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Purchasing Used Survey Equipment - Key Elements To Look Out For

By: Richard Sale


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The option to buy used survey equipment is being taken by an increasing number of buyers.

It's not just the current economic situation that sways buyers to study the used survey equipment option. Speedy technical advances are increasing the rate at which new models and enhanced features are made available by the manufacturers. This also encourages a greater flow of surveying instruments into the used market.

Here are 5 of the key elements you should consider when selecting used survey equipment.

1. The Physical Condition

You can get a good indication of how well a piece of equipment has been treated by the condition of the paintwork and glass. So it often pays to do a full visual inspection.

Surveying instruments are high precision tools and, as a consequence, should be treated reasonably gently and stored in dry conditions to continue to function at their best.

It is very important that you request good close-up photographs of the instruments if you can't physically get to see them.

2. The Actual Year of Manufacture

This is usually shown on the instrument and will show the age and capability of the instrument.

It is good to know the precise year of manufacture of surveying equipment so that you can check the availability of spare parts and servicing.

It is worth asking for a image of the manufacturers serial plate as this will contain all the information you want to identify the equipment model and mark.

3. The Actual Model Number

This is important as it will pin-point the exact capabilities of the device are - the same as the version number of a mobile. For example the specification for a piece of surveying equipment manufactured in 2005 may include two different model numbers each with different capabilities.

4. The Actual Software on the instrument

Where the instrument uses on-board software this is one to watch out for. On Total Stations there are a tremendous variety of programs available. Check carefully for extras already there which might be of use to you. Equally, at the higher end GPS systems require data connections as well as annual license fees which vary. .

5. The Official Service History and Warranty of the equipment

It is worth pointing out that all the leading survey equipment manufacturers have a system of registered electronic repair workshops. All equipment that is serviced by them will be recorded to provide a full service history. So assuming you have the Model Number you should be able to access the records for a particular piece of survey equipment.

Purchasing second hand survey equipment from a registered dealer of the manufacturer usually means that a warranty will be included. However, some dealers are more generous than others in this respect which is another area worth checking.

Article Source: http://depositarticles.com/

Get new and used survey equipment from SCCS the UK 's technical authority on surveying equipment and surveying solutions. Talk to the SCCS Your Measuring Partner Today for all your surveying equipment needs. www.sccssurvey.co.uk


Rich Sale (Richard S Sale) for UK based SCCS Your Measuring Partner.

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