Are there any disadvantages or reasons to not use a mini prism for traversing other than distance? I find the mini prism to be very efficient and prefer to shoot a control point with it than a pole.
I use Leica mini prisms for most all control work. According to Leica, the mini's have better precision and the distance capability is greater than I would normally have between control points. The only trouble I have with the mini prism is doing my bi-weekly calibrations, at my age the circular prism is much easier to see.
I also like them, although for traverse I usually use a tribrach and prisim. I always felt like a mini if held directly on a point had very little error, even if the bubble is off a little bit. Its just not that tall above the point so any error is minimized
.
I like mini prism or plumb bob shots to set monuments because you are already down to drive or drill and it saves getting up and down for prism pole setups.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Brand-New-Trimble-Antenna-Pole-12-Inch-1-foot-P-N-31165-Trimble-Pole-Section-/151134691648?hash=item2330546140:g:H6gAAOxyNo9StaPE&apos ;">1ft pole section just right for minipole.