Surveying measures distances, elevations, and angles. While the art of surveying has remained relatively unchanged for the last three decades, the tools available have greatly improved making the job more accurate. Technological advances in electronics for measuring equipment and GPS positioning have greatly increased the surveyor’s productivity. Today’s surveyors have access to greatly advanced tools, according to LandSurveyors.com. The days of chains and rods are in the past for the modern surveyor.
Many Modern Tools are Available
Modern survey equipment for sale includes hand-held controllers, total stations, data radios, digital levels and GPS equipment. With modern equipment, surveyors can make measurements and report the results with much greater accuracy and speed. Technology has changed, but the principles remain the same. Let’s consider a few of these innovations.
The Total Station
The electronic total station is light, compact and a combination instrument that can measure distance, angles process date, and display and store data. It has keyboard controls, a digital display that shows values for height, angles and distance. Even distant objects can be measured accurately. It is a “total” station.
Handheld GPS Receivers
These hand-held computers receive signals from globally positioned satellites accurately displaying coordinates and maps of the surveyor’s location.
Automatic Levels
The automatic level contains optical compensation which maintains a level line-of-site even if the instrument is tilted. The modern surveyor can set up the level very quickly and need not worry about releveling.
When searching for survey equipment for sale, be sure to look for the latest technology. Remote sensing equipment and satellite imagery are improving at an astounding rate and becoming more cost effective. New technologies such as 3D scanning, LIDAR – Light Detection and Ranging radar, and drone technology continue to improve the capabilities of the surveyor. Who knows what advances will be on the surveyor’s radar tomorrow? Learn more by visiting Frontier Precision.