Never threw the instrument up onto a set of legs, it was placed there gently. When we were using a DKM 2 AE with the aluminum legs it seldom stayed level without using an umbrella. The instrument man's shadow moving around the gun would cause movement on sunny days. Never had the problem with wood under the Kern or Wild one second guns. The composition is much better than aluminum, but not as stable as wood. Wood also moves but not quick enough that it will cause traverse problems. Don't know but have heard that the composition legs expand and contract in jumps, not a uniform change over time like wood. I use both but never aluminum.
jud
I dislike NEDO tripods. The dual-locking mechanism is very annoying to me. It is more of a risk to accident: "I thought my second lock was on, oops, I guess not...". Too many locks. They are also heavy, straps are so-so and the tripods are uncomfortable to carry.
Best tripods I have used for heavy instruments were the Leica professional grade series and the Crain Trimax.
Never have I had that happen. We run Crain Tri-Max under the robot, GPS base, and total stations. When I'm running the robot (after a case study performed by Scott Z on here) I routinely check it's level (it's really easy) throughout the day. It's always out in the open, so it's always in sunlight. I've never seen it creep out more than 10". The total stations are checked the same way. No issues there either. We can't really check the base, but I hate to hear you had problems out of the best all around tripods we have ever used.
"..We have found that if we set the instrument as soon as possible and let it get acclimated to the conditions before we start using it we achieve better results. Jp"
That makes the most sense. If you can't isolate the equipment from the elements, I guess it makes sense to totally immerse them, within their operating range of course.
Sometimes, too, shortening your H.I., if possible, can help the tripod stability.
> FWIW, I got a good chuckle out of Mr. Stahl's comments.
As they were intended, Andy. Guess you'd have to have been around for a while to have perceived the humor well. 😉
JBS
Dutch Hill makes two types of tripods. One with an Aluminum Head, one with a plastic head. The Aluminum one is much more stable because of the way the top attaches to the legs, especially with wear. It is possible, but expensive, to retrofit the plastic ones with an aluminum head.
I suspect the problem is not with the plasic per say, but with with the way all the parts attach together. The clamps are loose and slipping, the head is loose, or something. Tripods, like anything else, need adjustment and care.
You never hiked around with a t-16 on your shoulder, and 100' chain stuck through your belt and if it took you more than 30 seconds to set it up on even ground you had hell to pay. That is what we called making money in the day! Jp
> Guess you'd have to have been around for a while to have perceived the humor well. 😉
>
> JBS
yes I fully understand the humor having started on Mark's site in late 1998/early 1999 and through to it's current location. Funny I don't ever recall seeing your postings back then.
Jim Vianna
No, never walked around with a T 16 on my shoulder connected to a tripod. Walked around with the T 16 in it's case, the chain was a 300 foot hi way add chain. Seldom used a 100 chain, still have both types. When using the T 16 with the DI 3 did some of the carrying using the shoulder usually with a tripod on a strap over one shoulder. Used that setup on construction sites usually and the DI 3 was powered by the rig battery, although we did have a motorcycle battery to use when the cords weren't long enough to reach the rig, had to watch the polarity or would blow a fuse. Yes, setting up and having the circle ready to measure angles was quick, wanted to be waiting for the crew rather than having them waiting on you. Took much longer when using the Plane Table and Adelaide and the crew just had to wait.
jud
