Target control settings

Configure settings for tracking and locking onto targets in the Target controls screen.

To access the Target controls screen, tap the Instrument icon in the status bar and then tap and hold on the Autolock, GeoLock or Search button. You can also tap and select Instrument then Target controls.

The fields shown in the Target controls screen depend on the selected Target lock method and the connected instrument capabilities.

Select the method for locking onto the target. See Enabling Autolock, GeoLock.

Use the Predictive tracking time setting to pass behind an obstruction and have the instrument continue to turn, based upon the target's horizontal trajectory, when lock to the prism is lost. Predictive tracking is only effective when you are moving. Choosing 0 seconds is the same as turning predictive tracking off.

  • When using Predictive tracking time in Autolock mode: If the instrument fails to regain lock after passing behind an obstruction, it returns to the location where lock was first lost.

  • When using Predictive tracking time in GeoLock mode: If the instrument fails to regain lock after passing behind an obstruction, GeoLock will take over and point the total station to the GNSS position of the target.

When lock is lost, Predictive tracking is used to help regain lock to the prism. If predictive tracking does not regain lock, then select the automatic behavior to be performed. The options shown depend on the selected Target lock method and the connected instrument.

Automatic behavior Target lock modes Behavior when lock is lost to a target Suggested use
None Autolock only Does nothing. None can be useful in very busy environments where line of sight is difficult and good GNSS positions are not available.

Track GNSS

GeoLock only

Tracks the GNSS location of the target as you keep moving. Track GNSS combined with the instrument's ability to automatically snap to a target is often enough to easily regain lock.

Track GNSS can be useful when good GNSS positions are available or when working at medium to long distances from the instrument.

Track GNSS can be faster and more efficient than Search, particularly in challenging environments.

Search

Autolock and GeoLock

Automatically searches for the target. Specify the search method in the Search window group box.

When using GeoLock, the instrument will turn to your GNSS location before starting a search.

Search can be useful when good GNSS positions are not available or when working close to the instrument, or if your instrument does not support video.

Show joystick (if the connected instrument does not support video)

 Autolock and GeoLock

Automatically shows the joystick screen if the instrument does not support video.

In Geolock: Tap the softkey for a single GeoLock instrument turn before searching

In Autolock and Geolock: Tap the softkey to start a search.

When the instrument regains lock to the target the screen will automatically revert to your previous screen.

Show joystick can be useful when the GNSS position is poor and you want to use the joystick to repoint the instrument.

Select the search method to be performed when lock is lost to a target. For more information on Search, see Instrument functions.

Select Standard search to use the horizontal and vertical ranges to calculate the extents of the search window based on the direction the instrument is pointing each time it performs a search.

Select Fixed region search to perform a search for the target within a custom window that is independent of the current pointing direction of the instrument. A Fixed region search can be useful to define a search window that matches the area you are working within, instead of a Standard search which has a window centered around the direction the instrument is pointing. To configure the top left and bottom right extents of the search window:

  1. Tap the Set win softkey.
  2. Aim the instrument to the top left corner of the search window. Tap OK.
  3. Aim the instrument to the bottom right corner of the search window. Tap OK.

Select Automatic search on measure to automatically search for the target if it is not locked onto when starting a measurement.

When working in dark environments, it can be useful to use the laser to help locate prisms. However in normal use the software does not allow both the laser and Autolock to be switched on at the same time. For example, if you switch on the laser when Autolock is switched on then the laser switches off. If you want to use the laser again then when you switch on the laser Autolock switches off.

The LaserLock method enables you to alternate between using the laser and Autolock automatically.

To use LaserLock, enable the Laserlock check box in the Target controls screen and switch on the laser by tapping the Laser tile in the Instrument functions screen. Use the laser to help you locate the prism. When you measure to the prism the software automatically disables the laser and switches on Autolock. The total station then automatically aims to the prism if it is within it's defined field of view. When the measurement is complete the software switches off Autolock, and switches on the laser ready to help locate the next prism.

If the instrument is fitted with the FineLock lens aperture accessory, select Using FineLock lens aperture to lock onto and measure to a prism less than 20 m (66 ft) away.

Snap to target is a useful Autolock feature where the total station will automatically aim and lock to the target if there is a target within the Autolock view area.

When the Disable snap to target check box is enabled, the total station will not automatically aim and lock to the target if there is a target within the Autolock view area. The total station will only aim and lock to the target after a search or measure command has been initiated. This mode is useful for minimizing false target locks in complex environments, such as areas with multiple targets or highly reflective environments where a passive target is used. Using an active target should minimize false target locks in these environments.

If the measurement is likely to be interrupted, for example, when measuring in traffic, tap the Interrupted target measurement switch to enable it and enter the Interrupt timeout value. The instrument continues to try to measure to the target, even if there are prism obstructions, up to the Interrupt timeout value.

During an automated measurement, if the instrument fails within the Interrupt timeout period the instrument moves back to the target and attempts the measurement again.

Interrupted target measurement mode only applies to the following:

  • Station setup plus

  • Resection

  • Object oriented setup

  • Measure rounds

NOTE – Target interrupted measurement is optimized for instruments with a DR Plus EDM.