Transporting your instrument

I carry my instrument horizontally in the back of my truck. It fits pretty tightly inside my organizer box so the bed cover keeps it from bouncing around. I've never had any problem with it. Also, different instruments lie inside their cases differently, so I can't see how it would do any harm either way.

This is very common where I learned to survey up north. ATV's, snowmobiles all in very rough terrain. I suggest tying the gun down in the case tightly with to the front rack with bungy cords where you can see it. If you can stuff it tightly in the rear box that's fine too but I never liked the rear boxes for serious bushwacking. I would never however do this to a precision total station. I had no problem with the trusty yellow gun that I used for surveying in the bush but I would think twice before taking the precision gun for a rough ride on an ATV. Happy trails.

Orientation is not critical. You just don't want it to be rattling around inside its case. And the 5603's case will allow the instrument to move around inside the case if it's anything other than vertical. If you have to transport it horizontal you might want to stuff a few pieces of foam in there to take up the slack.

I have gone to using a Seco top door back pack for all instrument transport.

On the ATV I will strap it upright in the front or rear rack against some side support like a gun rack or the lath tube.

I've transported my robot with the case in both orientations and haven't noticed.a difference. Most of the time it is vertical though and in either case (no pun intended) it's fairly secured and doesn't bounce around at all.

> I carry my instrument horizontally in the back of my truck. It fits pretty tightly inside my organizer box so the bed cover keeps it from bouncing around. I've never had any problem with it. Also, different instruments lie inside their cases differently, so I can't see how it would do any harm either way.

Aloha, Chris:
Thanks for the confirmation. I keep mine with padding and drive very carefully with the UTV.
I have all my survey related items in a trailer. That way I don't tie up the UTV.

> Orientation is not critical. You just don't want it to be rattling around inside its case. And the 5603's case will allow the instrument to move around inside the case if it's anything other than vertical. If you have to transport it horizontal you might want to stuff a few pieces of foam in there to take up the slack.

Aloha, Mark:
As always your regular input to my questions are very much appreciated! I had a rare opportunity to trade-in my used 5603 to another used S6! And I took it and very happy with the result. I have stream lined my setup.
The 5603 use to fit perfectly in the tool box but the S6 hard case a bit taller, hence the need to place it horizontally in the tool box. I was concerned this will cause damage.

Thanks again Mark!

> I've transported my robot with the case in both orientations and haven't noticed.a difference. Most of the time it is vertical though and in either case (no pun intended) it's fairly secured and doesn't bounce around at all.

Thanks, Eric:
I think I will do something to prevent it bouncing in the tool box.

Aloha.

> I have gone to using a Seco top door back pack for all instrument transport.
>
> On the ATV I will strap it upright in the front or rear rack against some side support like a gun rack or the lath tube.

Aloha, A Harris:

I have trailer hook up. So I don't need to place it directly on the UTV. Seco back pack are pretty soft right?

Thanks!

I was told that vibration is the enemy on a ATV/UTV and that a soft case was preferable to the factory hard case. I didn't like the idea of giving up the factory hard case so I compromised. I built a wood box and lined it with soft foam. Then made a liner out of Sunbrella (even got yellow to match, why not?). Now when I'm done at a station I put the instrument in the case and drop the case into the padded box. It fits snugly so there is no need to strap it down. It's fast and easy. Yes, it takes up a bit more cargo area but the peace of mind is worth it. You just drive and don't curse every bump you hit. It doesn't matter. The instrument has the best seat on the gator!

Jack

After seeing the picture of your transportation, I would strap the instrument in the passenger seat.

The backpack has a canvas cover and the padding is very firm with a hard shell bottom.

It is plenty protective, just not as crush proof as a hard shell case.

>.. I had a rare opportunity to trade-in my used 5603 to another used S6!
In this case (pun intended) the same advice applies to the S6.

Aloha, Mark: I got it. 🙂

Aloha, Jack:
Thanks for sharing the photos! I have a lot of space in the tool box. I might be able to add the foams. And also follow Mark's idea of adding a bit more padding inside the box. If I am heading toward a bumpy section of the property I call always put gun next to me on the passenger seat as A. Harris suggested.

Thank you!!

> After seeing the picture of your transportation, I would strap the instrument in the passenger seat.
>
> The backpack has a canvas cover and the padding is very firm with a hard shell bottom.
>
> It is plenty protective, just not as crush proof as a hard shell case.

Aloha, A. Harris:
In really bumpy section I will pull it out and place next to me and strap it. I actually did that the other day. When I was driving through a section full of big tree roots on exposed on the path.

Thanks

A slightly more robust version we use to transport the calibration instrument we use to certify swimming pools.

External timber frame holds in the outer ply sides, front hinged so we can secure it with a lock if needed. The inside is fitted out with closed cell foam (so it cannot soak up water)and lined with 3mm. (that's 1/8" in funny language!) ply so the instrument case doesn't damage the foam. Aluminium angle to the edges. External timber painted with yacht varnish, internal 3 coats of varnish (which also makes it slide in and out easily).

Weighs a lot but it's only lifted when it goes in or out of a van.

Nice! Aloha from Hawaii!

Ok yswami, the words of wisdom from this old timer is that the objective is to make sure it doesn't bounce around. Pretty simple really. I've used my quad in MI woods for 15 yrs, now here in desert mountains for the last 8 or so. The key is to secure it. Even your rod, tripods, and other miscellaneous tools that seem important. Don't forget your side arm for the snakes.

I've got a really cool extra gizmo for my rover if I go into GPS land. I just took a fitting off an old tripod and hooked my quick-connect kind of thing. Works like a champ and the rod height is always the same, depending. Kind of like a mag-mount, but more manageble.

2" PVC attached on the box carries the rod. I put enough duct tape around the "bounce point" to keep it steady. All the instruments have padded cells, so I call them Bubba.

As a bonus, I think that most manufacturers of surveying equipment provide pretty reliable carrying cases. Just in case.

Good luck

Old timers wisdom is always appreciated!

> Ok yswami, the words of wisdom from this old timer is that the objective is to make sure it doesn't bounce around. Pretty simple really. I've used my quad in MI woods for 15 yrs, now here in desert mountains for the last 8 or so. The key is to secure it. Even your rod, tripods, and other miscellaneous tools that seem important. Don't forget your side arm for the snakes.
>
> I've got a really cool extra gizmo for my rover if I go into GPS land. I just took a fitting off an old tripod and hooked my quick-connect kind of thing. Works like a champ and the rod height is always the same, depending. Kind of like a mag-mount, but more manageble.
>
> 2" PVC attached on the box carries the rod. I put enough duct tape around the "bounce point" to keep it steady. All the instruments have padded cells, so I call them Bubba.
>
> As a bonus, I think that most manufacturers of surveying equipment provide pretty reliable carrying cases. Just in case.
>
> Good luck

Aloha, Wayne:

Thank you! You know...I didn't even think about the other items such as prism pole bouncing in the box without any padding! Thank you for pointing this out. I got several great ideas that I can combine to a approach that will work for my setup here.

Old timers are like gold nuggets. You see their luster by asking the appropriate question at the right time to pick their brains! I love old timer! I can make my mistakes and learn from it or not 😀 But the better option is to learn from the experience of old timers and their wisdom that they can provide!

Thank you!

P.S. Would you mind posting the picture of your gizmo Wayne?