It is not something I do very often but we have a client who has provided us with hundreds of control points they have set across three counties over the past 15 years. These are 1/2" rebar sticking out of the ground an inch or two with a plastic cap. We have to calibrate our surveys to these control points. The more recently placed ones are easy to find but the older ones not so much. Yesterday I spent over two hours and went to seven different control points before I was able to find one. Sometimes they do get destroyed but after I got calibrated I went back to some of the ones I couldn't find and they were there, I just couldn't find them without knowing exactly where to look.
Years ago I used a Schonstedt magnetic locator to find abandoned oil wells and I think one would work great to find these pins but they are around $1,000 and are rather large. Is there anything out there that would help me find them without spending so much? Compactness is important as well as my truck is about loaded to the max with gear already. I haul a side by side on the bed of my truck so all my gear is in the cab.
https://www.engineersupply.com/CST-berger-magna-trak-101-magnetic-locator-with-soft-case-19-555.aspx
I have never used one of these but the price is half of the best models. Maybe go to a survey supply store and ask about renting before buying.
Also check eBay.
I'm surprised you don't have one. Around here, a magnetic locator is basic field equipment. It goes hand in hand with the almighty shovel.
Either Schonstedt or one of their competitors makes a telescoping unit now. It takes up half the space in the truck and comes with a belt holster. You can find it on the survey equipment supplier's websites. It, or a full-size detector is worth the money. Just think how much time would have been saved on this project if you already had one.
Schonstedt GA-52Cx and a 48" lath bag to carry it in. Money well spent. I agree with Peter - it's basic equipment. Nevertheless, if you complete the job and decide that you don't need it you can probably sell it on ebay, or here on RPLS, for a couple hundred less than you paid for it.
I've had the collapsible type and didn't really care for it. It worked fine. It's just not really more convenient than the standard model, IMO.
$500 for a used one compared to hours of searching, seems like a no-brainer.
Last time I checked a new one is around $1300. We've had little use for the off brand ones, get one of the 42.5" Schonstedts with the small square head and tube, they just work.
Buy once, cry once. Buy nice or buy twice. Get the GA-52Cx. It has a 7 year warranty, it works, and as others have mentioned, you could probably sell it for a small loss on this site.
What those above have said about the Schonstedt is absolutely true, I have used them for decades and they are GREAT. I currently use a Schonstedt at my regular job, it is owned by my employer. That being said, I do also have a CST Magan-Trak 100 of my own that I acquired as an already well-used unit that came with a robot that I purchased over 10 years ago. In my experience the CST works just as well. The WORST locator to have, is ‘none at all’. As others have stated, these are an ESSENTIAL tool, and I would not want to be without one.
Just don’t be this guy!
P.S. the locators will also signal to steel keys or folding knives in your pockets.
Schonstedt GA-52Cx and a 48" lath bag to carry it in. Money well spent. I agree with Peter - it's basic equipment. Nevertheless, if you complete the job and decide that you don't need it you can probably sell it on ebay, or here on RPLS, for a couple hundred less than you paid for it.
I've had the collapsible type and didn't really care for it. It worked fine. It's just not really more convenient than the standard model, IMO.
I agree. But I braided some bale twine and made a sling for mine. Free twine leftover. Works better than the lathe bag. And just makes it easy. I am sure anyone could stop by any equine or cattle farm and the farmers would be happy to give you the stuff they cut off the bales. Get enough to make a 3 to 4 flat braid and rope on. Do the braiding at night while watching the news.
You can always give a dip needle or maybe even divining rods a try, but then a good schonstedt is going seem quite affordable afterwards. I prefer the pistol grip collapsable, cut the bottom out of the pocket on the side of a lath bag so it sits in there like a holster.
Just because I'm paranoid, doesn't mean they aren't out to get me.
Thanks for all the input. As a land surveyor I can certainly see a magnetic locator as essential gear. I imagine you guys are looking for pins on an almost daily basis.
I am not a land surveyor. I use RTK almost daily though at work in the oilfield and currently have a base and three rovers but have ran as many as five rovers at once. Surveying has always fascinated me and been an interest of mine. I have been doing this work since 1994 and started out using a compass and a chain and have evolved with the technology throughout the years and it is pretty cool.
Out of all the customers we have had over the past 30 years none other than this one have requested us to calibrate our surveys to their control network. Most are happy if we perform the work within 20' or so of where they request it and only want RTK level data of where it was performed so we set up with a WAAS here base and then adjust our data that we deliver to OPUS solutions. This customer wants the work performed exactly where they specify so we have to calibrate our base before we stake anything out.
Long story short the only reason I was looking for a cheap solution is it will only be used for this one customer.
If you buy a Schonstedt, I'll buy it for $500 when you are done with it. That would be a fantastic deal for me and maybe not so good for you. I imagine others on here would offer more.
If you buy a Schonstedt, I'll buy it for $500 when you are done with it. That would be a fantastic deal for me and maybe not so good for you. I imagine others on here would offer more.
For his use model, it would be cheaper to buy a half-decent treasure hunter's metal detector and give it to a kid in his family when done with it.
If you are looking for iron rods, a treasure hunter isn't very sensitive. They respond to the surface area presented (the end of a rebar) times the conductivity of the metal (so-so for iron), and respond more to any foil wrappers and other metallic junk in the ground.
Better than nothing, but nowhere as good as the cheapest magnetic locator.
Long story short the only reason I was looking for a cheap solution is it will only be used for this one customer.
I have a hunch that once you have one in your kit you will find many opportunities to use it.
You can always give a dip needle or maybe even divining rods a try, but then a good schonstedt is going seem quite affordable afterwards. I prefer the pistol grip collapsable, cut the bottom out of the pocket on the side of a lath bag so it sits in there like a holster.
I have had to use pin flags as divining rods before. Not long ago I was on a site and the crew nor I had a mag locator. I had to use the pin flags to locate a few corners. Then start probing with the spade. lol.
Duncan-Parnell rents Schonstedts for $50/day. I bet you could find a survey supply store near you that rents them.