I use a Trimble S-6 with a "Ranger" style controller. I was asked if it would "shoot" through a chain link fence like our topcon will do with no problem. Our S-6 will lose lock very easily. It will anticipate movement and regain lock if the obstruction is far away but if the obstruction is close to the gun, as is the case in an example through the fence as I have imagined, I am wondering if it will follow the prism as well as it does when there are no obstructions. Of course the fence must be close to perpendicular with the total station or it will not work in either case and let's not even consider parallax (sp?). Oh, and hey by the way LSU would it be possible to add spell check to the site, LOL. I plan to experiment with this situation at the next available opportunity but was just wondering if anyone has knowledge or experience with this particular situation. I hope that I've explained my question without being too confusing (I have two people talking to me and my daughter keeps texting, making it kinda difficult to concentrate right now). I suppose this question should be asked directly to a Trimble technician or representative but we as surveyors use the eqipment every day and sometimes (as has been my experience) know more about it than do the techies or salesmen (sorry guys). To put it simply-Does anyone know if a Trimble S-6 robotic total station will keep lock and track through a chain link fence?
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I have only used a robotic once and know a couple of surveyors that use them daily, but I have done quite a bit of research in anticipation of getting one. I know that both Sokkia and Topcon offer a tracking device that cuts down on waiting for the total station to lock on the prism. I don't know if Trimble offers this as an upgrade or if your instrument is capable of handling this , but it may be worth looking into. Best of luck.
Hey Jamie. Thanks for the comment. If you are looking into a robotic instrument I can tell you that I have used a Topcon in the past (almost ten years ago now) and really liked it. The company I work for now chose to purchase a Trimble and I do not like it as well as the topcon. It may be more modern than that old topcon but I still prefer the "old" topcon to the new trimble. I'm not sure if the trimble problems we have are associated with the controller or not. We have the "ranger" style controller and survey pro software with our trimble instrument (we call it a ranger controller although I'm not sure if this is the proper name but it does have the trimble logo on it). This came as an option but the standard contoller was a trimble that mounted on the rod and looked similar to a car steering wheel. I have never asked the dealer since the purchase was not my decision but some of us have always wondered if it might operate more smoothly with the trimble contoller and software. It seems the survey pro software and trimble combination has a few glitches but as I stated we have never used the trimble robotic with the trimble software. I have a feeling it might operate much more seamlessly with the software and contoller designed by the same company. The survey pro software does work well with the trimble S-6 but I have always wanted to try it with the trimble controller and software. Again thanks for the comment but I have yet to experiment to see how well it will track through a fence.
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