Different Between Old and new survey equipment

A surveyor depends on their equipment for
acquiring accurate measurements quickly and
easily. The article describes the various types of
surveying equipment, both ancient and modern,
that are available in the market today.
Many kinds of surveying equipment have been
used in the past and present to help a surveyor
measure various parameters of a land area. Each
of these parameters is measured by a specific
type of measuring equipment. In this article we
will learn about the importance of the main types
of surveying equipments, both old and new.
Surveying Equipments - Old
In ancient times surveying equipment included
chains, compass, solar compass, transit,
theodolite and more. Chains with equal size links
were used to measure distance between two
required points. A compass was used to measure
the direction of a line that was being surveyed. A
solar compass was used for measuring both the
direction and latitude of a particular point with the
help of sun and stars. A Solar Compass could also
measure horizontal angles and the “true north" of
a particular place. A metallic measuring tape was
used to measure shorter distances.
As technology gradually advanced with time,
instruments used for surveying also improved.
Horizontal and vertical angles were measured
using a simple theodolite whereas different heights
were measured by a basic level. Measuring wheels
were also initially used by surveyors to measure
long distances in a short duration of time.
Measuring wheels came in two types: mechanical
and electrical, and both worked on the same
principle of rolling the wheel from the start to the
end point.
In the early 1900s, surveyors started to use
surveying equipment such as planimeters,
theodolites, automatic levels and measuring
wheels. A planimeter is the best known tool for
measuring asymmetrical land areas as they
eliminate the need for charts or manual
calculations; whereas a theodolite allows
measuring of horizontal and vertical angles. A
theodolite consists of a movable telescope
attached over perpendicular axis. It provides
precise measurement of angles and is an integral
part of every surveying tool kit. A transit is a type
of theodolite but has less precision.
An auto level or a dumpy level is also a type of
surveying equipment used for measuring
horizontal levels. It consists of a telescope like
device fitted on a tripod stand. Auto level, tilting
level, and self-leveling level are all types of leveling
instruments, each providing different rotating
capabilities.
Most surveying instruments are fixed on a tripod,
which acts as a support. As the name suggests,
tripods have three legs with length varying
capability. Many of these equipments are still used
by surveyors around the world.
Surveying Equipments - New
Recent development in technology has provided
some of the finest surveying equipments present
today. Moreover, with the introduction of global
positioning system, the methods of surveying
have also totally changed. GPS has not only made
surveying faster but has increased the accuracy to
amazing heights. GPS works with the help of
satellite systems which provide accurate data
directly on the computer screen. Various types of
GPS equipment is available, from basic to highly
advanced. Some GPS equipment even have night
vision which facilitates surveying during the night
time. However, it is said that though GPS helps in
acquiring the exact position of the land; it does
not provide good results in dense forest areas or
concrete constructions. For this reason, an
instrument known as total station is used along
with the GPS.
Total station is a
theodolite with an
Electronic Distance
Measurement Device.
Total station has also
been one of the reasons
behind the drastic
change of technology in
the surveying field.
EDMD shifted the
surveying technology
from optical mechanical devices to digital
electronic devices. In spite of just being distance
measuring equipment, total station can also be
used for leveling when adjusted in a horizontal
plane. Most of the ultra-modern surveying devices
are a combination of one or more of these
devices.
There is a long list of surveying equipment
available in the market today. The selection of
particular equipment depends on the type of
application and accuracy required. Though all
these equipment provide a wide range of options
to surveyors, it is advisable to have a thorough
knowledge of both, the equipment and the desired
survey. This would not only help in bringing
accuracy to the work but would also save
considerable time and money.