kickstand.....worth it?

Way worth it. I've worn out several, never broke one. Usually the spring steel starts to lose some of it's spring and the legs start to dangle too far from the rod when carrying it. The one I'm using now I took one of the girls hair bands and wrapped it around the top several times and that seems to keep it tight. Easy to set down with one hand and you can just pick it up. If I had to use a bipod I'd find something else to do. Only drawback is that they are a little bit short to use for GPS if you want the antenna at 2m. I always set mine at 6', and it's not overbalanced.

Yes, I would hate to work solo without mine. I have been using mine for 7 years.

The post above is spot on about them getting a little loose over time, and you have to watch it when running a 2 meter gps rover.

If mine were to break, or i had to outfit another solo crew, I would not hesitate to buy another one.

Works well with light prism and rod below 7'. A must for one man surveying. My 2 cents, Jp

Now I have my weekend project!

That is a good DIY project. With all the spare parts I've got laying around.

Thanks!

Ha! I was just trying to remember the name of this product. I need to order one for my new S6 setup!

You told me to get one 9 years ago when I bought your Geodimeter, Randy. Not ordering one that day is about the only regret I've had. Well, that might be overstating it, but not by much.

Andy

I just use a bi-pod. I like the added benefit of a steady bubble during the shot.

Hate to say I told you so. The original ones were called a Rod Rest, made by Gardener Engineering, I think. Last one I bought came from Lo-Ink.

What controller and software you using with the S6? How you like it so far?

I actually will hang a bipod on the rod as well if I need really steady shots. Don't even take the rod rest off, it's not any more cumbersome that way than a bipod alone. I also took a 4" piece of solid pipe that just fit inside my rod and slid it into the bottom of the rod so I can crank the screw tight on the bottom and don't have to keep tightening it. Raised my low rod height a little but works fine.

> I actually will hang a bipod on the rod as well if I need really steady shots. Don't even take the rod rest off, it's not any more cumbersome that way than a bipod alone. I also took a 4" piece of solid pipe that just fit inside my rod and slid it into the bottom of the rod so I can crank the screw tight on the bottom and don't have to keep tightening it. Raised my low rod height a little but works fine.

Hmmmm, photos?

Here ya go...

I do the same.

I use the kickstand for robotics and GPS.

If I am going to hike into the woods to locate a corner,
I will put the bipod in the stake bag, and only put it on the
rod if I cannot get my fixed observations in a minute or two.

The bipod attaches above the top of the kick-stand when retracted.

The Rod Rest is, indeed, a valuable piece of equipment.
Been using one for 12 years or so.

Nothing has been said, however, about using such a device on non-level ground or on very soft ground. I spend way more time than I need to making sure the rod isn't going to topple over with a +6 foot HR.

If it isn't firm, level ground, I don't bother with the Rod Rest. Bi-Pod to the rescue.

My two cents.

JA. PLS SoCal

I run the robot target at 5.50' and the R8 at 6.12'. Use the same rod for both, and 6.12 is where it is when I set the rod at the 2m mark. Since I'm the only one that uses it and the survey styles are set to those heights it's never caused a problem. At those heights, there's very few times I have to look for a spot to set it down. Occasionally there's a foreman or somebody else tagging along wanting to talk, so I usually just say "here, hold this" if I'm in one of those spots. They will usually go find somebody else to bother after a couple of times.

Not to knock the Rod Rest -- I've never used one -- but when I was shopping for a rod-parking solution, I passed over the Rod Rest in favor of SECO's 12" bipod:

Whereas the Rod Rest leaves the rod in an essentially upright position, with the mini-bipod you pretty much lay the rod down. The additional stooping is certainly a disadvantage, but in my mind that's outweighed by the additional stability provided, particularly in challenging situations (e.g., rough ground, slick concrete). It's also very useful in leaning the rod against a wall or fence without involving the prism or data collector. It's lightweight and very easy to deploy and retract.

Unfortunately, I don't think SECO makes it anymore, at least I'm not seeing it in their current online catalog. They manufacture a similar mini-tripod, but the leg spread angle (120° instead of 90°) makes it a poor substitute for a true bipod.

I've only been using mine for about 3 years, but it shows no signs of wearing out, so I guess the discontinued status isn't going to bother me much.

mini bi-pod

Where do you attach it on the prism pole?

mini bi-pod

> Where do you attach it on the prism pole?

I keep it just beneath the DC quick-release clamp, which is just beneath the bubble. The folded bipod becomes part of the "handle" of the pole, since the center of gravity of the whole shebang is right about there.

I bought one from Seco about a month ago, I just used the same part number for the previous one I ordered a few years back.

Delivery to South Africa takes about 3 weeks though.

Great for leaning the rod or gps against a fence or wall while trying to scale it.

Also use it to prop the rod up against the vehicle will setting up.

When I am solo, this is a must.

Use one almost every day. Well worth the cost.

Let us know how the DIY goes.
I have a DIY one - in bits...
Will get round to it soon.
I did ask before, but can anyone tell me the diameter of the steel spring rods? I made it once with 5mm diameter rods but they were too strong. Have some 2.5mm diameter ones now but not had the time (or need) to put it together again. Not sure if these are strong enough but I was struggling to get anything inbetween.

I don't have a problem with leaning the pole against something when doing topo or some setting-out just requiring a paint mark.
When I need to put pegs in then I need somewhere to put while I get the hammer etc;
it would be nice to be able to pick the pole up last with one hand. This is the disadvantage of the bipod I have been using. It requires both hands to pack it up and move on.