RTN/VRS Users-Question(s)?

Are these real questions?

I don't know the answers, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn....

I wouldn't use it for something where you expect your elevations to be accurate to better than 0.10', especially a RTN which will inevitably lead to longer baselines.

If the internet and this board were around 40 years ago I think the guys that learned how to survey in the 50's would be asking the same questions about total stations.

GPS is a tool, much like a total station, that is used to make measurements. If you know how to use it properly and you understand the results you are getting I don't see why you couldn't use it for any surveying application. The problem is it can be abused by those who don't take the time to verify their results and accept the coordinates they get as the gospel.

There are those out there that will argue a boundary can only be verified by a closed traverse. On the flip side of that there are other individuals out there who believe a boundary can be done exclusively by GPS observations. A lot of this difference of opinion has a lot to do with how these individuals learned to survey and the instruments they learned to survey with.

It is my opinion that those individuals who learned how to survey pulling a chain and then progressed to total stations and who are now using GPS in the course of their surveying work are the ones with the most open minds about this particular discussion. They have seen technology progress much quicker than anyone could have imagined and know there are limitations.

I'm young and I love using GPS, for everything, but I have experienced times when GPS just wasn't the best tool to use at the time. I'd love to be able to say I've pulled a chain through the woods and calculated a boundary with a slide rule, but in reality I couldn't imagine having to do that on a daily basis. I've been spoiled and I'm not afraid to admit it. The ultimate answer to your question is understand the tools you are using and when it is the best time to use them.

I would not count on the verticals . I have seen them out as much as .25' . Horizontal is the best component .

What I can say about it is its sort of reliable .

I can only speak from experience in the RTN I work in.

For those of you who use a single rover on a RTN or VRS, or even base and rover RTK, what are the use limitations?
One and done observations are only good for dirt quantities and even then there are circumstances that could lead to an observation in error by a couple of feet now and then. Multiple RTN observations (as in 5+) seperated by time can yeild very good repeatable results.

I assume you'd use it for boundary surveys, topos and construction staking-right? Stakeout using RTN can lead to an early retirement if done without multiple observations.

But how about setting corners, small lot surveys and the such?
see previous answer
Is use dependent on site conditions, or are there certain size projects or things you just won't do using those systems?
When there is lots of detail work in a small area it is more efficient to do that work with robotic total station.
Thanks for any input.
You're welcome