Review of the best according to the editorial board. On the selection criteria. This material is subjective and does not constitute advertising and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.
When laying out terrain to create topographic maps, a total station is indispensable. A geodetic device is also used for measuring vertical and horizontal angles, determining coordinates, calculating the height of points, placing coordinates on the terrain, constructing direct and reverse design points. This highly specialized optical equipment will simplify and speed up geodetic work, so it is worth figuring out which total station is the best and how to choose it for specific tasks. The material collected by our experts will help with this. Here you will find constructive advice and customer reviews that will narrow your search.
Selection recommendations
People who already understand its characteristics resort to buying a total station. These are specialists in applied geodesy, employees for survey, cadastral or land surveying work. But we will remind you the main parameters of the choice, if it is difficult to navigate the variety of capabilities of the devices:
- Measurement range with and without reflector. The larger the future object under construction or the more spacious the area for research, the further the device should “see”. The distance for measurements without a reflector varies from 500 to 1000 m.With a reflector, this indicator increases to 3000-10000 m. But it is not always possible to install a reflective element (mechanical obstacles in the way), so you should focus on the first value.
- Class and angular accuracy. The total station readings are recorded in seconds of arc (“). Depending on the accuracy class, there are models with characteristics from 5 to 20”. The higher the number, the more accurate data the device can provide. The range of angle measurements also depends on this. The error for each km of distance can be 1.5-3 mm or more, which should be taken into account for objects that are subject to increased severity requirements.
- Weight. The mass of the geodetic apparatus varies from 2.5 to 7 kg, which affects the convenience of work with frequent movement on the object.
- Interface. A 3-5-inch screen diagonal affects the readability. USB and micro USB ports for transferring CSV, GSI, LandXML, DXF, ASCII formats simplify data exchange with other devices.
- Nutrition. All total stations are powered by a battery. The autonomy time of 10-30 hours depends on its capacity.
- Functions. The presence of additional features increases the convenience of working with the device. Bluetooth allows you to transfer data wirelessly to your computer. Built-in memory with large capacity makes it easy to store data package. The laser plummet will help you accurately position the unit in place.
- Equipment. The tripod will allow you to immediately use the total station in work. The case will simplify storage and transportation of your expensive device. The reflector will help you work in wide areas. The tribrach serves as an intermediate insert between the tripod and the total station and is designed for easy rotation and direction selection.
Rating of the best total stations
And now let's look at the best total stations, which experts speak positively about in reviews, and whose characteristics were liked by experts.
| Nomination | a place | Name of product | price |
| Review of the best total stations | 1 | Leica TS09 RUS R1000 5quot | RUB 1,037,211 |
| 2 | Leica TS09plus R500 (5 “) | RUB 457 149 | |
| 3 | Sokkia FX-105 | RUB 572,115 | |
| 4 | Nikon XS 5 “LP | RUB 472 853 | |
| 5 | Spectra Focus 2 (5 “) (SUMM-2005) | RUB 218,773 |
Leica TS09 RUS R1000 5quot
Rating: 5.0
In the first place is the TS09 total station with a measuring range without a reflector up to 1000 m. The geodetic device is equipped with a 5-inch heated touch screen. Heat is also supplied to additional keys, so you can operate the device outdoors at a temperature of -20 degrees. The IP66 enclosure protects the electronics from rain. The tacheometer is capable of illuminating the reticle at five levels. Users in the reviews love the huge memory of the equipment, which can hold 60,000 measurements and 100,000 points. The set comes with two batteries, so you can work all day. Measurement accuracy without reflector is ± 2 mm.
We found the tacheometer to be the best in terms of range with a reflector. With the help of a pole and a fixed active plate, the equipment is able to measure distances up to 10 km, which makes the product suitable for very large objects and topographic surveys. There is also a wireless connection via Bluetooth, so communication with a PC and other devices is simplified and does not require wires.
Advantages
- 5-inch backlit touchscreen;
- there is a laser plummet;
- recording in five common formats;
- anti-theft system.
disadvantages
- cost over 1 million rubles;
- No tripod and reflector pole included.
Leica TS09plus R500 (5 “)
Rating: 4.9
In second place is a product from the same brand, only with a range of 500 m. In the case of using an active reflector, it will be possible to measure a distance up to 3500 m with an error of ± 1.5 mm. The model has a tracking mode for continuous reading, in which the accuracy deviates by only 3.0 mm up or down. This feature helps to significantly improve productivity and reduce turnaround time. In reviews, buyers praise the total station for its vibrant color Q-VGA touchscreen and intuitive icon controls. The display is heated to work in cold weather. Optionally, it is possible to connect an additional keyboard, which expands the usability of the geodetic apparatus.
We've ranked this product in the best for the most complete FlexField Plus suite, suitable for a wide range of applications. The device already has everything you need for indirect measurements, coordinate geometry, calculating 3D volume, calculating a road in 2D, setting out data, transferring elevations, creating a base and reference plane.
Advantages
- comfortable handle for transportation;
- touch color screen;
- a complete set of applications;
- range 3500 m to the reflector.
disadvantages
- no robotic shooting;
- high price;
- loses in case protection to the leader of the review (IP55 versus IP66);
- does not know how to photograph.
Sokkia FX-105
Rating: 4.8
Further in the review is an engineering total station from the Japanese brand Sokkia. The model is capable of measuring distances up to 500 m without a reflector and 4000 m with an active response device. The product is delivered in a durable case with a tribrach, power adapter and two batteries. Their work will last for 40 hours. Inside there are preinstalled programs for working with projects (deleting, creating and configuring), calculating coordinates, designing a route, measuring volume. Customers praise a product in reviews for being insensitive to obstacles. The tacheometer performs measurements through a mesh netting, foliage or branches, without deviation from the norm. Owners also like the coaxial laser sight, which helps to accurately point the device to the desired location.
According to the editors of the magazine, this tacheometer is the best in view of the operating system Windows CE 6.0, while the above-described competitors have CE 5.0. This will help keep all updates longer and better interact with “fresh” programs on your PC.
Advantages
- not sensitive to obstacles;
- easy mode switching by pressing one button;
- coaxial laser designator;
- conveniently located Start button.
disadvantages
- slightly loses to the two models described above in accuracy in reflectorless mode (± 3 mm versus ± 2);
- the module Bluetooth is built-in and is not supplied in the kit;
- the range of the laser sight is only 150 m.
Nikon XS 5 “LP
Rating: 4.7
A well-known brand among photographic equipment “Nikon” produces its tacheometer for geodetic work and land surveys with an angular accuracy of 5 “. Without a reflector, the optical power of the device is sufficient for a distance of 800 m. The field of view here is 1º25, and the minimum focal length is 1.5 m. The set includes two batteries, which will last for 10 hours each. Users in the reviews like that the batteries can be replaced here in two touches, and this is important when critical measurements are being made and a low battery message is displayed. there is a USB connector on the PC, and the internal memory has a reserve of 50,000 points.
We have included the total station in the list of the best due to the presence of two touch screens. Monitors are located on each side and make monitoring the operation of the device more convenient. Each control panel is PIN protected to prevent confusion or unauthorized access.
Advantages
- with tribrach included;
- backlit buttons for working in the dark;
- an autofocus system is provided;
- panels are protected by a code;
- quick battery replacement.
disadvantages
- accuracy error ± 3 mm;
- the battery takes 6 hours to charge;
- the minimum focal length is 1.5 m, although others have 0.3 m.
Spectra Focus 2 (5 “) (SUMM-2005)
Rating: 4.6
The review is completed by a total station from the Japanese company Spectra. This is a geodetic device with optical focusing and a range of 500 m without a reflector. With an active counterplate, the device is suitable for land surveys at a distance of up to 3 km. The angular accuracy is 5 arc seconds with an accuracy of 3 mm per kilometer. The design uses a two-axis expansion joint. Through the lens, you can magnify the image up to 30 times to more accurately aim at the target. The manufacturer has taken care of highlighting the nets of threads. The minimum focusing distance is 1.5 m.
Users in the reviews like the battery life of the battery, which reaches 31 hours. For other competitors in the review, this figure does not exceed 20 hours on one battery. The set comes with two batteries, so the operating time increases to 62 hours, for which the tacheometer is recognized as the best. Another advantage is the lightest weight – 2.8 kg already with power supplies.
Advantages
- built-in memory and CD card slot;
- can be applied at -20 degrees;
- includes two Li-ion batteries;
- to the reflector, the range is 3000 m.
disadvantages
- the screen is not color, but monochrome;
- error ± 3 mm;
- backlighting only on the screen – the keys are poorly visible in the dark.
Attention! This rating is subjective and does not constitute an advertisement and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.
