Total station: mechanical, Android or robotic
Three types of Meridian total stations and what sets them apart: the MTS-102, MTS-A1 and MTS-R1, and how to choose between them.
The total station remains the basic instrument for stakeout, construction measurements and precise work, even in the age of GNSS receivers. It does not depend on satellites, so it works inside buildings, under dense tree canopy and between tall buildings. The Meridian catalog has three total stations, which differ in concept: mechanical, Android and robotic.
Total station or GNSS receiver
The two instruments complement each other. A GNSS receiver is fast on open terrain, where satellites are clearly visible. A total station suits places where the signal is blocked or where a precise local measurement is needed: stakeout on a building, checking a structural element, surveying in an enclosed yard. Many teams use both.
MTS-102: mechanical, no operating system
The MTS-102 is a classic total station with full equipment in a simple design. According to the manufacturer:
- angular accuracy 2″, absolute encoding
- reflectorless 1000 m, single prism 4000 m, reflector 2000 m
- 2.8-inch color screen, 24-key keypad
- coaxial laser plummet, dual-axis tilt sensor
- 7000 mAh Li-ion battery, up to 27 hours of operation
- data transfer via USB and Bluetooth 5.0, formats TXT, OMD, CASS, CSV and SDR
It is the choice for everyday surveying and construction work, for those who prefer a simple instrument with buttons and no operating system.
MTS-A1: the Android station
The MTS-A1 runs on Android and has a 6-inch HD touchscreen, M-Survey surveying software and an 8 MP AR camera for visual stakeout. Angular accuracy and ranges are the same as the MTS-102: 2″, 1000 m reflectorless and 4000 m with a single prism. It has 4 GB RAM and 64 GB ROM, hot-swappable batteries and CAD stakeout.
It suits teams that stake out from CAD drawings and want to work in a touch interface, like on a tablet.
MTS-R1: the robotic station
The MTS-R1 is the station for single-operator work. Manufacturer data:
- angular accuracy 1″, distance accuracy ±1 mm + 1 ppm
- servo motor with a rotation speed of 60°/s
- automatic prism recognition (APR) up to 1200 m
- Android 11, two 5.5-inch touchscreens
- remote control and one-person operation (Prism Plus Position)
- automatic structure monitoring: bridges, dams, tunnels
If the work needs two people (one at the instrument, one with the prism), robotization can reduce the crew to one person. It is also useful for deformation monitoring.
How to choose
- Everyday work and a basic budget: MTS-102
- CAD stakeout, touch interface, AR camera: MTS-A1
- Single operator, 1″ accuracy, monitoring: MTS-R1
What you need besides the instrument
A total station does not work alone. You usually need a tripod, a prism or reflector, a pole and, depending on the work, stakeout accessories. See the Accessories and Software sections, and on request we help you put together a complete set.
Questions to ask before choosing
- What work do you do: stakeout, surveying, monitoring
- How many people work with the instrument
- How important the touchscreen and field software are
- What angular accuracy you need: 2″ or 1″
- At what distance you measure most often: reflectorless or to a prism
Metrological verification
A total station is a measuring instrument, and for work with legal requirements the question of metrological verification arises. The position of total stations in the official list of measuring instruments is unclear in the sources we reviewed, so we recommend clarifying the current requirements with INM. Details are in the article on metrological verification.
All total stations are in the Total stations section. Add the models you are interested in to the quote cart or write to us on the Contacts page.