After reading several threads here, I decided to make my own reflective targets instead of paying several dollars for each one from the local supplier. I picked up a roll of Reflexite tape - but I'm having a hard time figuring out how to get crosshairs on it. Regular Sharpies don't stick well, and I even picked up a Sharpie oil-based paint pen, but even that will rub off. So I'm worried about how these will hold up to the elements. Any suggestions? On a side note, has anyone used any of the targets from Ebay which come from China? Looking at the photos, it appears that they may be using a lesser quality reflective tape, so I would worry about the performance.
EdWidy, post: 374163, member: 10963 wrote: After reading several threads here, I decided to make my own reflective targets instead of paying several dollars for each one from the local supplier. I picked up a roll of Reflexite tape - but I'm having a hard time figuring out how to get crosshairs on it. Regular Sharpies don't stick well, and I even picked up a Sharpie oil-based paint pen, but even that will rub off. So I'm worried about how these will hold up to the elements. Any suggestions? On a side note, has anyone used any of the targets from Ebay which come from China? Looking at the photos, it appears that they may be using a lesser quality reflective tape, so I would worry about the performance.
Hello Ed,
we purchase the chinese-made reflective targets, hundreds at a time. they work just fine for us range and accuracy wise. don't worry about it too much.
I have tried the reflexite I would dimple the center with a concrete scribe to re-apply the X sharpie oil based paint markers work better than other markers. But at the end of the day the Chinese and European cheap targets are a good deal at less than a buck each
I made a target similar to that on a gammon reel from red and silver tape.
Also placed silver tape on the back of a gammon reel and sight the string.
I have access to the orange and white striped tape they put on access gates to parking garages (read endless supply). I sharpened the end of a 1" steel pipe and punch out little circles by hitting it with a rubber mallet. Works great, real easy to sight the middle of the circle, no need for cross hair. Sticks to most anything; orange for light back ground; white for dark.
Message me and I can send you a few. I'm thinking about selling them and would like some feed back.
Thanks,
Dougie
A black panel with a triangle made of reflector tape.
I've been thinking about making some targets to put on chaining pins.
Shawn Billings, post: 374219, member: 6521 wrote: I've been thinking about making some targets to put on chaining pins.
Chaining pins!
My father had ONE. When I was a kid, I found it in the broken 1950 era refrigerator in the basement where the old surveying supplies were kept.
I could never figure out what it was for until I got to college and we used them in the surveying lab.
Dad always used nails for taping. I feel cheated somehow...
Gromaticus, post: 374225, member: 597 wrote: Chaining pins!
My father had ONE. When I was a kid, I found it in the broken 1950 era refrigerator in the basement where the old surveying supplies were kept.
I could never figure out what it was for until I got to college and we used them in the surveying lab.
Dad always used nails for taping. I feel cheated somehow...
Fulfill a lifetime dream and buy a set. 🙂
Hayes sells a set of 11 for less than $20.
Thanks everyone for your replies. I'm going to pick up some targets from eBay, but use my Reflexite tape until those get here. I'll scribe a cross on the target first in case the painted cross fades over time. I'm looking forward to using these, I can see how it could save a lot of setup time.
I use to stop by local bicycle shop and get the round bicycle reflectors for free (take offs they through in a box). They had a hole in the middle so I would nail them to trees and poles during my initial control and tie them in, then when I would return to the chaotic construction site I would simply resect from them to begin my daily construction staking. Worked well especially for a one man crew. Jp
One method I use. Sometimes, when placing, I orient right and left sides vertical. At other times, a diagonal vertical.
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There is no need to use a pen to mark your targets
Cut the targets as squares
Place so that they are like a diamond
Sight up on the apices and you will get the target centre
My GTS-2B likes the Hillman brand white or red reflective tape and their red reflector driveway markers. Some other brands work but give less range.
The 1" reflectors I see in the stores don't work at all - different reflection pattern that sends most of the light in other directions. The bicycle reflectors I've tried don't do well either. Someone told me they had great success with bicycle reflectors when in France, but the ones in the US didn't work well for them.