The Equipment of a Land Surveyor
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Have you ever wondered about that guy you see standing on the side of the road with a piece of equipment on top of a tripod looking device? Have you thought that maybe he is taking pictures as you drive by? Well, that <a title=Land surveyor at Dryco! Href=http://www.drycosurveying.com/resources/land-surveyor.html>land surveyor</a> was probably part of a <a title=Surveying company at Dryco! Href=http://www.drycosurveying.com/resources/surveying-company.html>surveying company</a> hired to complete a specific task, probably for the city. Even more importantly, that equipment that they are using to complete the surveying task is very sophisticated and very expensive.
Over the years, the technology that land surveyors have utilized has change considerably. In the early days crude tools were used to map and survey and create boundaries. At first, long chains were used to measure by being pulled taut. The chain had to be held level in order to be accurate. Obviously you can see why this method is still not used today when we have much more sophisticated ways to get things done.
With the introduction of the surveyor’s compass and theodolite, the accuracy of surveying increased significantly. The surveyor’s compass is a brass circle and an index with a compass on the circle. Used to measure horizontal angles, the compass provided bulk. The theodolite could measure both vertical and horizontal angles, thus was favored over the compass. Today, better versions of this device are improved with the addition of an electronic distance measurement device. Known now as total stations they provide a lot of options in one simple tool.
By creating a purely electronic system and by integrating both computer and software into the total station, the accuracy and usability has greatly improved. GPS is now utilized as well. By utilizing this more sophisticated equipment the speed of surveying has greatly increased. Of course, contributions from science continue to be valuable and will always increase the equipment and computer aspects of the total stations.
While quality equipment is important to a good land survey, the importance of accuracy still lies with the land surveyor. Equipment can only get so far and the real accuracy is still an art and a science. It takes skill in order to complete an accurate survey. With proper training to develop the skills necessary to complete a proper boundary survey and with sophisticated and up-to-date equipment, a good land survey can and will be completed.
Well, there you have it. You no longer have to wonder if the guy on the side of the road is taking your picture with a funny camera on a tripod. The total stations used by land surveyors are commonly thought of when people think of land surveyors. However, now you can understand the sophisticated electronics that goes into creating that type of equipment. Utilizing measurement tools, levels, a compass and GPS, the total station is a quality piece of equipment. Hopefully the guy on the other end is well trained as well. And hopefully when you pass by on the road you can tell he is using his skill and the science he has learned to create a perfect boundary.
About the Author: Rebecca Beckett is a freelance writer for Innuity. If you would like more information about land surveyor or surveying company go to Dryco Surveying Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/careers-articles/the-equipment-of-a-land-surveyor-888495.html
Survey instruments have developed consistently to fulfill the demand for more accurate reliable survey data.
We employ Leica 1200+ systems. With Automatic Target Recognition our surveyor can work without an assistant, this reduces costs and increases our productivity. Site features can be measured up to 1000m away; this is a valuable tool for adjacent buildings and inaccessible features on sites.
Combined with GPS the 1200+ gives us greater flexibility on the multiple services we provide.
If only I had one of these instruments when I started surveying!!