Whether you are completing a relatively simply surveying task or you are working on a large-scale project, quality survey tools are essential, and at Warren Knight, we can provide surveyors with surveying tripods, theodolites, transits and much more. Let’s take a look at some essential pieces of surveying equipment.

 

But First, A Brief History Of Surveying

Surveying has been around for thousands of years, and the profession of surveying is just as important today as it was back in ancient Greece and ancient Egypt. Without great surveyors, we would be without iconic structures such as the Great Pyramids, the Parthenon, the Taj Mahal, the Tower of Pisa (ok, maybe not that one), the Great Wall of China and countless other ancient structures.

 

Of course, surveying isn’t just about construction. Surveyors, such as Lewis and Clark, set out on grand adventures to properly map entire countries. Surveyors also settle land disputes and can even help improve the safety of our roads, bridges and other critical infrastructure.

 

In the earliest times, tools such as chains, ropes and plumb bobs for surveying tasks. As technology advanced, survey tools included items such as Gunter’s chain, an early version of a surveyor’s compass, known as a circumferentor, the Zenith telescope and eventually the theodolite, most notably the Great Theodolite, which was designed by British mathematician Jesse Ramsden and used to complete the Ordnance Survey of Britain in the 1780s. While the Great Theodolite was five feet in diameter, Ramsden also designed smaller theodolites and survey tools that were practical for fieldwork.

 

Today’s Essential Survey Tools

Surveyors today still use many of the same tools that have been used for centuries, although our modern versions are far more accurate. These are just a few of the options we have available at Warren Knight.

 

Surveying Tripods – While some survey tools are handheld, many need to be mounted to a tripod or stand. When choosing surveying tripods, you will want to pay particular attention to the materials. Tripods can be built using wood or aluminum, and each of these materials has its pros and cons. For instance, if you are worried about vibrations, wood might be a better choice, but if you are worried about weight or changes in moisture, you might prefer an aluminum tripod.

 

Clinometers – A clinometer measures angles of slope, and this can help determine elevation. There are many different types of clinometers or inclinometers, including pendulum clinometers, vernier clinometers, drum clinometers, scale ball clinometers and optical clinometers.

 

Surveyor Compasses – Not only can compasses help one navigate, but this handy field instrument also can help surveyors measure distance. A forester’s compass also can be a handy surveying tool. Foresters can use these to measure tree height, and these also are used by logging engineers and timber cruisers.

 

Theodolites – These helpful survey tools are used to measure angles in the horizontal and vertical planes. Transits, which are similar to theodolites, also are used for many surveying tasks. Theodolites are more precise, but they also tend to be bulkier and more expensive, so a transit might work for some applications.

 

Total Stations – Total stations include a theodolite as well as an electronic distance meter and a data collection and storage system. They look similar to theodolites but are even more accurate and have the advantage of electronic data recording. Of course, this convenience comes with a higher price tag and most surveyors will need special training to learn how to use the total station.

 

Quality Survey Tools & Custom Designs

Warren Knight has been designing and producing high-quality survey tools for more than 100 years. In fact, you can even find some of our beautiful, antique equipment on sites such as eBay. However, we know you need the latest technology for your current surveying tasks, and we offer a wide selection of survey tools, including:

 

  • Surveying tripods (and many other types of tripods)
  • A Surveyors Compass
  • A Foresters Compass
  • Theodolites
  • Transits
  • Clinometers & More

 

While we have designed many precision instruments for surveying, navigation, meteorological tasks, calibration and other applications, if you don’t find exactly what you need on our website, please contact us. We can create just about any type of custom measuring tool or alignment instrument that you might need.

 

Equipment Rentals

Of course, survey tools can be expensive, but we have some economical options for our customers. We can rent surveying tripods (and other tripods, rods and stands), clinometers, total stations, theodolites and much more. We have weekly and monthly rates available, and we encourage you to ask about our rental-purchase plan. If you like the instrument you are using, you can opt to buy it and your rental monies will act as credit toward your purchase.

 

No matter what type of survey tools and instruments you might need, Warren Knight can provide you with the highest quality precision instruments. So, whether you need surveying tripods, a clinometer, a theodolite or something else entirely, contact us at any time to ask about our custom designs and equipment rentals.