California Surveyors Forums

I'm looking for a workhorse all in one robotic reflectorless total station that I can use on several types of projects. Nothing too bulky, nothing with too many bells and whistles, and nothing old and clunky. It's gotta be good to work for 5 years and more.

I like Topcon and TDS software. I am familiar with the Trimble line but do not like Survey Controller.

Can you folks provide some input on your likes and dislikes of various manufacturer's and models?

I need something pretty quick.

we are happy with the Trimble, use survey controller with TDS, it is great for open topo and stakeout as long as you do not have multipal setups or traverse. It is big, heavy and intial setup is slow but 2000 shot topos are common, data collection is quick and easy, so is repetative shots.

I would look into the Trimble 5603, with TDS software (reflectorless) . I use this for just about everything (topo, stakeout, boundary). It is easy to setup and operate. It is an older model, so it may not be as expensive, but it works great.

Trimble 5600 series are big and bulky. I hate all the wire too.

The s6 is a great gun but expensive. I eventually settled on a Leica TCRP 1205 instrument since it's robotic, just as quick as an S6 (except in close range) and I like using the Allegro with Carlson. I used TDS for 20 years but gave up on it once I demoed the Carlson CE software and saw how surveyor oriented it was.

You should be able to find a used Leica more reasonable priced than the Trimble S6.

I will agree about Carlson, the software is based on the old C&G Fld to Finish dos based. Very user friendly, ability to collect data, adjust, set mons and go home. When our old data collectors die, I will be lost. Great for conv Total station and traversing in the woods.