Unlocking Value: Where to Find Quality Pre-Owned Surveying Gear
Surveying equipment can be expensive to purchase brand new. However, for the budget-conscious surveyor or surveying company, there are opportunities to obtain high-quality gear for much less by exploring the secondary market of pre-owned equipment. Knowing where to look and what to inspect when purchasing used surveying equipment is crucial for ensuring you get good value for money. This guide will explore the best places to find pre-owned surveying gear and provide tips on evaluating quality and condition.
Online Auction and Listing Sites
Online auction and classified listing sites have become excellent resources for finding specialised pre-owned equipment, including surveying gear. Sites like eBay often list used total stations, GPS survey equipment, levels and rods, and various surveying accessories. The key things to inspect from photos and item descriptions include:
Physical Condition
Look for noticeable dents, scratches, or other exterior damage on instruments. Internal components can malfunction if a device takes a brutal hit. Evaluate wear and age of carrying cases, batteries, cables, tribrachs, and other accessories.
Optics and Displays
Blurry optics, degraded LCDs, or faulty laser pointers can diminish accuracy and usability. Request additional close-up photos of these components if not sufficiently visible in listings.
Operating Hours
Look for specified total operating/on hours if available. Lower hours mean less internal wear. Higher hours raise the chances of wiring and mechanical failures.
Accessories
Ensure all critical power cables, data cables, external batteries, storage media, carrying cases, manuals, etc., are included. Replacing proprietary accessories gets expensive.
Price
Compare prices to new models with similar specs. Consider expected repair costs and parts replacement needs based on age and condition. The goal is at least 40% savings from current retail pricing.
Survey Equipment Rental Houses
Rental equipment dealers eventually retire and sell their fleet of well-used gear, often at attractive prices compared to models still actively on the rental market. The established dealers also frequently service equipment during their rental lifetimes. When these houses sell retired equipment, items have usually been refurbished and deemed no longer rentable – but still have good operational life left. Well-rated equipment rental firms stand behind what they sell, occasionally offering warranties.
Surveying company Asset Sales
The best quality and newest pre-owned survey equipment often comes from other surveying firms liquidating assets after upgrading their hardware. Some companies sell directly to the public through classified ads. Deals can also be found through auction houses contracted to handle surveying company asset sales. If auction descriptions don’t have full details, contact the company to request age, operating hours, service records, software versions, etc., on computerised survey instruments.
Surveyor Forums & Community Groups
Specialist online forums and community groups centred around surveying are excellent sources for classifieds and shared tips on used equipment deals. Members will often post when looking to sell equipment or if they come across any quality pre-owned survey gear for sale in their regional area. Valuable details are usually provided given the niche expert nature of the community.
Inspecting and Testing Pre-owned Surveying Gear
When buying used survey equipment, hands-on inspection and testing are necessary whenever possible before purchasing. For online purchases, choose sellers with robust return policies that allow returns if the device doesn’t function as advertised upon receipt and testing. Key things to test include:
Operation / Self Checks
Power on the device and connect as needed (Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, cables, etc.) to access settings menus and run any manufacturer self-diagnostic checks or calibration routines.
Measurements & Accuracy
Measure total stations and levels and confirm they align with expected values. GPS survey instruments should display desired coordinate data without issue. Consider running accuracy validation tests if time permits.
Data Transfer & Storage
Import and export data if applicable. Perform file transfers to computer and flash drives to test ports and ensure that storage media slot readers work properly without corruption or errors.
While pre-owned can mean pre-loved when it comes to surveying gear condition, following the guidance above will help any bargain shopper land quality used gear that delivers significant value. Just be diligent in inspections before purchasing to reduce the risks. Happy deal hunting!
Conclusion:
Purchasing used surveying equipment takes more effort than buying new from catalogues or stores like Benchmark Tools Canada. However, the potential cost savings are enormous, making the extra research and inspection diligence well worth it. Quality gear lasts for years and years if properly maintained, so used equipment still has ample working lifetime left as long as it is well cared for. Just be selective in evaluating conditions and performance when sourcing from online listings or auctions. Test thoroughly before purchasing whenever possible. Follow the tips to spot issues and get the best deals on pre-owned total stations, GPS, levels, drones and other surveying gear to maximise value without sacrificing needed accuracy and reliability. With a bit of extra care taken, pre-owned provides affordable high performance.
