Sokkia SET500

[subman]

I'm shopping for a starter Total Station. I think this particular model came out around 2000/01. Any comments either pro or con on the Sokkia SET500. I would appreciate any feedback, including other make/models I might want to consider looking into. Thanks.

[dmi]

Is Sokkia an instrument that you are familiar with? A big factor is what kind of support can you get from your local dealer. I am a fan of Geodimeter/trimble. Ebay has auctions on the 600 series and the 5600 series on a reular basis. It is possbile to get eveything you need for a solo robotic/reflector set up from between $6000-$12,500. I have not followed auctions on the other brands. Leica makes really fine equipment(not a fan of the on board software of either leica or geodimeter) The SDR33 is just the greatest. I wish I had one to use with my geodimeter 444.

[goodgps]

Cant go wrong with topcon either. Lots of bang for the buck just make sure you have ample batteries.

[subman]

Well I followed your advice Good! I went with an older unit. A Topcon ET-1. Actually, that's what my budget could afford right now (too many kids in and heading to college), it was well taken care of and the surveyor I bought it off was down-sizing and very generous with tossing in a bunch of parts, supplies, tri-pods etc.

My questions based on limited experience operating a total station are the following:

Any suggestions on buying a couple reasonably priced prisms, a pole and the hardware to mount the prisms on a tripod for a back sight?

Any suggestions on where to go to field test/check the calibration of the total station before taking it in for a "general maintenance" check up?

Any experience on what I might expect to pay in the LA area for a "check up" on my Topcon unit.

Any suggestions on a minimum list of must have tools, supplies, equipment to retrace some surveys in my neighborhood to test myself in comparing my measured distances/angles against (record) distances/angles. It would likely entail centerline traverse of a newer residential subdivision block (low traffic volumes) with recently set monuments.

Thanks in advance for any advise.

[PE_PLS]

NGS publishes data on EDM calibration baselines all over the US. A link to it can be found here: http://www.ngs.noaa.gov/CBLINES/calibration.html

Hope this helps

[E_Page]

Suggestions on hardware to mount prisms? Yes, don't buy the cheap off brand tribrachs. Even if you can adjust them, they won't hold an adjustment. Look for used units of the big name brands (Topcon, Leica, Sokkia). These old units were made of quality parts and can still be serviced.

[Rob_LS]

Get a SECO tribrach adjuster puck and rod bubble checking jig, and use them often - I don't know what they are really called, but you'll recognize them when you see them... I prefer using Wild (GDF 21 or 22 can't remember which) tribrachs, if you can find them. Don't get the ones made in Hungary... Probably better than others, but no where near the top quality of older wild/leica gear... Also, purchase all the same type and brand of prism, and check #1 vs #2 vs #3 for prism offset consistancy. Good shovel, Schoenstedt, rag tape, etc... Also - Set up your own calibration range near your office or home - ink an X on the sidewalk at each corner around your block (to keep you out of the street, despite low traffic volume) and travers around a few times - check one to the next... You may be surprised by the results...

[subman]

Has anyone ever used a Topcon FC-4 data collector. I am looking to pick one up to use with the ET-1 TS I bought today. I am not sure what type of connection it has and whether it will connect to a modern PC running Vista for data transfer. Does it have it's own software that is compatible with Autocad Civil 3D 2008?

[7702]

My Leica tribrachs are made in Austria (maybe by some of Arnold's relatives?) and are 2001 vintage. I agree that they are probably not of the same quality as the original Wild tribrachs, but when handled carefully, they stay adjusted and I get excellent results with them.

My Leica wooden tripods are made in Hungary and for some reason they tend to split at the tops of the lower leg sections. The splits are small, less than an inch, and don't seem to cause any harm, but it does irk me to see them.

[Rob_LS]

The Austrian tribrachs are good - the Hungarian ones are still probably better than "off brand" junk... For tripods, I suggest SECO or Crane heavy duty for the intrument. I use light-weight tripods for the glass, but I typically do not work in harsh wind conditions. Keep in mind: Your results are only as good as your set-up.

[land butcher]

Since Wild was bought out the newer tripiods and tri bracs are not as good as the old ones. At least that my opinion.
I have 4 Wild tripods from the 70s and 2 tribracs. One of my old ones got run over and the driver bought me a new one, I used it once and put it back in the box and found enough parts to rebuild my broken one.

[7702]

LB,

According to Leica's website, they currently offer three tribrach options, depending on the quality/accuracy you're after. I wouldn't be surprised if they offer additional higher precision tribrachs that aren't shown on the website. Anyway, the professional series they show (GDF121/122) are what mine are and they're not cheap. Seems like mine were close to $400 a piece almost ten years ago. I had one hit the asphalt once and it didn't seem to hurt it any. If yours is a GDF 122 and you don't use it, I will give it a good home.

***edit: I just realized that you're probably talking about your tripod, not the tribrachs. I'll take it anyway if you don't want it.