EQUIPMENT FOR PRELIMINARY SURVEYING
EQUIPMENT FOR PRELIMINARY SURVEYING
(OP)
I'm starting to do more site plan work. As such I usually will, or will have the property owner, enlist the services of a surveyor during the process. I am finding that I need more and more preliminary survey work (locating preliminary control to show the owner alternative drive locations, some preliminary topo on the drives, alternative septic field locations, alternative house locations, etc..., and locating some existing features. I'm looking at purchasing a used instrument for surveying, such as a transit or theodolite. Any ideas on what to look for at a modist price ?
Be assured, eventually a surveyor will be brought into the site plan process to do the detailed and accurate survey work.
Be assured, eventually a surveyor will be brought into the site plan process to do the detailed and accurate survey work.





RE: EQUIPMENT FOR PRELIMINARY SURVEYING
http://
The brand that best meets your criteria will most likely be "David White". Be sure have set aside money to have any used instrument professionally calibrated.
Many used survey instruments are sold for their collecting value as antiques - not really intended for modern field use.
www.SlideRuleEra.net
RE: EQUIPMENT FOR PRELIMINARY SURVEYING
Thanks for the post. I have looked there before but will focus a little more on the "David White" instruments.
RE: EQUIPMENT FOR PRELIMINARY SURVEYING
We use the Google Earth site to print out photos for preliminary work of the type you describe.
RE: EQUIPMENT FOR PRELIMINARY SURVEYING
Good advise, thanks. Bottom line, I'll still be dependent on the Surveyor for accurate info.
RE: EQUIPMENT FOR PRELIMINARY SURVEYING
RE: EQUIPMENT FOR PRELIMINARY SURVEYING
Google Earth is often accurate to inches!
RE: EQUIPMENT FOR PRELIMINARY SURVEYING
How large an area are we talking about? How many observation points?
How much do you want to spend?
Do you want an all electronic solution (all you do is push buttons) or are you willing to re-enter some data?
How many intermediate steps between data in the field and finished drawings are you willing to tolerate?
Do you want to be able to work alone or are you willing to take a rod man out with you?
I’d never go back to doing this with a transit and chain but you could get started doing it that way for less than a thousand or so. Very time consuming, lots of sources of error and many intermediate steps and calculations before you have something in AutoCAD.
There are a lot of good used total stations out there that require two people to operate and they can record data, put it into an electronic format for you (CSV or excel table sometimes to AutoCAD point plot files). These will give you millimeter accuracy and produce CSV files that you will have to convert to an AutoCAD file to start your drawing.
Alternatively there are some GPS units out there that one person can operate and that will also produce the same sort of data files but only require one person to operate and do not require lines of sight from the station to the target.
In either case expect to pay $5,000 to $10,000 for a used set depending on what, how much storage and other optional equipment. New or millimeter accuracy GPS will be more than that.
The advice about having the equipment checked and calibrated upon purchasing and periodically after is an essential step. Bad data is much worse than no data since you will start design and perhaps construction (or purchasing material) and then have to re-do some things once the good data starts coming in. Never skimp on the initial data collection with the hope of fixing things later. It’s false economy.
Rick Kitson MBA P.Eng
Construction Project Management
From conception to completion
www.kitsonengineering.com
RE: EQUIPMENT FOR PRELIMINARY SURVEYING
Lot of good questions, here's what I'm thinking:
-Accuracy, is a tough question, probably the best I can get. I 'm hoping for 6 inches on distances and 20 seconds max on angles. Remember I'm still using a surveyor for final products.
-Areas may be 50 foot wide corridors that go on for 100's to 1000's of feet. Also up to acre sites for peliminary topo and picking up exist. features.
-Ideally I'd like to spend under $1000, is that realistic??
-Electronic solutions would be great but probably not in the budget unless I can get used equipment (ie ebay)
-bottom line,although I'd like to plot data right from the instrument I think I'll be taking field notes for now and sitting at the computer. I will need to weigh the add'l time on the computer vs. the add'l cost for a better unit, like I said $1000 max at this point.
-I'll probably working with a rod man. Possibly using EDM instead of chaining.
I wouldn't mind GPSing the data and preliminary drive alignments but I think the cost will be to high. Also, I agree with the comments on having equipment checked and calibrated, especially if I have to pickup a used instrument.
Thanks everyone, all good info to keep me thinking.
RE: EQUIPMENT FOR PRELIMINARY SURVEYING
Check e-bay and local suppliers for prices and availability of equipment.
You could also rent on an as needed basis.
Renting has advantage of no capital cost, calibrated equipment always and the ability to try different equipment before making a purchase decision. The disadvantage is that if you have a lot of work it gets expensive (usually around 10% capital cost per month 1% per day), equipment may not be available the day you need it, the rental place may not be close or easy to get to and you may have to get familiar with many types of different equipment since the same equipment may not be available when you need it.
Rick Kitson MBA P.Eng
Construction Project Management
From conception to completion
www.kitsonengineering.com
RE: EQUIPMENT FOR PRELIMINARY SURVEYING
RE: EQUIPMENT FOR PRELIMINARY SURVEYING
Besides, you may want to check with your local licensing board for restrictions on surveying for the unlicensed.
But if you really want to learn how to crank angles, well then , good luck.
H.
RE: EQUIPMENT FOR PRELIMINARY SURVEYING
RE: EQUIPMENT FOR PRELIMINARY SURVEYING
RE: EQUIPMENT FOR PRELIMINARY SURVEYING
RE: EQUIPMENT FOR PRELIMINARY SURVEYING