Global Surveyor Discussion Forum Land Surveyors United

Embracing AI in Modern Surveying

noemail@noemail.org (landsurveyorsunited@gmail.com) — Mon, 16 Feb 2026 08:26:31 GMT

Surveying is evolving fast with GNSS‑RTK, LiDAR, and automated digital workflows. I’m currently working on AI-driven agents to streamline field checks, coordinate validation, and data processing. What tasks do you think are most ready for AI automation in surveying? Let’s share insights and shape the future of geospatial work together.

Solar Observations

noemail@noemail.org (landsurveyorsunited@gmail.com) — Thu, 29 Jan 2026 23:19:18 GMT

Does anyone else do solar observations? I have a 2026 Ephemeris if you are interested! :)

Introduce

noemail@noemail.org (landsurveyorsunited@gmail.com) — Fri, 23 Jan 2026 17:58:46 GMT

surveyor

Altus NR3

noemail@noemail.org (landsurveyorsunited@gmail.com) — Thu, 26 Jun 2025 14:30:54 GMT

Hello All

I would like to buy a second-hand GNSS receiver (Altus NR3) with GPS+Glonass+SBAS+QZSS reception. I would like to know if there is the possibility of activating the reception of Galileo and Beidou satellites.

Best regards.

Using Drones (UAVs) for Field Setting-Out Points

noemail@noemail.org (landsurveyorsunited@gmail.com) — Tue, 27 May 2025 04:37:26 GMT

Surveyors still have CHALLENGES on how to use drone for setting-out or stake-out survey, and that’s what we need to UNLOCK on the possible ways to use drone in the field within the acceptable, allowable & tolerable deviations as far as the standard surveying practices are concern.

Comment on your thoughts and the possibility to achive these things.

Advanced Drone Operations

noemail@noemail.org (landsurveyorsunited@gmail.com) — Wed, 21 May 2025 04:31:34 GMT

The advancements in drone technology have revolutionized geospatial data collection, providing safer, more efficient, and scalable solutions. Autonomous operations, DIAB systems, BVLOS capabilities, SWARM technology, and real-time data processing are transforming various industries. As these technologies continue to evolve, the possibilities for their application are endless, promising a future where data collection is faster, more accurate, and more accessible than conventional drone operations.

Have you ever tried one of these?

Topcon GPT9001A

noemail@noemail.org (landsurveyorsunited@gmail.com) — Fri, 25 Apr 2025 12:39:45 GMT

Good afternoon,

I dont know much about the newest equipment, and I hope one of the members would be able to help me. I was a hydrographic surveyor for 2 decades. I also bought my own new Topcon GTS-725 total station in 2004. I always use this instrument to do projects at home. This includes building, garden planning etc.

I bought a secondhand Topcon GPT-9001A on an auction a few weeks ago, as my family is very difficult to convince to hold the prism for me. At last I can doe as much survey as I want on my own!

BUT,

The machine I bought does not have any antenna or module for robotic operations. The Topsurv software which I found hidden in the file system (no shortcut on the screen) is in Czeck language, and I cant seem to change it to English or German.

My question to the community: I am looking for a cost effective way to convert this machine to be able to operate as a robotic unit, so I need the antenna as well as a field controller. I am willing to spend a couple of thousand, but perhaps someone could tell me what the possibilities are. Perhaps I can invest for a little more in the latest and greatest tablet which will make my survey jobs even more easy or satisfying. I like my gadgets. I know Topsurv, but the version on my GTS-725 needs Windows ActiveSync which is not supported anymore. I think this GPT-9001A supports WindowsMobile, but I dont have a clue yet on this.

Please help. If you have advice and perhaps even some of the hardware for sale, please contact me at stefan3 at btopenworld.com.

Thank you!

Heerbrugg Wild T2 Theodolite Adaptor Question

noemail@noemail.org (landsurveyorsunited@gmail.com) — Tue, 15 Apr 2025 12:55:16 GMT

I had purchased a new style Heerbrugg Wild T2,It came with adapters for an EDM. I am looking for a replacement of the Carrying Handle on another one of my posts:
https://landsurveyorsunited.com/forum/topics/wild-t2-theodolite-carring-handle?edited=1
Here I am wondering if there's any type of handles people have used in conjunction with the EDM mount adapters?

Wild T2 Theodolite Carrying Handle

noemail@noemail.org (landsurveyorsunited@gmail.com) — Tue, 15 Apr 2025 12:41:52 GMT

I am looking to see if anybody has a spare Carrying Handle attachment for a Leica / Heerbrugg Wild T2 Theodolite? Mine came without it.

How Land Surveyors Solve Problems You Don't Know You Have (In Ways You Don't Understand)

noemail@noemail.org (landsurveyorsunited@gmail.com) — Fri, 4 Apr 2025 14:07:11 GMT

Please check out the new eBook I wrote. It is full of examples of problems Professional Land Surveyor's face every day. You can find it on Land Surveyors United, under eBooks for land surveyors. It could take a month to go through these examples if you actually work the problems. If you are a seasoned land surveyor and only read it and look at the associated material it could take 8 hours.

GNSS Level against Digital level

noemail@noemail.org (landsurveyorsunited@gmail.com) — Tue, 18 Feb 2025 03:03:01 GMT

Hello everyone,

I am facing one issue with the leveling. I did long static GNSS observations (10+ hours) for some points spacing around 10 km. After post-processing and adjusting the network I had the MSL heights using EGM2008, I planned to do digital leveling between the points by starting from the first point and closing on the next one (~10 km). The Static accuracy for Static (phase) with long observations is 3 mm + 0.1 ppm horizontal and 3.5 mm + 0.4 ppm vertical. I supposed the leveling misclosure would not exceed 5 cm (8 mm as per the GNSS specs). but I got 15 cm in 4 spans (10 km each), 5 mm in 1 span (10 KM), and 43 cm in one span (10 km).

Is there any reason that caused the big misclosure (43 cm) like the EGM2008 accuracy for example? the project is in the Middle East

I repeated that span, thinking that maybe the surveyor or any staff man did something wrong somewhere, but the same results came. Even when I tried again from a different route, I got the same results.

GNSS used: Leica GS14 (GPS + GLONASS)

Digital Level used: Leica DNA03

Introducing myself to the community

noemail@noemail.org (landsurveyorsunited@gmail.com) — Fri, 31 Jan 2025 12:09:16 GMT

I am Emmanuel Bayode. A highly skilled Surveying and Geoinformatics professional with over a decade of expertise in GIS, AutoCAD Civil 3D, and geospatial technologies. Adept at precise data collection, analysis, and execution of projects with meticulous attention to detail and problem-solving skills. Experienced in on-site survey management, research, and teaching. Happy to be part of the community.

Hello - new to Forum - PLSS bearings/distances

noemail@noemail.org (landsurveyorsunited@gmail.com) — Tue, 7 Jan 2025 17:57:43 GMT

Hi - name is Andy, and whilst not (and never will be) a professional land surveyor, I have a significant interest in it, and strong background in maths / navigation / computing (e.g. programming and Excel).

We have bought land in WA, near Oroville, on a HOA consisting of 20 acre lots. The HOA was set up in the 1990s, and the definitive boundaries etc are from PLSS Surveys in the 1990's. Ultimately my aim is to transfer the surveys, or at least the ability to for areas of interest, to KML / Google Earth. I have made fair progress so far, but areas of my poor understanding leading to obvious errors - consistent in an area, so confident that solving the errors has a prospect of success.

Rather than ask a lot of questions at once, I'll ask one area at a time with my (poor) understanding and issues I've found.

PLSS Bearings

The PLSS is WA R40N 28E Section 5 here, and the image above is the North edge (right on the Canadian border).

The N Edge survey gives a bearing of N 88 55 57 E which is 88.93250deg and 5323.60' - which is 5324.00' after Survey -> Ground distance correction on the survey [1.00007431]. Online tools give the Section as:

and in 'True Bearing' terms my maths gives the bearing (NW->NE) as 89.87566deg and 5274.92'.

The question(s) I guess come down to whether the Section corners are mathematically accurate, or where a surveyor a long time back placed the 'monuments'?

The survey states 'Basis of Bearings WA State Plane Coordinate System NAD 83 (91) 4601 WA North Zone'. Online searches give some hits, but not enough for me to understand the basis for the survey bearings. Is there a bearing correction I should apply, and if so where can I find it/work it out?

The distances are also in error. It might be the survey distance / bearings are basically not accurate enough, but the precision to which they are given seems unlikely?

I have learned of 'Closure' when applied to a closed ploygon, and for 4 sided Lots is typically giving errors of 0.01' which is of course (very) accurate.

Any basic help much appreciated - I do understand that for the prfessionals this will be noddy stuff

Thanks
Andy

SMALL SURVEYING PRACTICE FOR SALE IN PACIFIC NORTHWEST

noemail@noemail.org (landsurveyorsunited@gmail.com) — Wed, 16 Oct 2024 15:40:47 GMT

If you enjoy the outdoors and beautiful country on the coast with redwood & fir forests, this could be a great opportunity for a young land surveyor or someone looking for a slower (perhaps semi-retired) way of life. The current practice is in Del Norte County, CA and Curry County, OR (based in Brookings, OR). The business primarily consists of boundary surveys with a variety of other requests. I'm getting old and feel I cannot continue much longer. I have an accumulation of equipment that I will sell reasonably. I use a bedroom for an office at this time. I will include assistance in a transfer of the business goodwill, ideas for generating more work if desired, and field/office assistance as needed and I'm able. If interested please send an inquiry to pls4841@gmail.com.

GNSS Receivers - Dual-frequency versus Multi Constellations

noemail@noemail.org (landsurveyorsunited@gmail.com) — Thu, 4 Jul 2024 11:01:59 GMT

I currently use a Topcon GRS-1 which is Dual-frequency but, as it is older, only supports GPS and Glonass.

Would a newer Single-frequency receiver that supports GPS, Glonass, Beidou, Galilleo and SBAS give me better results in the UK?

eg: better chance of fixed solutions under tree canopy or close to buildings.

Do any of you have experience of such a receiver? (eg: Trimble R1)

A newer Dual-frequency model is beyond my finances at present.

Help with communication between a Leica TCRP1203 and an AllegroCX

noemail@noemail.org (landsurveyorsunited@gmail.com) — Wed, 3 Jul 2024 17:50:42 GMT

Good day everyone. I recently started working for a small firm after a 6 1/2 year hiatus from surveying and I am currently doing things the old fashioned way by turning angles with an old Sokkia Set4 with nothing more than a field book as a data collector. Needless to say this is very tedious and time consuming and I was hoping someone here is willing to help me get the companies robotic station, that is collecting dust in the corner, up and running.

As stated in the title, we have a Leica TCRP1203 and an AllegroCX loaded with Carlson SurvCE and we have all the necessary equipment for the instrument to communicate with the instrument. I connected all of the cables to the proper ports (instument to radio and battery to radio) and have read through a pdf that explains all of the correct settings for the data collector and instrument to communicate, but when I enter SurvCE and go to Surv->Sideshot/Traverse->Robotics, the AllegroCX says - Status: No Response - and I have no control over the instrument.

My hopes are that someone here has experience with this specific equipment and can help me get this up and running in a matter of minutes :) or at the very least point me in the right direction.

Leica Suction Fit stub machining result ( with Wim Janssen van Doorn in mind)

noemail@noemail.org (landsurveyorsunited@gmail.com) — Sat, 29 Jun 2024 13:46:45 GMT

As a true Land Surveying / Setting Out engineer I tend to create (Design in CAD and 3D Print & Machining) my own couplers, fittings and fit SMR's and prisms into whatever comes in handy in my Setting Out work.

I bought a limping 2nd hand mini metal lathe end of last year and modified it a bit to suit my CNC idea I have for it. I'm not there yet, DRO's on all axis, working on a CNC solution.

This years intentions (I know, there is a market out there where you can easiy buy stuff but it is more fun to create your own):

- a home made Suction Fit Leica stub with no (0) play (Tick, Done!, see pictures below)

- a Zeiss coupler that fits most tribrach bases with exchangeable 5/8" 11TPI & Leica stub on the top.

- a universal set of couplers: Leica <=> 5/8" 11TPI , Tribrach base to D30.0 mm. SMR

- an Aluminium Setting Out Centralizer MK3 (0.1 mm accuracy) for a D30.0 mm SMR with a light magnet base ring.

See my free own designs on Thinghiverse for 3D printing, 0.5 mm. accuracy:: ttps://www.thingiverse.com/groups/setting-out-dimensional-control

Any more idea's ? Most welcome, certainly if you have a PDF or CAD drawing with dimensions => Get in touch, but keep in mind, this is a hobby of mine, I'm not a production unit and do not intend to compete with businesses out there who have these on the shelf for you: I'm filling a gap.

Arjen

Inverness, Scotland UK

Wim Janssen van Doorn was a POL Geotechniek (NL) engineer who had solutions before you even realised you had a problem. A true magician in solutions, I learned a truckload from this man

sokkia set5f service manuals and cloud algorithms,

noemail@noemail.org (landsurveyorsunited@gmail.com) — Sun, 24 Mar 2024 03:42:01 GMT

I have been trying to find the service manuals for the Sokkia SeT5f and the set5-30r total stations and I could not find them. Can anyone help me.

I would like to know if there is a book on the mathematics of cloud point algrithms generation for doing a subroutine for a computer program that I am making ?.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Jesus F. Pacheco.

Topcon GR-5s for sale with Carlson Surveyor 2

noemail@noemail.org (landsurveyorsunited@gmail.com) — Thu, 22 Feb 2024 20:40:25 GMT

Topcon GR-5 base and rover. GPS/GLONASS. Charging cables and carrying case included. 460mhz radios. Carlson Surveyor 2 with SurvCE 6.08 with GPS, TS, Robotics, Roads, Hybrid. Units and data collector work as they should. Show normal wear. $8000. Will ship Continental US.

Easy to follow tutorial for learning trigonometry for land surveyors

noemail@noemail.org (landsurveyorsunited@gmail.com) — Sat, 10 Feb 2024 22:56:11 GMT

https://youtu.be/TN76VbDFslw?si=MajkyVxOipnhohcH

Hi fellow land surveyors. I spent 25 years as a party chief here in the Pacific Northwest and was a adjunct professor at Lake Washingtion Institute of Technology for three year (until COVID shut the campus down) where I taught land surveying and trigonometry to Civil Engineering students who were also required to learn an introduction to land surveying.

I also taught lessons at my work and encouraged fellow surveyors to learn and understand old school methods and to become more than button pushers. In my 25 years I have trained at least 35 novices and have encouraged each one of them to honor the profession of land surveying and to encourage them to understand what was going on inside their data collectors.

I hope my series of lessons is a benefit to you or someone you know. Please pass around and of course, Like and Subscribe, and feel free to leave comments and let me know where you found my site at.

Thank you all, very much.

Lee Anderson

academic tittle or professional tittle

noemail@noemail.org (landsurveyorsunited@gmail.com) — Mon, 4 Dec 2023 07:36:43 GMT

What will be the most important fo a Licensed surveyor

we had a problems with academically qualifid people who don't have professional qualification

according to Survey act of Sri Lanka only Licensed surveyors are alowed to do private practice

as it now government surveyors engaged under the surveyor general illegally practice the profession which could be stopped under civil law ,

our survey council will not take action ,as normal laymen will not come forward to go against this type of mal practices and will not report to the council,

only problem here is the illegally surveyed plans signed by Licensed surveyors who support mal prctice

😀that is our professional greediness

I need to know from surveyors around the world how you tackle this type of thing

Casio fx 4500p programs

noemail@noemail.org (landsurveyorsunited@gmail.com) — Mon, 4 Dec 2023 01:20:47 GMT

Hi everyone

I am looking for land surveying programs for Casio fx 4500 p . If anyone has them I will appreciate posting them for everyone to use. Thank you so much. Sami Barkho

50 years back

noemail@noemail.org (landsurveyorsunited@gmail.com) — Sun, 3 Dec 2023 08:56:25 GMT

Demonstrating Geodimeter and telurometer

Plat Error

noemail@noemail.org (landsurveyorsunited@gmail.com) — Sun, 29 Oct 2023 11:15:09 GMT

The distance of the closing course of plat S-142 (Search Official Records - Phil Diamond - Orange County Comptroller (occompt.com)), which is 900.48', is not the sum of the individual courses. I get a sum of 786.88'. What do you get?

Hello and question about LSIT in Wyoming

noemail@noemail.org (landsurveyorsunited@gmail.com) — Wed, 25 Oct 2023 18:32:54 GMT

Hi everyone,

I'm Ziyad and I'm reletively new to land surveying. I've interned at a company in New Mexico that went bankrupt and was helping the chief land surveyor then. I since moved to Wyoming and now I'm trying to figure out how to get back into the profession. I'm currently going to school for it though I'm unsure about the non ABET accredited degrees that are land surveying related.

I had a question about LSIT in Wyoming. Is it necessary? I see many land surveryor jobs come up that require it, though when I google it I only really get results for LSAT, which is a Law related exam. If this is necessary, how do you go about getting one?

Thanks,

Ziyad J

Geomensura inverted survey

noemail@noemail.org (landsurveyorsunited@gmail.com) — Fri, 15 Sep 2023 07:59:29 GMT

Good morning every body,

I have an issue in geomensura with a survey i made. When i import the dots in the sofware, everything is mirror intverted. Any solution to switch the dots uin the right place?

Thanks in advance, S.bruant.

Best Practices: Public Drone Operations

noemail@noemail.org (landsurveyorsunited@gmail.com) — Wed, 16 Aug 2023 15:08:15 GMT

With Remote ID going into effect on September 16th, it has never been more important to conduct public drone operations responsibly. Part 107 pilots must understand the do's and don'ts of operating drones in public.

Aerotas's newest blog post will help you and your business:

understand the regulatory landscape overseeing aerial surveying
avoid costly pitfalls while conducting drone ops in public
build a relationship with the communities in which you operate

Give it a read at the link below and let me know what you think!

Link to Blog: https://www.aerotas.com/blog/commercial-drone-operations-in-the-public

Interviews Needed!

noemail@noemail.org (landsurveyorsunited@gmail.com) — Thu, 27 Jul 2023 22:33:57 GMT

Hi! I’m Mike from Aerotas, and I’m working on new drone data solutions for Land Surveyors and Civil Engineers. I’m reaching out because whether or not you work with drones, Aerotas wants to hear from you! If you’re open to a short (30-45 minute) customer interview, please reach out to me at michael.haughey@aerotas.com to set up a time to chat! Looking forward to connecting!

Will the Phantom 4 RTK be Remote ID Compliant?

noemail@noemail.org (landsurveyorsunited@gmail.com) — Mon, 24 Jul 2023 17:36:14 GMT

The Phantom 4 RTK has been the workhorse drone for thousands of surveyors across the country. But with the FAA’s new Remote ID rules coming into effect in less than 2 months, will they even be legal to fly still? As of right now, they still aren't compliant, but that may change in the future.

Read the blog post to get the whole story.

Lisp to Generate Contour Curves in AutoCAD

noemail@noemail.org (landsurveyorsunited@gmail.com) — Sun, 23 Jul 2023 17:08:44 GMT

Are you a surveyor who uses AutoCAD to do your topographical projects? Would you like to generate contour lines and longitudinal profiles with just a few clicks? Then you need to know TopLISP v2.0, the program that will make your work easier and increase your productivity.

TopLISP v2.0 is a program that integrates with AutoCAD and allows you to generate contour lines and longitudinal profiles from points with X, Y, Z coordinates. You can create MDT surfaces, interpolate and dimension the main contour lines, and generate longitudinal profiles with a simple command. All this in seconds!

TopLISP v2.0 is easy to use and has an illustrated tutorial that shows you step by step how it works. You can choose from three license options to suit your needs and budget. In addition, you get ExportaCAD as a bonus, a program that exports XYZ coordinates from AutoCAD to Excel with numbering.

Don't waste time and place your order right now on the official website: https://www.planilhasinteligentes.com/toplisp/toplisp-v2-0