Notifications
Clear all

HI Hobby Surveyor Wannabe Here

5 Posts
4 Users
0 Reactions
22 Views
(@rafagus)
Posts: 5
Member
Topic starter
 

Hi group! I've always been interested in navigation and compasses. I collected a commercial pilots license and have done blue water sailing. During COVID, I decided to try and figure out my property lines. I got a decent compass and started reading/playing. I've now picked up a used theodolite and tripod. I'm curious how accurate or not I am with a compass compared to the theodolite. I've got many questions 🙂

See ya in the forum,

Raf

 
Posted : January 30, 2022 4:53 pm
(@mark-mayer)
Posts: 3363
Member
 

Compasses measure directions. Theodolite measure angles. It's different. Theodolites come in a range of precisions but typically you can expect angles in the +/-20" range (+/-0.0055?ø) or better if handled correctly. Whereas a compass might yield bearings +/-2?ø.?ÿ

 
Posted : January 30, 2022 6:23 pm
 Joe
(@one-cup-o-joe)
Posts: 240
Supporter
 

Find a used beginning surveying book, should be good information about Compasses and Theodolites.

 
Posted : January 31, 2022 12:51 pm
(@bill93)
Posts: 9837
Member
 

Any book intended as a first course will do. My favorites are Wolf & Ghilani for recent, and Davis, Foote, & Kelly for a view of older practices (more on compass work).

 
Posted : January 31, 2022 12:58 pm
(@rafagus)
Posts: 5
Member
Topic starter
 

@bill93

Thanks for the book authors, I've got the one by Wolf & Ghilani ordered.

 
Posted : January 31, 2022 8:13 pm