Trimble Unveils State-of-the-Art Surveying Tool

The Trimble S6 Total Station Sets a New Standard for Optical Surveying

SUNNYVALE, Calif., Jan. 17, 2005 –Trimble (NASDAQ: TRMB) introduced today the Trimble® S6 Total Station, an advanced surveying instrument based on a completely new design platform. The cable-free Trimble S6 Total Station includes innovative features never before available for surveying applications – Trimble MagDrive™, SurePoint™ and MultiTrack™ technologies – providing surveyors with a versatile business tool that can improve performance, accuracy, and productivity.

“Trimble customers provided the feedback and day-to-day surveying scenarios that fueled the creation of the new Trimble S6 Total Station,” said Jürgen Kliem, general manager of Trimble’s Survey Division. “Based on their input, our engineers and in-house surveyors have revolutionized the optical total station, offering surveyors a dynamic solution that answers their real-world needs today while also equipping them for tomorrow’s challenges.” 

The unique advantages of the Trimble S6 Total Station result from a combination of innovative technology, ergonomics, software and above all, accuracy. With significant advances in these areas, the Trimble S6 Total Station isn’t just a surveying instrument, it’s a business tool.

With exclusive MagDrive servo technology, the new Trimble S6 Total Station redefines instrument performance with highly integrated servos and angle sensors to increase speed and accuracy. Trimble MagDrive technology silently turns the instrument at high speeds – more than 100 degrees per second – to provide ultra-smooth control for precision pointing.

The Trimble S6 also features SurePoint accuracy assurance for consistent and reliable positioning accuracy. SurePoint automatically corrects pointing and measurements even in difficult conditions, guarding against the sinking, vibration and handling that can affect an instrument after setup.

Trimble’s new MultiTrack technology combines passive prism tracking with active Target ID to provide flexibility and performance. The Trimble S6 instrument will lock and track a wide variety of conventional prisms to ranges of 500 meters and more, expanding surveyors’ options for utilizing the instrument in a wide variety of surveying tasks. With the active Target ID option, Trimble S6 users will find and lock to the correct target. Surveyors can use multiple prisms on a site and lock onto the one they need, which saves time by eliminating false target locks.

The Trimble S6 also features Direct Reflex (DR) technology, which allows measurement without a prism to 300 meters or more. Trimble DR technology provides safe, accurate and fast measurements of hard-to-reach or unsafe targets.
 
In addition, the new total station is completely cable-free. Its Lithium-ion internal smart battery provides six hours operating time in Robotic mode and allows users to easily check how much power each battery holds. The multi-battery holder contains three batteries, eliminating the need to change or recharge batteries mid-job.

The Trimble S6 Total Station also features a new detachable controller, the Trimble CU controller. Powered by Windows CE.Net operating system, the Trimble CU controller provides surveyors with a bright, full-color touchscreen display; large, secure data storage with 256 MB of onboard memory; and a choice of Trimble’s powerful field application software. As part of Trimble’s Integrated Surveying® system, the Trimble CU controller also supports Trimble GPS surveying solutions.

The Trimble S6 Total Station will be available in three configurations – Servo, Autolock® and Robotic – and is upgradeable as business needs change. All components of the Trimble S6 system support the user’s upgrade path, from the instrument to field software, which protects the user’s investment long-term.

The Trimble S6 Total Station is expected to be available beginning February 2005 through Trimble’s survey dealer network.

About Trimble’s Engineering and Construction Business
Trimble, a world leader in GPS, construction lasers, robotic total stations and machine control solutions, is creating a broad range of innovative solutions that changes the way construction work is done. The Engineering and Construction business of Trimble is focusing on the development of technology and solutions in the core areas of surveying, construction and infrastructure. From concept to completion, Trimble’s integrated systems streamline jobs and improve productivity.

About Trimble
Trimble is a leading innovator of Global Positioning System (GPS) technology. In addition to providing advanced GPS components, Trimble augments GPS with other positioning technologies as well as wireless communications and software to create complete customer solutions. Trimble’s worldwide presence and unique capabilities position the Company for growth in emerging applications including surveying, automobile navigation, machine guidance, asset tracking, wireless platforms, and telecommunications infrastructure. Founded in 1978 and headquartered in Sunnyvale, Calif., Trimble has more than 2,000 employees in more than 20 countries worldwide.

For an interactive look at company news and products, visit Trimble’s Web site at http://www.trimble.com.