Wood is a very popular and affordable option. It offers good stability and isn't affected by temperature changes - wood will neither contract nor expand when exposed to extreme temperature changes. Keep in mind though that wooden surveying tripods are usually heavy, so they’re not the best choice if you move your instrument around a lot. A word of caution though: carbon fiber surveying tripods tend to shatter more easily in extremely cold conditions. But while they’re less durable and a bit more expensive than aluminum, they’re some of the most lightweight tripods available today. 2. Weight Northwest Instrument’s contractor-grade tripods make use of this kind of clamp, so they’re easy to set up and store away. Plus, they’re ideal for frequently changing setups. There are times, however, that you need a little additional length for your tripod. For instance, if you’re working with heavy construction equipment, you may have to elevate your machine control laser to an extra high level.

Once the tripod is positioned and secure, the instrument is placed on the head. The mounting screw is pushed up under the instrument to engage the instrument's base and screwed tight when the instrument is in the correct position. The flat surface of the tripod head is called the foot plate and is used to support the adjustable feet of the instrument. Fully autonomous solutions providing high accuracy results, saving you time & money, and improving safety for your teamAcross the land surveying equipment market, the universal thread size is 5/8 x 11. So if the tripod you’re eyeing comes with this standard thread size, chances are it’s compatible with your instrument. If you’re an experienced land surveyor, you’re probably already familiar with tripod heads or, at the very least, have seen one. It’s a part of the tripod on which a surveying instrument rests and mounts. It connects the surveying instrument to the tripod for a stable and level setup. With the various tripod brands, styles, and features available on the market it’s hard to choose the right one for you. To help you out we’ve rounded up a list of the things you need to consider before buying a tripod. Keep reading to see what they are. 5 things to consider when buying surveying tripod

Again, as with most buying decisions, another thing you have to consider (apart from the cost) is the brand. While there are tons of sturdy tripods from lesser-known brands on the market, you can surely get your money’s worth when you invest in a tripod made by a trusted brand. Working in harsh outdoor conditions call for durable equipment. That’s why most surveying tripods are built to be durable enough to withstand the toughest field conditions. The downside of aluminum surveying tripods is that they aren’t completely temperature-resistant, so they may slightly expand or shrink from prolonged exposure to extreme temperature changes. For setups that last for a short period, aluminum surveying tripods are enough to get the leveling job done. Fiberglass The modern sturdy, but portable, tripod stand with three leg pairs hinged to a triangular metal head was invented and first manufactured for sale by Sir Francis Ronalds in the late 1820s in Croydon. He sold 140 of the stands in the decade 1830-40 and his design was soon imitated by others. [1] Choosing the right tripod material can no doubt make or break your project. So take a look at the common materials used for making tripods: WoodSome of NEDO’s aluminum surveying tripods , for instance, weigh a little over 8 pounds—which is as easy to carry as a healthy newborn baby. 3. Stability The right tripod choice is decisive if the indicated accuracy of an instrument is to be reached. The classification "heavy duty" and "light duty" is widely based on ISO Norm 12858-2. As with all purchasing decisions, you have to factor in your budget when choosing a tripod for surveying. Yes, portability, durability, and other tripod features are important considerations. But you don’t have to break the bank just to get all of these essential tripod features. Another popular choice of tripod material, fiberglass surveying tripods marry aluminum’s lightweight feature with wood’s temperature resistance. This kind of tripod is well-known for its ability to withstand harsh outdoor elements, making it ideal for prolonged use outdoors. Positioning the tripod and instrument precisely over an indicated mark on the ground or benchmark requires intricate techniques.

Tripods are essential pieces of equipment for any surveyor. Designed to support laser levels, theodolites, and other surveying instruments, they ensure accurate measuring and leveling. Even the best, state-of-the-art surveying instruments cannot work optimally without the support a good surveying tripod offers. Fixed length legs were also seen on older instruments. Instrument height was adjusted by changing the angle of the legs. Widely spaced tripod feet resulted in a lower instrument while closely spaced legs raised the instrument. This was considerably less convenient than having variable length legs. You need equipment durable enough to handle whatever field conditions you might encounter, especially in Ireland. When considering durability, material of which the tripod is made should be your main focus. Almost all surveying tripods are designed with telescoping legs and optimal extended heights. For common surveying and leveling tasks, you can easily find a tripod that can extend to your preferred height. While most tripod legs have a telescoping feature, you might want to consider getting a tripod with an elevating column.

We have an extensive range of Leica TPS total station accessories including batteries and chargers and also connecting cables, both for power and data transfer. Our precision Total Station carriers and tribrachs come with different features but for high precision we recommend having a plummet (laser or optical) included in either the tribrach or carrier. We also supply protective containers and bags for transporting and keeping kit organised. Leica memory cards provide data storage for recording important data which is invaluable. We supply a range of durable and ridged tripods for both the Total Station and the prism. The Total Station can be controlled remotely with the use of a radio handle or radio modem. Besides that, you might want to consider getting a tripod for surveying with an included bag and/or shoulder strap. Dutch Hill’s aluminum surveying tripods come complete with polyweb carrying straps. So once you fold them up, you can simply hold their straps and bring them wherever you need to. 5. Clamps