What Is a Reflectorless Total Station?

A reflectorless total station is a tool surveyors use to measure distance, angles, and elevation without needing a prism or target at the other end. That’s what makes it “reflectorless” – you just aim at the surface you want to measure and get results right away.

Types of Total Stations

First, let’s look at the different types of total stations.

There are two main types: traditional and robotic. Both do the same basic job but work slightly differently and are suitable for different kinds of fieldwork.

• Traditional Total Stations: Traditional total stations require a person to aim the instrument by hand. You (or your crew) manually turn the device to line it up with the target, whether that’s a prism or a point you’re measuring reflectorlessly.
• Robotic Total Stations: Robotic total stations can automatically track and follow a 360° prism, even if it’s moving. They’re remote-controlled, so one person can run the entire operation from a data collector. These are built for speed, precision, and solo fieldwork.

Read  Traditional or Robotic Total Station and Understanding Total Stations for a deeper dive.

Where Do Reflectorless Total Stations Fit In?

Both traditional and robotic total stations can come with reflectorless technology. It’s a feature, not a separate category.

That means whether you’re using a traditional model like the Stonex R25LR or a robotic unit, you can take advantage of reflectorless measurements if it has that feature.

How Are Reflectorless Total Stations Different from Traditional Total Stations?

Traditional total stations need a prism to work. A prism reflects the signal back to the total station, which then calculates the distance based on how long the signal takes to return. This method is accurate, but it means someone has to physically move and hold the prism at every point you want to measure.

That’s where reflectorless models shine. You don’t need a second person or a clear path to every spot. This is super helpful when you're:

• Measuring hard-to-reach places like cliffs, rooftops, or busy roads
• Working alone and need to save time
• Surveying areas that aren’t safe to access

With reflectorless tech, you can just point, shoot, and record.

How Does a Reflectorless Total Station Work?

A reflectorless total station measures distance using electronic distance measurement (EDM) with either a laser or infrared beam.

Think of it like a super-precise flashlight. You point it at a surface, the light hits it, and some of that light bounces back. The total station then calculates the distance to that object by measuring the time it took for the beam to return – as long as it’s in your line of sight.

The object could be:

• The side of a building
• A rock outcrop
• A power pole
• Even the ground

This line-of-sight method makes fieldwork faster and way more flexible.

Great for Hard-to-Reach or Risky Areas

Reflectorless total stations are especially useful when you can’t (or shouldn’t) get close to the spot you’re measuring. For example:

• On a construction site, you might need to grab a measurement across a deep trench.
• Along a highway, you can measure features from a safe spot off the road.
• In rough terrain, you can collect data from across a ravine or up a steep slope without climbing it.

Because you don’t need to place anything at the target point, reflectorless tech lets you work safely, solo, and a lot more efficiently. Tools like the Stonex R25LR even offer a reflectorless range of up to 1,000 meters so you can stay clear and still get the job done.

Accuracy and Limitations of Reflectorless Total Stations

Reflectorless total stations are fast, flexible, and easy to use, but like any tool, they have some trade-offs. Understanding their accuracy and limitations can help you decide when they’re the right fit for the job.

Which Total Station is More Accurate: Prism or Reflectorless?

Prism total stations are generally more accurate over long distances and give stronger, cleaner signals because the prism reflects light directly back to the device.

Reflectorless total stations are slightly less accurate over long distances or on certain surfaces. However, for many jobs (especially under 500 meters) the accuracy is more than good enough for general construction, topographic surveys, and layout work.

Some models, like the Stonex R25LR, offer both modes so that you can switch depending on the job. It gives you a 1,000-meter reflectorless range and even more with a prism.

What Affects the Accuracy of Reflectorless Total Stations?

Reflectorless measurements depend on the surface you're shooting at. Here are a few things that can throw off your results:

• Surface type: Light-colored, smooth, matte surfaces reflect better. Dark, shiny, or rough materials scatter or absorb the beam, reducing accuracy.
• Angle: Less of the beam bounces back if you’re hitting the surface at a steep angle. Straight-on shots give the best results.
• Distance: The longer the range, the more the beam spreads out and the weaker the return signal becomes. Accuracy drops slightly at the max range.

When Should You Use a Prism or Reflectorless Total Station?

Use a prism total station when:

• You need maximum accuracy over long distances.
• You’re working in bright sunlight or on poor-quality surfaces that scatter the laser.
• You have a crew member who can move the prism to each point.

Use a reflectorless total station when:

• You’re working solo or want to work faster.
• You need to measure hard-to-reach or unsafe locations – like rooftops, cliffs, or across water.
• You don’t want to set up a prism at every point.

Both tools are valuable. Reflectorless tech offers flexibility and speed, while prism-based setups give pinpoint precision when needed. Many surveyors use both depending on the site, the job, and the conditions.

Spotlight: Stonex R25LR Reflectorless Total Station

If you're looking for a total station that combines power, precision, and flexibility, the Stonex R25LR is a solid choice.

What Is the Stonex R25LR?

The R25LR is a traditional total station with built-in reflectorless technology. It’s designed for everyday survey work where speed, safety, and solo operation matter.

You can use it with a prism when you need top-tier accuracy or go reflectorless when you want to move fast and stay safe.

1000m Reflectorless Range: Why It Matters

The standout feature? A reflectorless range of up to 1,000 meters. That means you can measure long distances to buildings, poles, slopes, or ground features without placing a prism. It’s a big deal if you’re:

• Working in traffic-heavy or dangerous locations
• Surveying steep, uneven, or restricted terrain
• Flying solo and need to get more done in less time

You can stay in one place and still collect detailed, accurate measurements – even on the far side of a job site.

A Smarter, Safer Way to Survey

While prism-based models still have a place for ultra-precise or long-range work, the flexibility of reflectorless systems makes them an essential part of any modern surveyor toolkit.