I use a tall lath bag (sprayed with camp dry) and shorter lath. Still use old school markers and have no issue. If the bag is too short you're going to struggle.
We use an umbrella held down by stakes and ropes. If you're goofy enough to tie it to the instrument you were going to break it anyway.
We run trimble in snow and rain all the time (PNW). An occasional wipe with a lint free cloth keeps it running smooth. Dry it and leave it out of the case overnight and you should be fine. Never use a paper product on lenses or screens. It's like scrubbing them with mini toothpicks and will destroy them in short order...
We did have an office with some Sokia instruments that would get wet (on the inside).?ÿ The killer for instrument is leaving them wet in the case.
I must admit that there was a Sokkia at my very first survey job (1989) that couldn't survive the rain.?ÿ It remains the only instrument of that brand that I have ever used. At that same time we had a Geodimeter that trooped on without issue.?ÿ ?ÿ?ÿ
Hub bag with bucket is my go to. The lath fit alongside the bucket snugly (about 20-30) side by side. The laths on the ends get wet, but the ones between stay dry. Have multiple markers on you and write quickly hunched over the lath. Make sure you don??t get drops from your hat splash down on it while looking down to write. PNW??er here. Also if yours jeans aren??t soaked yet, rub the lath across a dry spot on your jeans before writing if any of the laths do get a few drops on it.
Old salt used to swear by using dollar bills to wipe a lens, but that was thirty years ago.
They still printing money like they used to?
; )
It was still turned on and locked on the prism but it couldn't get a shot even after wiping down the lenses and prism multiple times. I defogged it in the truck for a few hours and that fixed it.?ÿ
Yesterday I worked in the rain again. Just light rain but it was getting wet for about 2 hours. This time it kept working...I think temperature affects whether or not they fog up inside? I removed the radio handle and tribrach, wiped it all down and let it defog and warm up in the truck for at least an hour between notes and driving to the next job. Then it got soaked again for an hour and another hour drying off again.?ÿ
It didn't appear any moisture got past the seal on the radio handle (I inspected very closely) so I feel a little more confident in working in the rain for a little while as long as I wipe it down thoroughly and dry it in the truck.?ÿ
The Sokkia SRX and iX would stop functioning much sooner in the rain, but they had a hard time keeping a lock in the next of conditions.?ÿ
I know the mist you're talking about. It's not enough to bother us but sure messes with the equipment.?ÿ
@ddubya?ÿ
Our Canadian bills are made of some kind of waterproof material, they don't soak up anything. I just use tons of paper towel when it's raining.?ÿ
@350rocketmike?ÿ
Paper towels are made from pulp wood, and the fibers can be abrasive. If you have to use one, pat but do not rub a lens.
Find something made of softer material for the final pass. Carry camera or eyeglass cleaning supplies.
The theory on using the dollar was probably that it was made from rag paper and was softer than most paper.
I ruined a Leica 1200 rover keyboard display by gently patting it with a paper towel after a light rain. And I mean ruined, as in opaque.
I don't mind working in light rain. The umbrella helps, as pounding rain interferes with touch screens.
I call it "salvaging a damp day".
Nate
When I was in the field, the rule of thumb was 4 rain drops per minute in a one square inch box, pack it up and sit in the truck until it either stops or an hour has passed without it slowing down.?ÿ After an hour, call it a day.
Any east coaster among us remember the rain trutle?
Ok, my wife did it. I am not real good at pig tails.
N