Leica TCRP1203 with Carlson SurvCE 2.5 on an Allegro

Good afternoon.
I am thinking about purchasing a Leica TCRP1203 with Carlson SurvCE 2.5 running on an Allegro CX.
Does anyone use this combination?
I rented the new Trimble S3, and was amazed by its speed.  You can store points in "near" real time using tracking  mode...blazing fast.  I was going to buy it, but after trying it around obstructions and woods (there are a lot here in NE PA), I pretty much decided not to buy a Trimble.  It's weird to me that most people tell me Trimble is hands down the best robot.
I can't believe that an instrument so technologically advanced does not have some sort of "quick search" feature...for the most part you have to use the "joystick" to reaquire the target.   It has a GPS "bug" on top of the rod, but in the woods (where you need it), the GPS L1 receiver is not accurate enough to let the total station know where I am.  I heard there's an active tracking prism available for the S6...but the dealer (who I really like) told me it won't help find me in the woods...this active prism is just to avoid locking on other reflective surfaces.

Anyway, this brings me back to my original question as I think I'm going to go with the Leica1203 /Allegro combo with SurvCE (my current GPS and robot run on Carlson).  For anyone using it, is there a "lag" while in tracking mode with Carlson?  When shooting topo with my Sokkia SRX / Carlson Surveyor+ there is quite a lag, it is annoying when trying to blast out a bunch of topo shots in a hurry (this is where the Trimble shines).

If there's anyone from Trimble listening, the perfect robot would be an S6 that uses some sort of smart search feature like Topcon, Sokkia, or Leica.  Oh, and allowing 3rd party software to run your equipment would be cool too...I guess I'm just a little frustrated...
Any comments from people actually using the setup described would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks a million

I am running the leica 1203, allegro and carlson survce.     I have been for 4 years.  It has exceeded all my expectations.  As far as topo shots,  it tracks like real time just as the RTK does.   You can also change the type of gun reading from standard to fast.  Never had any accruacy issues so fast is the word.   Stays locked well, powersearch is great,  ATR is for joysticking in tight quarters.  Does not chase cars.  The reflectorless mode is wonderful.  I havent ever got a bad shot.    I know this sounds like a leica commercial but its the truth! The only problem I have had is with the new updates from carlson.  I like the company but it seems like everytime I upgrade something stops working.   Make sure you get the lastest 2.5.  Last time I upgraded it was up to 2.518.  

I also use a 1203 with Carlson SurvCE 1.67.  For the work I do, I did not see a need to upgrade to the 2 series.  The price for the upgrade appeared to be the same as I paid for the original software and have not been told different.  If anyone that has used both the 1.67 and 2.? could tell me if I am missing anything, I would like to know.
Thanks
Ed Killough

I used a TCRP 1205 with SurveCE 1.6x on the AlegroCX. Loved it.

Less than 1% of the time it would chase a car. It will almost always find you in the leafy woods.

But I did have one situation where it could not communicate with me on a 450' well cut line. Maybe there was some local radio interference, but I don't know. Ususally it was fast and excellent.

Every once in awhile, while constr staking close to the gun, I had to trick it into finding me, but not a common occurance.

Highly recommended, never a bad shot. Great closures, Great package.


Oh, there was also a problem with using a 360 prism (for me) doing reciprocal trig leveling. The reciprocal would always be about 0.04' off. Did not have the problem with a circular prism.

When I used the 360, I would use the "come off a benchmark" feature. Let the gun shoot x and y of the BM, assign an elev to the pt, reshoot so the gun can calc it's HI (no measure-up), and then shoot again as check. Ran as good a loop as an automatic level that way, as long as I kept my turns around less than 350'.
Other guys like Dan Galbraith have methods for going longer and still keeping the accuracy with that gun.