Here is the hard truth: There is no specific "Leica TC 407 driver" in the way you think.
Windows does not need a driver to recognize the total station itself. Windows needs a driver to recognize the adapter you are using to convert the serial signal to USB.
Your computer treats the TC 407 like a modem. If you are using a standard 9-pin serial cable (DB9 to DB9) on an old industrial laptop with a native COM port, you need zero drivers. The problem arises because modern laptops lack serial ports.
There is no single "Leica TC 407 driver" download from Leica Geosystems, as the instrument is discontinued. Instead, users rely on three main solutions:
Follow these steps carefully to install and configure your Leica TC 407 driver setup on Windows 10/11.
Meta Description: Struggling to find or install the correct LEICA TC 407 driver? This comprehensive guide covers driver downloads, Windows 10/11 compatibility, serial-to-USB issues, and fixes for common communication errors.
The LEICA TC 407 driver is not a mythical piece of lost software—it is simply the combination of a robust USB-serial bridge driver (FTDI or Prolific) and the correct Windows communication settings. While the total station itself is aging, its data transfer capabilities remain fully functional with modern PCs if you follow the steps outlined above.
Do not let driver issues send a perfectly calibrated TC 407 to the scrap yard. With ten minutes of proper configuration, you can continue to extract raw data, upload coordinate files, and use your legacy total station for another decade of fieldwork.
Have a unique driver issue with your TC 407? Leave a comment in the Leica Surveying Community Forum (leica-geosystems.surveying.com) or contact a legacy hardware specialist like Bench-Mark Equipment.
Disclaimer: Leica Geosystems is a trademark of Hexagon AB. This article is for educational purposes. Always back up your instrument’s firmware before attempting driver modifications.
The Leica TC407 Go to product viewer dialog for this item. total station does not use a standalone "driver" for the device itself; instead, connectivity depends on a USB-to-Serial data cable and the associated ProLific or FTDI cable drivers. 1. Cable Driver Installation Leica TC407 units connect to modern PCs via a 5-pin Lemo-to-USB cable. Identify the Chip: Most cables use either the ProLific PL2303 Go to product viewer dialog for this item. or FTDI FT232R Go to product viewer dialog for this item. chipset.
Driver Source: Official drivers are typically available on the Leica myWorld portal or third-party repositories like DriverScape.
Manual Install (Windows 10/11): If the cable shows as an "Unknown Device" (often listed as FT232R USB UART Go to product viewer dialog for this item.
) in the Windows Device Manager, you must right-click it and select Update Driver, then point to the folder containing the extracted driver files. 2. Required Office Software
Drivers only enable the connection; you need software to actually transfer data:
Leica Geo Office (LGO) / LGO Tools: The standard legacy software for downloading GSI or IDEX files.
Leica Survey Office: An older alternative often used for simple data exchange.
Leica Infinity: The modern replacement for processing field data. 3. Communication Settings Software | Leica Geosystems
Connecting a legacy total station like the Leica TC 407 (part of the TPS400 series) to a modern computer requires specific software and drivers to bridge the gap between serial-based hardware and modern USB ports. This guide covers finding the right driver, setting up the connection, and managing data transfers. 1. Identifying the Driver You Need
The "driver" for a Leica TC 407 is typically the USB-to-Serial cable driver. Because the TC 407 uses a serial connection, most users utilize a GEV189 or similar USB cable that requires its own driver to create a "Virtual COM Port" on your PC. LEICA TC 407 driver
Official Leica Drivers: The most reliable source is the Leica Geosystems myWorld portal, where you can register your instrument to access specific firmware and cable drivers.
Third-Party Repositories: If official support is unavailable, platforms like DriverScape or DriverHub host version 1.1.0.0 drivers compatible with Windows 7 through Windows 11. 2. Required Software for Data Transfer
Installing the driver is only half the battle; you also need a communication utility to actually "talk" to the TC 407. GSI ONLINE for Leica TPS and DNA - Engineering Surveyor
Connecting your Leica TC 407 total station to a modern computer requires specific LEICA TC 407 drivers to bridge the gap between the instrument's serial communication and contemporary USB ports. Because this hardware relies on older RS232 protocols, the "driver" usually refers to the USB-to-Serial cable driver (such as for the GEV189 or GEV267 cables) and the data management software that recognizes the device. Essential Software and Drivers
To successfully transfer survey data, you must install both the hardware communication drivers and the interface software:
USB Cable Drivers: Most users connect via a GEV189, GEV195, or GEV218 cable. You can find official downloads for these drivers on the Leica Geosystems Support Portal or through regional distributors like Geo-Spektr.
Leica Geo Office (LGO) / Leica Survey Office: This is the primary software for managing data from the TPS400 series. While older versions like Survey Office were designed for Windows XP, newer versions of Leica Geo Office Tools are compatible with Windows 10 and 11.
Alternative Utility Drivers: If you are using a generic USB-to-serial adapter, you may need Prolific or FTDI drivers, which are often available through DriverScape. How to Install the LEICA TC 407 Driver
Prepare the Cable: Before plugging in the cable, download the driver corresponding to your cable model (e.g., GEV189).
Run as Administrator: For Windows 7 through Windows 11, right-click the driver installer and select "Run as Administrator" to ensure proper registry updates.
Connect the Hardware: Connect the serial end to the port underneath the TC 407 screen and the USB end to your computer.
Verify COM Port: Open the Windows Device Manager. Under "Ports (COM & LPT)," look for your cable. Note the assigned port number (e.g., COM3). Data Transfer Setup
Once the driver is installed, you must align the communication settings on both the instrument and the PC:
Программное обеспечение к тахеометрам Leica - Гео-Спектр
To set up the driver and connection for a Leica TC 407 total station, you generally need to bridge the gap between the instrument's older serial interface and a modern computer. Because this model uses a serial connection, most users utilize a USB-to-Serial adapter and specific communication software like Leica Survey Office Leica Geo Office 1. Hardware Requirements Data Cable : A standard Leica Lemo-to-RS232 serial cable. USB-to-Serial Adapter
: Since most modern PCs lack a DB9 serial port, you will likely need a USB adapter.
: Use an adapter with a high-quality chipset (like Prolific or FTDI) to ensure stable data transfer. 2. Driver Installation Adapter Driver
: Install the driver specifically for your USB-to-Serial adapter. Once plugged in, identify the assigned COM port (e.g., COM3) in your computer's Device Manager Leica Communication Software : Download and install Leica Survey Office Leica Geo Office (LGO)
. These programs include the necessary "Data Exchange Manager" to talk to the TC 407. 3. Connection Settings Here is the hard truth: There is no
To establish a successful "handshake" between the PC and the TC 407, the settings on both must match exactly: Recommended Value Assigned COM port (e.g., COM3) Device/Series TC 400 or TPS 400 Series 19,200 (Commonly used) 4. Data Transfer Process Uploading Data : The TC 407 often requires data in GSI format Data Construction Manager
within your Leica software to convert CSV/Excel coordinates into a GSI file before uploading. Downloading Data : Open the Data Exchange Manager
, select your COM port, and navigate to the "Jobs" folder on the instrument to drag and drop files to your local PC. 5. Troubleshooting Common Issues No Connection
: Ensure the instrument is turned on and the cable is firmly seated in the port underneath the screen. "Port Busy" Error
: Close any other software that might be trying to use that COM port. Cable Interference
: For long-term external power use, ensure your supply cable has a ferrite core
(Spare part #703 707) to avoid electromagnetic interference. required for this model? AI responses may include mistakes. Learn more
User Manual TC (R) 403/405/407/410: English | PDF | Ascii | Surveying
To connect a Leica TC 407 total station to your computer, you primarily need the USB cable driver corresponding to the specific data cable you are using (typically the GEV189, GEV195, or GEV218). 1. Essential Drivers & Software The drivers required depend on your hardware setup: Cable Drivers:
GEV189 / GEV195 / GEV218: Most common for this series. Drivers are available for Windows XP through Windows 10.
GEV267 / GEV268 / GEV269: Alternative data cables requiring separate drivers. Communication Software:
Leica Survey Office or Leica Geo Office (LGO) Tools: Used to manage the connection and "Data Exchange Manager".
USB to Serial Adapters: If using an older serial cable, you will need the specific driver for the adapter itself (e.g., Prolific or FTDI). 2. Where to Download
Official Portal: The most reliable source is the Leica myWorld portal, where you can register your instrument to access official firmware and drivers.
Support Sites: Detailed driver lists and software patches (like Leica Instrument Tools) can often be found on specialized dealer support pages like SCCS Surveying Knowledge Base.
Third-Party Repositories: Sites like Driver Scape host legacy versions (v1.1.0.0) compatible with older Windows versions. 3. Installation Steps
Install the driver first before plugging the cable into the PC.
Connect the cable to the instrument's port (underneath the screen) and the USB port on your PC. Open Leica Survey Office and select Data Exchange Manager.
Click Update Devices; your instrument should appear under a assigned COM port (e.g., "TCR 407"). The LEICA TC 407 driver is not a
Note: For modern Windows (10/11), ensure you run the installation as an Administrator to prevent COM port detection issues.
Do you need the specific pinout diagram for the cable or help setting the Baud rate on the instrument to match your PC?
Программное обеспечение к тахеометрам Leica
To connect a Leica TC 407 Total Station to a modern computer for data transfer, you primarily need the drivers for the interface cable, as the instrument itself communicates via serial protocols. 1. Identify Your Interface Cable
The "driver" you need depends on the cable connecting your Leica TC 407 to your PC: GEV267 / GEV268 / GEV269: The current standard USB data cable for TCR/TC 407 series. GEV189 / GEV195 / GEV218: Older versions of the USB data download cable. Serial Cable + USB Adapter:
If using a standard serial cable (RS232), you will need the specific driver for your USB-to-Serial adapter (often Prolific or FTDI based). Sunbelt Sales 2. Required Drivers and Software
For a successful connection, you should install the following: USB Cable Drivers:
These allow Windows to recognize the cable as a Virtual COM Port. GEV267/268/269 v3.00: Compatible with Windows 7, 8, and 10. GEV189/195/218 v1.70: Standard for older setups. Leica Instrument Tools:
A utility used to configure and support Leica instruments, including data handling. Leica Survey Office / Data Exchange Manager:
The primary software used to export measurements or import fixed points (GSI or DXF formats). Sunbelt Sales 3. Installation Guide (Windows 10/11)
If your computer does not automatically recognize the cable, follow these steps to manually point it to the driver: Plug in the cable Device Manager
Locate the device (often listed as "FT232R" or "USB Serial Port") under Other Devices Ports (COM & LPT) Right-click the device and select Update Driver Browse my computer for drivers
and select the folder where you extracted the Leica USB drivers. Once installed, the device should appear as a Serial USB Converter with an assigned COM port (e.g., COM3). 4. Data Transfer Setup
After installing the drivers, configure your software to match the instrument's settings:
Leica Geosystem file format – GSI file | Jaison's Blog - WordPress.com
The Leica TC 407 is a legendary total station in the surveying and construction industries. Known for its rugged reliability and precision, this instrument has been a trusted companion for thousands of surveyors worldwide. However, as technology has evolved, one recurring challenge has emerged: connecting the TC 407 to a modern computer.
Unlike modern total stations that support Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, the Leica TC 407 communicates via a serial (RS-232) interface. To transfer data (coordinates, survey points, or firmware updates), you need a specific piece of software bridge: the LEICA TC 407 driver.
If you have ever searched for this driver, you have likely encountered outdated GeoCom links, cryptic forum posts, or complete dead ends. This article will demystify everything about the Leica TC 407 driver—what it is, where to get it, how to install it, and how to fix common connection errors.
If you cannot get the LEICA TC 407 driver to work after hours of trying, consider these alternatives: