Don't Rock the Rod!

You can't be rocking the rod with a digital level.

But with an optical level - the rodman can be inattentive, a rod level can be out of adjustment, or, most commonly, a rod level just isn't available at the time. I always have the rodman rock the rod, always have.

So, given that the circumstances you describe can be overcome there would be no difference.

No difference. Most people prefer not to do it, and I understand that.

I began surveying at a time when a rod level wasn't really a choice. The choices were to rock the rod, or plumb it by eyeballing it relative to a nearby building wall or by balancing it. And a closure of under a tenth was good enough. So rocking is how I learned it and I have got so I can get the number by the 2nd or 3rd pass.

Nonetheless I greatly prefer using a digital level.

If you have a rod level, and your rodman uses it, and the bubble is adjusted correctly, then yes, the rod level is the better choice. If you just grabbed the rod out of the back of the truck for a quick shot and the rodman is balanced on a rock, rocking the rod back and forth takes out the chance of the rodman leaning on a slope, or the wind pushing the rod too far backwards, etc. It also can help if the I-man is having trouble choosing which line to hold, he can better decide which fits the crosshairs best. As mentioned, it does not work on digital levels, those need to be held still.

Ive always rocked the rod, using a bubble is fine also and a bubble in concert with a level makes it trival to check its adjustment, just like a range pole bubble in concert with an instrument. If a rodman and instrumentman cant figure out how to check the bubble in the field as they survey they shouldnt be surveying.

Thank you everyone. I respect your preferences.

MightyMoe, post: 389545, member: 700 wrote: If a rodman and instrumentman cant figure out how to check the bubble in the field as they survey they shouldnt be surveying.

This skill is much rarer that it should be. That's just a fact. Even among licensed people. Just sayin'.

I preferred using a rod level and a target, especially when setting bluetops or redheads.
Rockin the rod is fine when the rodman places the correct edge of the rod on the point.
Have not used a level since the mid 80s, TS all the way.........

Mark Mayer, post: 389548, member: 424 wrote: This skill is much rarer that it should be. That's just a fact. Even among licensed people. Just sayin'.

hmmmm, I suppose, but since it's in your face as you work..........

Back in the rolling hills of the Midwest it was common to get a plus of a foot followed by a minus of 24. Those tall glass rods would introduce error pretty quick if you just try holding it plumb with a bubble. When you rocked the rod you had to do it so the sections hit vertical all at once. It also made it easier for the Iman to read.
A lot of the detail in our Profession is founded in sound practice. Applied to new equipment or different situations it may or may not make sense...

I've seen over the years the only rodmen that were proficient at rocking the rod were instrument personnel. It helps to understand WTF you're doing. The only people I know that still rock the rod have grey hair.

We keep a rod bubble handy to eliminate the aggravation.

The Sokkia digital levels do have a wave and read function can be used to 50meters.

Paden cash you got the gray hair covered!

Oh, oh. "Prodigal son" and "slay the fatted calf" go together. Ain't a whole lot of lean on this carcass.

Edit: Or more precisely................

http://biblehub.com/bsb/luke/15.htm&apos ;">The Parable of the Prodigal Son
‰Û?22 But the father said to his servants, ‰Û÷Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 http://biblehub.com/greek/5342.htm&apos ;">Bring http://biblehub.com/greek/3588.htm&apos ;">the http://biblehub.com/greek/4618.htm&apos ;">fatted http://biblehub.com/greek/3448.htm&apos ;">calf http://biblehub.com/greek/2380.htm&apos ;">and kill it. http://biblehub.com/greek/5315.htm&apos ;">Let us feast http://biblehub.com/greek/2165.htm&apos ;">and celebrate. 24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again! He was lost and is found!‰Ûª So they began to celebrate.‰Û?

I don't rock the rod and I have my assistant learn to balance the rod. I understand that there are areas that require a huge delta in rod readings, but if you're using a fiberglass rod for leveling, you're not worried about closing within a few hundredths. If you're worried about a good closure, you're not using a 25' fiberglass rod.....

As a personal preference I always like to read a rocking rod. To me, there is something that triggers my brain to read and reread when the lines are moving instead of being static.

Rocking the rod is as natural to me as sighting the bottom of the rod! Digital levels are great but then your relying on bubble that 99% won't ever check...... each have their place in the field.....

A level rod doesn't work if you're reading stadia; but then who reads stadia anymore?

The rod needs to be perpendicular to the zenith, or you will get a bad reading.....

"The rod needs to be perpendicular to the zenith..."

Like horizontal?