SECO bipod legs seem to be adjustable in 13' increments
I got fed up enough with the thumb adjusters a few years ago and made prototype fine adjustment attachments for the bipod legs. They're large and clunky, but they work well enough that I never got beyond the prototype, I'm still using them in the field.
Climate change can be a scary concept, which can lead to productive conversations on the topic being shut down before they even begin. There is a huge difference between alarm and alarmism.
No, climate change should not be scary. It has been happening for millions of years, will continue for millions more and is moderately understood by the actual scientific community. No, productive conversation is shut down by the blame not the change. If you set your alarm for 6:30 every day, but it goes off at 3:00 each morning, how long will you continue to use that alarm?
Most of the people who post here are deeply attune to the practicality of nature, fairly intelligent, have a sarcastic sense of humor and do a good job of keeping politics out of their post. Keeping politics and faith out of our post while expounding our thoughts and beliefs about science, relationships, economy, business, life and self; is extremely difficult.
I despise climate alarmist. I don’t know where your nameless lives, but according to them, you could be dead or at least starving by now. THAT is what leads to shutting down productive conversations.
I started my life as an environmentalist, until I went off to school and met one. Then I must be a conservationist (land not party), but I am willing to compromise if it benefits the planet. Then I must be a conservative (party not land), but others tell me I don’t believe what I believe.
Poking fun at those who alarm is not to diminish nor disbelieve activities that denigrate our plant, but to expose them as phony hijackers. They are blind to the cause and accuse the result. They address the problem as ours, but is often their own. Their remedy will reward our enemy, ruin us and not change the ratio of hydrocarbons in the atmosphere.
In today’s environment, no one confuses the phase ‘Climate Alarmist’ with the definition of ‘one who warns’. A ‘Climate Alarmist’ is one who believes in using alarmism to persuade others; to do what they would otherwise not do or to do what the alarmist wants them to do; often to the direct deference of what the alarmer warns about.
If you meant to indicate that there are good climate alarmists? I would love to discuss climate change with them, even though you might have meant to say that that is a conversation I could have shut down.
There are no politics in this post.
Leica makes a GSR2 Dual-Strut Survey Bipod Support for Plumbing Poles
I do have a newer Dutch Hill carbon fiber bipod for using with a carbon fiber pole,
Now that I use GNSS about half of the time, I need to revise my ‘pole’ situation. I am down to adding the Leica bipod to my total station setup, or have a separate Dutch Hill rtk pole setup. How quick and easy does the Leica bipod separate from the pole? How quick and easy does the Dutch Hill bipod separate from the pole? What is the weight difference? Do you like having two separate, or do you wish one setup worked for all? Any expounding would be appreciated. Do you ever have to look up to remind yourself which system you are currently running, or is that just an ‘old’ thing? Are you using the Dutch Hill fixed, slide, pin or snap-lock pole? I hope I have not asked for too much, it’s just that you use the two setups that I have come down to deciding on.
Scientists believe that human activity increased concern over climate change in the 1830s. Not millions of years ago. In 1988, global warming and the depletion of the ozone layer became increasingly prominent in the international public debate and political agenda.
Historic boundaries and conservation efforts.
I don't believe my 2 tsp of kerosene is going to kill an African penguin in California. But, I am concerned about labels that cause cancer in California, but not Arizona. It makes surveying the line between California, and adjoining states very critical.
So, let's fix those Bipods!
Nate
@jon-payne I think Nate is talking about putting glue on the threads of the machine screws that hold the legs onto the bracket. Mine have lock washers but they do back out over time. Next time I have to take an Allen wrench to mine I think I'll add a bit of blue Loctite to the threads and then adjust them so they move freely but not so loose that they have enough freeplay to make the rod unstable.
@john-putnam Trimble's bipods come with the tripod style foot you're talking about. I find that it snags worse than the washers so I take them off and switch to the washers. I probably have a couple of sets around here somewhere.
@stephen-ward another problem I had with the Trimble bipods with the “foot” was it seemed it was always turned the wrong way to step in.
Personally for GNSS unless I'm doing static the spade plus a brace stick/stake same length as the spade (what I thing you guys call lath?) held at 90° are good enough to hold pole as stable as bipod for a minute or so and for total station work is also fine. Much easier to fine adjust and doesn't bang on the pole when walking between marks.
They also snag up in the storage bag worse than washer style too.
Here is a different kind of problem I am having with one of the bipod legs that sticks when trying to extend it. I've included a picture of the mechanism. It is a wedge shaped anchor and a piece of plastic that pushes against the outer tube when the button is released.
The piece of plastic is supposed to remain fixed while the wedge moves, however both will move with the button depressed. It is because it is missing a split pin or spring pin holding the piece of plastic in the tube when the wedge operates.
The spring pin is extremely small (about 2 millimeters diameter) and I am sure it will be hard to find a replacement.
Historic boundaries and conservation efforts.
@stephen-ward It is not that the washers snag, it is that you can't get them stable in the compost. The back of the washer stop the leg from setting
how many hours of use on them?
it's probably just worn out and needs replacement parts.
SECO has tons of parts, and I've had a few local vendors hook me up for spares lying about or just order the replacement parts from the manf.
they definitely need a maintenance plan for long term use
I disassemble the legs and clean them with a gun cleaning kit. Finish the inside of the legs with boiling water. Ours have aluminum cams which I scuff lightly with an 800 grit sanding block. Final wipe everything with a white abrasive cloth until it comes off clean. Replace teflon washers at the leg pivots if they fail. Finicky allen bolts get a dab of movable locktite.
I do not lube the legs. I have only had to do one set twice after it sank in a canal. Of course I vacuum the back of the truck and dont drive around with the box open. Dust is enemy number two...
As with everything, local conditions will require a different approach.
I purchased the equipment three years ago. It is not a SECO, but I imagine they might be similar. Thank you for the suggestion.
I did find spring pins at the hardware store, but the hole in the nylon piece is worn where the old pin worked its way out. I have several spring pins now. Perhaps I'll try drilling a new hole and adding another spring pin.
Maybe one of those invisible pins will work.
Historic boundaries and conservation efforts.
BIPODS!!??!!
You guys and your fancy doo-dads! I remember back in the day; using a couple lath to keep the pole steady.
Next thing your know; you'll be posting about how great email is!
@dougie for angle sets and rtk I prefer two sticks, often cut from the trees around me. I can't hold steady for a 15 or 20 minute static session, and my eyes won't stay focused that long either. At this rate it 'depends' could take on a whole new meaning too as I generally pee every 15 minutes..lol
Ha!
the plunger/block/plug is a replacement parts, if you're set up with a drill press you're probably good to go but it's more work to drill than the replacement parts.
I'm not licensed yet and love to fix things and be frugal but I have learned more about diminishing returns than I want to admit...
but dammit I can fix things!!!
I might as well just buy one then. I could make it worse trying to fix it.
Historic boundaries and conservation efforts.