I'm looking to purchase a new robotic total station with image scanning capability. Although I'm currently a Trimble user (5600) I'm looking at the IS-3-1 by Topcon. Has anyone experience with this product and imaging software? I'm mainly attracted to it is it seems like a good all rounder and the scanning capability should help me speed up taking on site data for elevations.
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Replies
Hi guys,
Do you know Geo-matching ? This is the independent comparison website for geomatic devices. You can find an overview of products and request quotes directly from suppliers.
Dear all,
I am not a user of a total station. But I am working at GIM International, www.gim-international.com, the global media for the geomatics business. If you like to read/learn more about all different types/brands of total stations, I would like to invite you to our website where we have all major manufacturers listed.
Another suggestion would be to go to our other platform www.geo-matching.com where you can compare all total stations and options.
Hope this helps you in deciding which brand/product suits you best.
You are always welcome to contact me at [email protected] in case I can be of help to you.
Best regards,
Victor van Essen
Sales Manager GIM International
Hi Guys,
I'm currently being offered a reconditioned VX for c. USD30K. It looks like a good bit of kit but one question for any users out there; I am unsure whether I would actually use the scanner much as I mainly do 2d elevations, topo and floor plans? The camera element interests me as I could drop the image into an elevation therefore clients can scale off the photo.
Zoran, the IS3 is a similar price to the S6 with camera options but the IS-3 does have greater functionality and also is a newer release. Also Topcon's Tesla logger looks very good. Let me know how the demo goes. I live on an island so getting a supplier over with no guarantee of a sale isn't going to happen!
Hi Zoran I agree totally with your predicament. The VX does look good and with Trimble you can guarantee that it will be built to last and work. However the IS-3 is on it's 3rd release and Topcon seem to be continually investing in the product, in fact it does seem to have a better spec than the VX. Trimble on the other hand seem to be investing heavily in their software as opposed to hardware. What worries me with the IS however is that a) I've never used a Topcon instrument hence unaware of its reliability and b) I use Geosite to process my traverse, and so far it seems to be having trouble importing a Topcon file. Topcon from what I gather do not offer any software which provides traverse adjustment. Currently I have things running smoothly with my survey office software however adopting a new package will take time to learn and hence there is further costs to swallow...
I agree Guido, when you have things running smoothly, and don't have much time for new things it is a little bit difficult making some big changes. I use local software called GeoMir and coded measurements but GeoMir uses all kind of instruments formats, and after coding measurements is very easy to manipulate with data and making adjustments.
Hello Guido, Hello Zoran,
Did you already consider the Trimble Vision technology in S6 or S8 Total Stations? Pricing is better then VX Spatial Station.
Trimble VISION technology integrates calibrated digital cameras with Trimble S6 and S8 total stations. These instruments have the ability to collect survey data, stream video from the perspective of the instrument, and capture panoramic still images. Trimble Access field software overlays survey data on the streaming video, which enhances the surveyor's field productivity when operating the instrument robotically. Trimble Business Center office software overlays survey data on the captured panoramic still images, enabling the surveyor to efficiently document features that were surveyed. Trimble Business Center also enables the surveyor to make terrestrial photogrammetric observations and compute point coordinates using the Trimble VISION images. Trimble VISION photogrammetry is a survey tool that precisely measures points which were previously time-consuming, dangerous, or impossible to collect using other techniques.
Have you considered the Trimble VX? Great 1" gun with scanning capability. I have been using it and it is vert simple and straight forward. You will need Trimble Realworks survey also.
Yes Trimble was one of mine considerations, but difference in price between these two instruments is significant.
Topcon price is about 25000-30000$ until Trimble is about 50000-60000$. I can say that i have Trimble R8 GNSS, and would like to buy Trimble Total station, but price in this moment is too high for my financial capabilities.
Zoran, it was very expensive. I agree. Great instrument but a lot of money. I am sure the Topcon would be great also. We have to be smart! Maybe you can find a used one? I saw one on ebay a few days ago!
Good luck!
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