Is there a thingy that is made that can be attached to a prism pole that you can hook a tape to for measuring offset distances?
> Big Al,
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> Check out:
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> Lo Ink Measuring tape
>
>
> Jim
That thing is nice in theory, but where I have it it'd be knocked off in no time. I just keep one on my belt... I used to have guys on my crew that refused to carry one though... that just pizzed me off to no end.
Carl
Jim,
I looked at that product, and while it is a good suggestion, there are several reasons why I don't think it'll be ideal. First off, as Carl suggested, that's a pretty hefty setup to attach to a prism pole. I can easily see it being knocked off the pole while carrying it through the woods. Secondly, though a minor point, I store my prism poles in transit, in pipes, and that bulky attachment may not permit storage in the same pipes I have used. Third, the offset measurements that I might commonly need this for, involve distances often over 18 feet. At the moment I carry a 33 foot tape (tenths and hundredths), and that is suitable for nearly all the offset measurements I might make. And so it would appear that this holder is not suitable to carry a 33 foot tape. Finally, and I think most importantly, how would I read the tape? I mean, if I pull the tape out to a stone wall 15 feet away, and I'm holding the zero end of the tape, how do I know what distance I'm at when I'm at the wall? I'm assuming it reads at the tape canister, like most tape measures.
I think carrying a tape on my belt is just fine. I think what I'm looking for is some sort of simple small lightweight hook that can be mounted on the prism pole and that would permit laying the zero end of the tape upon and that would hold fairly securely while pulling out the tape to an object to be measured. Surely some such thingy must have been thought of before.
Big Al
When I built my surveying belt years ago, I made cases for the compass, p-gun, abney, 25 ft. tape, plum bob and my right angle prism. Didn't believe those things belonged in the vest. It is the plumb bob and tape that have gone the most miles on that belt, plumb bob case was tougher than the commercial ones and the 25' tape holder I have never seen another like it. It was made from a piece of skirting leather big enough for the tape to rub on and be totally backed by leather, folded over for the belt, riveted and stitched. I had taken a piece of brass welding rod, bent it to hold the hanger on the tape, threaded it through holes on one side of the leather and bent down, then securely stitched it in. Saves the belt, tape is easy to remove or replace with one hand and is always on the belt along with the plumb bob. That belt is always with me while surveying and has saved many steps back to the rig. Now I have added a mini prism rigged for a bob string for those unexpected shots.
jud
Jud,
I'd like to see a picture of that tape holder you describe.
I tried the Magneto holder, but it didn't work very well. Kept falling off when I brushed up against a branch, which is often.
At the moment I'm using something like this, not sure what brand:
To be perfectly frank, I've always found it much more time effective and less confusing to just take two shots at some random distance that are approx 90 deg apart from the point and just calc the position with a dist-dist intersection.
Than to mess with some gizmo that will just confuse the CAD guy. Nothing worse than having it offset 180 deg from what you want. Maybe one thing worse is having said CAD guy go talk to the CAD manager and try and decipher it, and then get the party chief on the radio only to find the I-man. After wasting all that time, he'll likely still mess it up.
Plus I think its more accurate.
I will bring a camera in tomorrow, but probably will need some guidance on how to post a photo, but willing to give it shot.
jud
It's called duct tape.
Problem is offsets need to be horizontal. Can be slope
or vegetation obstruction. So I find it easiest to carry a small tape on belt and use bipod so can set and leave pole vertical to measure horizontal distance from the convenient offset point(s)to the required point.
RADU
Big Al,
Have you tried to use a Disto type device. Leica's 1200 series are capable of collecting offset data from them via blue tooth.
John
Problem is offsets need to be horizontal. Can be slope
Radu, you're describing exactly what I want to do. The question is: how do you attach the zero end of the tape to the prism pole/bipod?
I don't have Leica equipment. And, I have no Bluetooth equipment at the prism pole for this.
Jud, I sent you a message. Thanks.
Disto D8 + Optical square.
Maybe once, but not fifty times a day.
What's an optical square? A reflective sheet target?
I can't imagine how it would be more time effective to take two distance measurements instead of one, but maybe I dont understand your method. . One good measurement will be enough for me.
You are hard to please. Fine, imagine all the things you could attach to a topo rod with a $0.25 hose clamp.
Joe,
I am not hard to please. That is an EXCELLENT suggestion. Generally, I prefer a manufactured solution, as inventing something from scratch is not usually cost or time effective. But, in this case, it seems that there is no such manufactured tape attachment bracket. A hose clamp and a hook will do just fine. Thanks again.
Al
> You are hard to please. Fine, imagine all the things you could attach to a topo rod with a $0.25 hose clamp.
