California Surveyors Forums

I have a 5603 I use TDS and I have a TDS Ranger, the one with the battery on the bottom and all the connector ports on that end, usb, 9 pin serial,etc. I am using version 4.1.? of TDS. I have tried to use the data collector to run the collimation routines. When I get done with the tracker collimation routine, I get an error of 1 degree 48 minutes. I decided to check the collimation because when turning sets of angles I was getting an error of 30" or more in the vertical angles. So, I take a trip to the shop.

I get the instrument back and it still flips out when turning sets, vertical is again out more than 30". I try running the collimation routine from the data collector and again I get a very large error over a degree. I have been back to the shop since and was assured the instrumnet is FINE. I pull out the faceplate and run the collimation routine. After running the collimation routine from the instrument, I now get less than 10" in vertical angles.

I am curious to know if others have had this problem? I'll just use the faceplate from now on but, I liked using the data collector.....

Your thoughts are welcomed......

I haven't used the 5603, but found that using either Topcon or Leica instruments, that you need to run the adjustment routines straigt from the instrument's software, not through the DC.

The name "Data Collector", I think speaks very well to it's limitations and what it is really designed to do.

I have the 5603 with Survey Controller. I use the program for collimation and have not seen anything weird like that. I wish you would closer because I am curious to see what the problem is.

After much trial and error, I was able to get the TDS collimation routine to work. First i ran the complete routine set at the instrument, using the face plate. Then I switched over to the data collector (ranger 300x TDS 4.6) and ran those collimation routines. When the routine is complete in the data collector, the software indicates that it sends the results to the instument.

I believe that my error was in just trying to run the tracker routine at the instrument, using the faceplat. The repair person I use indicated to that the tracker could be run by itself since the instrument had just been on the bench, appaerntly this is not the case.

Apparently folks running the Trimble controller software seem not to have any problems...

thanks for your help