Carlson CRT 2″ 800m Robotic Reflectorless Total Station

The Carlson CRT 2″ Robotic Reflectorless Total Station is a high-precision surveying instrument designed for accurate, efficient measurements across land surveying, civil engineering, and construction applications. Featuring 2-second angular accuracy, an 800m reflectorless measurement range, and high-speed robotic operation, the CRT delivers reliable performance for demanding fieldwork.

Powered by Carlson's Tdrive motor technology, the CRT offers fast, smooth, and quiet instrument rotation at speeds of up to 180° per second. Its advanced electronic distance measurement (EDM) system and compatibility with Carlson field software make it a versatile solution for professional surveyors.

High-Speed Robotic Total Station for Professional Surveying

The Carlson CRT 2″ Robotic Total Station combines advanced measurement technology, high-speed motorisation, and an intuitive Android-based interface to support efficient surveying and construction set-out.

With a reflectorless measurement range of up to 800 metres, the CRT allows surveyors to measure suitable surfaces without placing a prism at every point. When used with a single prism, it supports measurements up to 6,000 metres under suitable conditions.

Its robotic tracking capabilities also support efficient single-operator surveying workflows when paired with compatible field controllers and software.

Key Features & Benefits

• 2″ angular accuracy: Precise angle measurements for professional surveying and construction applications.
• 800m reflectorless range: Measure suitable surfaces without requiring a prism.
• Up to 6,000m prism measurement: Long-distance measurement using a compatible single prism.
• Tdrive motor technology: Fast, smooth and quiet robotic rotation at up to 180° per second.
• High-accuracy EDM: Distance measurement accuracy of 1mm + 1ppm with a prism.
• Automatic prism tracking: Supports robotic surveying and tracking of moving targets.
• Android operating system: Integrated touchscreen interface for instrument operation.
• Carlson software compatibility: Supports workflows using Carlson SurvPC Software.
• Hybrid+ ready: Supports combined GNSS and robotic total station workflows with compatible equipment and software.

Tdrive Motor Technology – Fast, Smooth & Quiet

The Carlson CRT features advanced Tdrive motor technology, delivering rotation speeds of up to 180° per second.

Unlike traditional geared drive systems, Tdrive uses a gearless motor design to deliver smooth, responsive instrument movement with reduced mechanical friction.

This technology provides several practical advantages for professional surveyors, including faster prism searches, improved tracking responsiveness, quieter operation, and reduced mechanical wear.

For robotic surveying applications, the high-speed motorisation helps operators maintain efficient measurement workflows across changing target positions.

Accurate Reflectorless & Prism Measurements

The Carlson CRT 2″ model offers an 800m reflectorless measurement range, making it suitable for measuring building surfaces, structural elements, terrain features, and other accessible targets without a prism.

For longer-distance surveying, the instrument supports measurements of up to 6,000m using a compatible single prism.

Its electronic distance measurement system provides:

• Prism measurement accuracy: 1mm + 1ppm
• Reflectorless measurement accuracy: 2mm + 2ppm
• Prism tracking measurement time: less than 0.3 seconds
• Single prism measurement time: approximately 0.7 seconds

Actual measurement range and performance depend on target surfaces, atmospheric conditions, visibility, and instrument setup.

Android-Based Interface & Field Connectivity

The Carlson CRT features an Android operating system with dual 6-inch colour touchscreens, providing an intuitive interface for accessing instrument settings and surveying functions.

Built-in connectivity options include Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and cellular communication, supporting data transfer and compatible field controller connections.

For surveyors who prefer a dedicated controller, the CRT can form part of a field surveying setup using the Carlson Washington Data Collector with SurvPC.

This combination provides access to physical field controls alongside Carlson's surveying and data collection software, subject to instrument connectivity and software configuration.

Carlson SurvPC & Hybrid+ Integration

The CRT is designed to integrate with Carlson field software, enabling surveyors to manage measurements, perform coordinate calculations, and complete construction set-out tasks.

When used with Carlson SurvPC, compatible workflows can include robotic total station control, point staking, topographic data collection, and survey calculations.

The CRT also supports Carlson Hybrid+ functionality, which combines compatible GNSS equipment and robotic total station measurements within a coordinated field workflow.

This can be particularly useful on sites where satellite visibility varies or where surveyors need to switch between GNSS and optical measurements.

Hybrid+ functionality requires compatible GNSS hardware and the appropriate software configuration.

Technical Specifications

Specifications refer to the CRT 2″ model and are based on published Carlson technical information.

Ideal Applications

• Land and topographic surveying
• Robotic total station surveying
• Civil engineering and infrastructure projects
• Building and construction set-out
• Road and alignment surveying
• As-built measurements and verification
• Structural and site measurements
• Combined GNSS and total station workflows

Why Choose the Carlson CRT 2″ Robotic Total Station?

The Carlson CRT 2″ combines precise angle and distance measurements with fast robotic motorisation and modern field software compatibility.

Its 800m reflectorless range, 6,000m prism measurement capability, and high-speed Tdrive technology make it a versatile instrument for surveyors working across construction sites, infrastructure projects, and complex surveying environments.

When paired with compatible Carlson field controllers and software, the CRT provides a practical solution for professionals seeking accurate measurements, efficient robotic operation, and flexible surveying workflows.

For related equipment, explore Cody's Total Stations range.