in 1997 with a TCA1800 and the crazy 'T' shaped data collector that was used in the GPS System 299.
The original ATR / Lock would occasionally pick up on a headlights (it did like the running light on a locomotive), reflectors, sun glare and the odd survey vest.?ÿ The last time I recall it being a real problem was back with the 1100 series and maybe the first generation of the 1200s.?ÿ This has not been a problem since for a least the last 15 years.
My MS50 will find the odd reflective object in a power search sweep but recognizes the errors of it way when it tries to pinpoints the object.?ÿ The bigger problem is that it will not always pick out the target in unusual conditions.?ÿ All of the newer instruments (1200 and on) have ATR firmware that lets you tell it when you are in low viz or highly reflective environments.?ÿ The instrument slows down a bit but you get rock solid results.?ÿ The instruments with captivate onboard are supposed to be even better.
As for the vests, it was not all reflective vests.?ÿ It liked the ones with the puffy reflective tape with the triangular seems.?ÿ The new grey stuff is not a problem.
@john-putnam Thanks for the info.?ÿ I've only ever used Geodimeter and then Trimble Robots with Active Tracking turned on.?ÿ In one case where I accidentally had it turned off, the S5 sure liked to track my vest.?ÿ That's made me wary of robots with more passive tracking, although I'm sure Leica's algorithms are more optimized for their hardware scenario, and Trimble's algorithms/tech is more optimized for the Active Tracking scenario.
My Leica 1200+ has never done that. Supposed to be very similar to the Geomax zoom 80. I really like this robot except for the buggy software we run it with.?ÿ
@frozennorth no, that has not been a problem.
@robertusa I am looking to retire my Leica, not my self. ????
@jim-frame Thanks so much, Jim. Exactly what I was looking for. I will look into the GeoMax Zoom80R.
@lukenz Great points! Yes, I certainly consider customer service and support a top priority. I had purchased a data collector several years ago which did not have the ability to work in 2D mode, and the keyboard was not QWERTY. The sales person was insistent that "it was the future" and "I'd better get up to speed". We do use Carlson products in the field and office and are most satisfied with the products and support.
@ken-salzmann Thanks Ken! I just may do that 🙂 ...and of course it's great to hear from you.
@frozennorth ???
I've been using a Geomax Zoom90 for 4 years now. I had a?ÿ seamless transition from a Leica TCRP robot to the Geomax, considering that I was using the same software on both ( SurvCE.). I wear glasses and a vest at work and the robot never had any problems locking on the prism. On rare ocasions it locks on tinted buiding or car windows. I always keep my guide lights on to avoid any confusion. I get about 10 hours of battery life using the larger capacity Leica battery.