Would like very much to know if anyone has mastered the art of 2 distances GNSS Hidden Point Measurement using the Leica GS18t & CS20 Disto?
In theory it all makes so much sense. Just beam the handy built-in laser from 2 GNSS shots and viola. Pack it up and go home. No need to bother taking the total station out of the truck to collect those inaccessible (to GNSS) shots anymore.
You would like to think.
The first time I tried it by holding the pole (forget the tilt thingy here) plumb, and trying to position the (attached) CS20 so that the beam was hitting the target plate while at the same time the prism pole frog eye bubble was centered. Sounds easy I guess, but I was never able to master it. If I glanced over at the frog eye the laser beam drifted off the target plate. Then, when I re-aimed the laser beam I glanced and the prism pole bubble was off.
I eventually gave up, and went back to the truck for a set of bi-pods legs to steady the prism pole. However, with the CS20 attached to the prism pole, and the prism pole now clamped to the bi-pod, and the bi-pod feet planted firmly into the ground, there is no way the position of the CS20 is going to be prepositioned ready for the laser bear to hit the target plate no matter how carefully you attempt to have everything thought out and dry aimed at the target before you reach that stage (starting up the laser beam) of the process. Therefore, once the laser beam is started, in order to able to get the beam onto the target plate you will have to either somehow loosen up clamps and twist the prism pole (or the CS20 holder), and then loosen the CS20 clamps so you can swing the CS20 up/down for the beam to hit the target plate.
I was finally able to get the shot, but would like to know if anyone has figured out an easier/quicker/more practical way(?). The slickest way would have been if Leica could have incorporated tilt correction into this type of shot. That way all you would have to do is keep the rod tip on the point while you struggled holding the laser beam on target. Sorry, but tilt correction doesn't help here.
Anybody have a better way? Thanks
