The terms "Total station" and "3D Station" are used to describe instruments that amount to electronic theodolites. Like other such devices, Sokkia's NET05X uses a laser beam to perform line-of-sight distance measurements, while internal sensors determine the device's angle. The device then determines the location of a surveyed point through trigonometric calculations.

The NET05 can be used without any particular target device, in which case its range is approximately 320 feet. For measuring longer distances, Sokkia supplies reflective sheets and two types of prisms, with maximum range finding distances as follows:

• Reflective sheet -- 650 feet
• With Sokkia compact prism -- 2620 feet
• With Sokkia "AP" prism -- 11,480 feet

Sokkia's NETO5x

A previous total station from Sokkia, the NET05, was said to be able to automatically search for, and point to, both prisms and reflective sheets, locating the former at distances of up to 3,280 feet, and the latter from up to 160 feet. In addition, that device could continuously track prisms moving at 56mph from a distance of 320 feet, or 11mph from a distance of 65 feet, Sokkia says.

The new, presumably more affordable NET05X is described as a manual version that requires its operator to do the locating of prisms and reflective sheets. To that end, the unit includes a 30x telescope, along with a high-intensity LED that provides assistance in dim lighting conditions. While having to operate the unit manually may be an inconvenience, the NET05X operates up to 38 hours on a battery charge, whereas the NET05 lasts for only nine, according to Sokkia.

Sealed against dust and water to the IP65 standard, the NET05X again contains an undisclosed processor running Windows CE 5.0. It also includes a 3.5-inch touchscreen display with 320 x 240 resolution, USB, Bluetooth, and an RS232 port.

Physical specifications cited by Sokkia for the NET05X include the following:

• Dimensions, with handle -- 14.8 x 8.7 x 8 inches
• Weight, with handle and battery -- 15.7 pounds
• Power supply -- 7.2VDC to 12VDC
• Battery operation -- Up to 14 hours with standard 4.3Ah lithium-ion battery; up to 38 hours with 13Ah external battery
• Operating temperature -- -4 to 122 deg. F (-20 to 50 deg. C)

Pricing information for the NET05X was not provided, but the device appears to be available now. More information may be found on the Sokkia website, here.

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