One of the most common questions from people booking Total Station training is: which instrument will I actually use? It is a sensible thing to want to know. But the answer is more nuanced than a brand name, and understanding why makes a real difference to how you approach your learning.
This guide explains the equipment used in setting out training, why the principles matter more than the model, and what to expect when you arrive on a course.
Two Things You Are Learning Simultaneously
When training with a Total Station, there are two distinct areas of development happening at the same time.
The first is learning the transferable principles: the concepts, techniques and accuracy standards that apply regardless of which instrument you are using. The second is learning instrument-specific workflows, which are the practical sequences of actions that vary between manufacturers, software environments and instrument generations.
Understanding the difference between these two things helps clarify what equipment you actually need to practise on, and why hands-on time with any Total Station is valuable even before you have worked with the specific model used on your site.
The Transferable Principles: Valid Across All Instruments
The foundational principles of Total Station work are the same regardless of the brand or model of instrument. These include:
- Accuracy principles and sources of error
- Setting up over a known point
- Different instrument set-up methods, including resection and known point set-up
- Sighting and lining-up best practice
- Measuring and calculating angles
- Horizontal and vertical collimation checks
- Error reduction and systematic checking processes
- Record keeping, traceability and accountability
All of these fundamentals can be practised on a basic manual Total Station, sometimes referred to as a two-person instrument, as it requires a separate person to hold the prism. Getting hands-on time with even a basic instrument is valuable, because repetition and familiarity with the underlying processes build the foundation on which everything else sits.
If someone can apply these principles confidently, checking their setup, understanding where errors can enter, knowing how to validate their work, then moving to a more advanced instrument is largely a familiarisation exercise rather than starting again from the beginning.
Instrument-Specific Workflows: Where Brands Differ
Once you move beyond the fundamental principles, the practical experience of using a Total Station becomes more instrument-specific. Workflows differ between manufacturers, between software environments, and between generations of the same instrument. Time spent on one system does not always map directly to another.
Practical familiarity with a specific instrument involves becoming comfortable with:
- Terminology used within that system
- Menu structures and interface layout
- Navigation through different functions
- The sequence of operations and button presses required
Examples of workflow-based activities that vary by instrument include:
- Different instrument set-up methods within the software
- Carrying out surveys with coding and linework
- Viewing and editing data on the controller
- Stakeout and stake to line
- Working with Digital Terrain Models
- Onboard programmes such as traverse, road alignment and 3D viewer
Instruments Commonly Encountered in Training and on Site
Total Stations are produced by a small number of established manufacturers, and most site engineers will encounter equipment from at least one of these during their career. The most common are:
Leica
Models such as the TS07, TS09, TS16 and TS20 are widely used across the UK construction industry. The Icon range is also encountered on larger infrastructure projects. Leica instruments typically operate within the FlexLine or Captivate software environments, or Icon Build, Icon Trades and Icon Site depending on the application.
Trimble
The S7, S9 and S10 are common Trimble models seen on UK sites. Trimble instruments usually run Trimble Access as the field software, which has a distinct interface and workflow structure to Leica systems.
Topcon
The GT and LN series are the most frequently encountered Topcon instruments. Topcon typically uses Magnet Field as the software environment, which again has its own terminology and workflow logic.
It is worth noting that the software environment often has a greater impact on the day-to-day user experience than the hardware itself. An engineer who is highly familiar with one software ecosystem may need a period of familiarisation when switching to another, even if the underlying instrument is technically similar.
Leica, Trimble or Topcon: Does It Matter Which You Learn On?
For developing the core principles of setting out, no. The fundamentals are the same across all three, and time spent on any instrument builds the foundation that transfers everywhere.
Where it starts to matter is in workflow familiarity. If you know you will be using a Leica TS16 in your first role, spending time on that specific system, and in the Captivate environment, will help you get up to speed faster on site. The same applies if you are transitioning between systems and find the interface unfamiliar.
For most learners at the start of their career, the priority is developing the transferable principles first. Instrument-specific familiarity comes through repetition on the job. If you have a strong grounding in why you are doing what you are doing, adapting to a new system is a relatively straightforward process.
What Equipment Do Learners Use on SOFC Courses?
The range of equipment used on SOFC courses varies depending on the course. Some courses include instruments from multiple manufacturers, which allows learners to develop familiarity with more than one system and to understand how transferable their skills are across different environments.
Typical examples may include Leica, Trimble and Topcon instruments, though the specific models available can vary. Some courses focus on one system in depth, which is better suited to learners who already know which instrument they will be working with in their role.
If you want to know which equipment is available on a specific course, you can check in advance when booking. Where practical, specific equipment can often be arranged to accommodate learners who need experience on a particular system.
Practice days are also available, giving delegates the opportunity to gain exposure to different systems after their course. These sessions are useful for learners who want to build familiarity with a broader range of instruments or who want to consolidate what they have learned in a less structured environment.
Can I Bring My Own Instrument?
Yes. If you want experience on the exact equipment you use or are about to use in your role, you are welcome to bring your own Total Station to train with. This can be particularly useful for learners who have been issued a specific instrument by their employer or who are transitioning between systems and want to build familiarity with a new one in a supported environment.
Reinforcing Learning Away from the Instrument
Practical time on the instrument is essential, but it can be supplemented by video-based learning that covers specific workflows and instrument interfaces. SOFC eLearning provides tutorials covering a range of instruments and workflows, allowing learners to revisit concepts, follow along with specific sequences, and build familiarity with different interfaces at their own pace. These resources work well alongside course attendance and are useful for learners who want to reinforce what they have practised on site.
The Key Principle to Take Away
Ultimately, all Total Stations, regardless of brand or model, perform the same core functions. The principles of accuracy, error reduction, verification and good practice are universal. If you can apply those principles confidently on one instrument, moving to a different make or model is a matter of familiarisation, not starting from scratch.
The goal of good Total Station training is to develop that transferable foundation first, and then build instrument-specific familiarity on top of it.
To find out which instruments are used on specific courses, view our course catalogue or get in touch with the team.