Land Surveyor Tools

Land Surveyors in our community know that if you don't have the right tool, the job cannot be finished.   Surveyors know how important it is to have the right tools for the job. While the specific equipment needed may vary depending on the type of surveying being done, there are some basic tools that every land surveyor needs. Here is a list of the top tools used by land surveyors on a daily basis:

1. Surveying Instrument: A total station, drone or GPS/GNSS equipment with a plumb system is necessary for almost all types of surveying work. Total stations are preferred as they save valuable time by recording data on each shot.

2. Surveying Tripod: A sturdy tripod with a 5/8 x 11 threaded bolt is essential for holding instruments securely and remaining level without vibrating.

3. Prism Pole and Prism: If you're using a Total Station that is not "reflectorless", you will need a prism pole and prism.

4. Magnetic Locator: If you want to locate property corners accurately, a magnetic locator is a must-have tool. The Schonstedt 52Cx is a reliable and affordable option.

5. Brush Axe: A brush axe is handy for clearing a path through the woods and marking boundary lines on trees.

6. Surveyor Safety Vest: A reflective Class II surveying vest with pockets for storing cell phones and batteries is essential for safety.

7. Surveyors Roll Flagging: Some have said that Presco Texas Flagging is the best and most durable option for marking lines or tying around property corners and trees.

In addition to these tools, it's also a good idea to carry both a field book for taking notes on the job site as well as your Land Surveyors United Digital Fieldbook for quick support. Among other things needed daily, wood stakes or rebar for marking property corners, and other surveying supplies like inverted marking paint, transit level, and survey nails and tacks. Land surveyors carry their office with them.

Lastly, it's always a good idea to have some extra tools and supplies on hand just in case. Consider adding tools like a distance measuring wheel, hammer, gammon reels, plumb bob, walkie-talkie radios, and bug spray to your survey truck. With the right tools and supplies, you can ensure that you're always prepared for any surveying task.

Want even more cool tools to try out?   Here are some tools created just for Land Surveyors, by A to Zenith.

🧭 Compass Surveying

Description: A traditional surveying method that uses a magnetic compass to determine the direction and angle of survey lines relative to magnetic north. It is primarily used for preliminary surveys and navigation in the field.

📐 Coordinate Offset

Description: A tool for calculating the offset distance between a known coordinate and a new point, useful for setting out points in the field with precision relative to an established grid or baseline.

🌐 Coordinates System Converter

Description: Converts coordinates between different geodetic datums and coordinate systems, ensuring compatibility and accuracy across various mapping and surveying projects.

🔄 Coordinate Transformation

Description: Applies mathematical transformations to convert coordinates from one system or projection to another, crucial for integrating data from different sources.

📏 Curvature Correction

Description: Adjusts survey measurements for the Earth's curvature, which is essential for achieving precise long-distance measurements.

📊 Curve Calculator

Description: Calculates the parameters of curves, such as radii, length, and degree of curve, used in the design and layout of roads, railways, and other infrastructure projects.

📈 Elevation Level Loop

Description: A tool for calculating and adjusting elevations in a level loop survey to ensure all points are consistent and accurate relative to a common datum.

🔺 Ellipse Error

Description: Evaluates and visualizes the error ellipse in a survey, indicating the uncertainty in the position of surveyed points.

🔄 Feet to Meters

Description: Converts measurements between feet and meters, accommodating projects that require different units of measurement.

🧰 Field Kit

Description: A collection of essential tools and resources for field surveyors, including calculators, measurement converters, and reference materials.

🌍 Geodetic Computations

Description: Performs advanced geodetic calculations, including distance, angle, and area measurements on the Earth's surface, essential for high-precision surveys.

🌎 Geoid

Description: Computes geoid heights, which represent the shape of the Earth's mean sea level, used to correct elevation measurements for greater accuracy.

🧭 Grid Azimuth

Description: Calculates the azimuth of a line relative to grid north, necessary for navigating and plotting courses on maps with a defined coordinate system.

📏 Height Calculator

Description: Determines the height of objects or points above a reference plane, useful in topographic and construction surveys.

➕ Intersection Calculator

Description: Finds the intersection points of lines or curves, aiding in the layout and design of various infrastructure projects.

📐 Irregular Parcel Calculator

Description: Calculates the area and perimeter of irregularly shaped parcels of land, essential for property boundary and land use planning.

📜 Legal Descriptions

Description: Generates detailed and precise legal descriptions of property boundaries, required for deeds and other legal documents.

🖋️ Legal Description Writer

Description: Assists in drafting accurate and legally sound descriptions of land parcels, streamlining the documentation process for surveyors and legal professionals.

📏 Scale Factor

Description: Computes the scale factor for converting between map and ground distances, ensuring accurate representation of features on survey maps.

🔄 Three Point Resection Tool

Description: Determines the location of an unknown point by measuring angles from three known points, commonly used in triangulation surveys.

🔧 Traverse Adjustment

Description: Adjusts traverse measurements to close any gaps or errors, ensuring that the survey forms a consistent and accurate loop.

🌐 Traverse Network Adjustments

Description: Refines a network of traverse lines by adjusting measurements for precision, used in large-scale surveying projects.

📏 Trigonometric Levelling Calculator

Description: Calculates elevations using trigonometric principles, useful for high-precision vertical measurements in challenging terrain.

➕ Vector Components

Description: Decomposes vector measurements into their component parts, aiding in the analysis and computation of survey data.

🧰 Vendor Toolkit

Description: A set of tools provided by equipment vendors for the calibration, maintenance, and operation of surveying instruments.

📊 Vertical Curve Calculator

Description: Computes the parameters of vertical curves, such as length and gradient changes, essential for the design of roads and railways.

🎥 Video Studio

Description: Produces instructional and demonstration videos for surveyors, enhancing training and field procedures through visual learning.

Land Surveyors United members use a LOT of different types of tools to accomplish their daily work. We, of course, are not merely talking about Total Stations and GPS equipment.

More specifically, we are talking about community tools such as mobile apps, our support forum and various other tools for finding the type of information Land Surveyors need each and every day. In this page you will see a gateway to many of those important tools, including Hubs for getting targeted advice in the field.