Choosing the right equipment for your application involves considerations such as range, accuracy requirements, Hybrid Positioning capabilities, and other factors. The following chart outlines key specification differences in Topcon’s robotic total station lineup.

The RC-5A accessory provides the fastest and simplest way to relock the connection to the prism when the line of sight has been interrupted. Simply tap the field software once, and the robotic total station will detect the fan-shaped laser beam emitted by the RC-5A and relock within seconds.

Total station machine control or LPS (local positioning systems) can be used with 360-degree prisms mounted to heavy construction equipment when precise location and height information are critical and satellite positioning methods are not ideal. Heavy tree cover, tunnels or other jobsite conditions where the sky is obstructed are all popular scenarios for LPS use.

Robotic total stations help measure distances and angles for a variety of projects, such as construction, mapping, engineering, and land surveying. In addition to measuring, these versatile instruments can also interact with machine control platforms to provide precision 3D operation, even when satellite signals are not an option.

Civil engineering projects often use robotic total stations to measure angles and lengths of bridges, buildings, roads, railroad tracks, bodies of water, and critical infrastructure. MS-Series instruments can also be used for structural health, displacement and deformation monitoring.

Hybrid Positioning™ technology combines GNSS (sometimes called GPS) positioning and optical robotic measurements on one rover pole. Finish projects quickly and accurately by easily switching between prism- and satellite-based measurement modes when you lose line-of-sight or satellite reception, or as you encounter other jobsite challenges.

Robotic total stations are often used by “single-person surveying teams” to create three-dimensional maps of project areas, designs, and volume calculations; to verify as-built conditions or property boundaries; and to check grade.

Topcon’s GT-Series, LN-Series, GTL-Series and MS-Series total stations feature powerful electronic distance measuring devices (EDMs), strong battery lives, advanced prism tracking, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi communication modes, and ample memory. They are also designed for rugged use and water resistance.

If you have worked on a busy jobsite, you know obstructions can sometimes break the lock between your total station and a pole-mounted prism. The process of reacquiring this lock can cause delays and downtime.

Robotic total stations can be used to stake out jobsites, lay out points on concrete decks, check elevations, calculate building dimensions, and to ensure that equipment and fixtures are installed in the correct locations.

GTL-Series instruments also include a built-in scanner that can help VDC teams generate point clouds to verify construction quality in comparison to BIM model dimensions.