Most purchases in this category are crews replacing something broken or completing a kit that arrived incomplete. A robotic instrument without a 360 prism, or a controller without its field software licence, cannot go to work.

Controllers and field software

The controller is only useful with a licence for the software your instruments need. Trimble Access, MAGNET Field, Captivate and Carlson SurvCE all licence differently, and transferability on a used sale varies.

We confirm in writing what licence is on a controller and whether it transfers, before the sale rather than after.

Prisms and tribrachs are precision items

A 360 prism is a consumable in practice — they get dropped, chipped and knocked out of alignment, and a damaged one quietly costs you accuracy on every shot.

Prism constants must match your instrument's setting. Tribrachs determine whether your setup is genuinely centred, and a worn optical plummet is a systematic error you will not notice until the traverse fails to close.

Common questions

Will a third-party prism work with my robotic instrument?

Often, but tracking performance and the prism constant differ. For robotic tracking we recommend the manufacturer's own 360 prism.

Do software licences transfer?

It depends on the publisher. We confirm each one individually and state it on your quote.

Do you buy loose accessories?

Yes. Spare prisms, tribrachs, controllers and licences left over from disposed instruments are worth more than most people expect.

Related categories

Total Stations →GNSS & GPS Receivers →Levels & Theodolites →Guide: Buying a used total station: what to check →

Ask about survey accessories & data collectors

Prices shown are indicative for a single tested unit. Quantity pricing, dealer terms and blanket orders are quoted individually. Send the list and we will respond within one business day.