advice DESPERATELY needed for robotic total station package

Hello all,

First off, I really appreciate any help you guys can give me. New surveyor. This has to do with help about purchasing a robotic total station package. I mean the whole setup. If anyone has been in the same situation as us, and has been pleased with the purchase, please let me know..We are a very small surveying company. Our business has been focused mainly on residential, commercal, and topo jobs. I'd say 95% residential. Needless to say, business has been SLOW. 

My question is: does anyone have any advice for a newbie for a total station package that wont cost an arm and leg? Used is fine also. We have an old school hp48 with tds (our favorite), trimble tsc2 (w/ gps r8), and carlson data collectors. We really don't want a heavy car battery to lug around either, since we might be down to 1 man crews. So... for small residential surveys, does anyone have any ideas for me? I REALLY appreciate any help you guys may have for me. 

Thanks again, Mike

i.e. - has anyone used this? Greatly appreciated. Cheers.


http://www.ebay.com/itm/Topcon-GTS-825A-Robotic-Surveying-Total-Station-System-Carlson-SurvCE-BRILLIANT-/190586675483?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2c5fd9e11b 

Sokkia SRX 3 Robotic Total Station - excellent condition - includes RC-PR3 with 360 prism
would need to buy data collector
best offer

Hi,

We use Trimble S6 with R6 GPS and TSC2 with Trimble Access,
Check out The Trimble S3, as good as the S6 but won't track the active Target.
Since you allready have the R8 and the TSC2 you will be able to switch between these without any problems, even using bot at the same time ... but that will be top heavy and not for all day long surveying.

Chr.

James,

I use a Topcon GPT800A (reflectorless) with the Satel Radios. I am a small solo operation, with an occasional helper. On larger jobs, I will pull in one of my two buddies that are also solo surveyors, and tag team a project.

I use the above setup for everything from small residential surveys to topograohic surveys, to large construction jobs. I have the onboard batteries, but also a small external battery for long, all day setups. These setups can generally be found around the $10k to maybe $12k. One of my buddies just opened up his solo practice this past month and bought a NICE setup from Hayes Instruments very reasonable.

I have used the Trimble 5603, Lieca 1200 Smartstation, and then this Topcon. I would have to say that the Topcon is my favorite. Each robot had it's pros and cons.

Good luck, and let us know what you decide.

I have a 8005a with a fc-2500 with built in radio so it is a completely wireless setup at the rod. The more I use it, the more I like it. I had a Geodimeter I used before, and I think the Topcon is much smoother to use. I bought it from Hayes and got a great price with, but what made it worth while was the support.The instrument came with two batteries that are internal and last me all day. Hayes has a few used Topcon robots listed on their website. They can put together a package using your data collector and a Fantam/Bantam radio that is light at the rod or satel radios that are heavier but will get you more distance from the instrument.