Essential Guide to Surveying Instruments and Devices

Leica Geosystems, surveying, surveyors, Topcon, trimble,

January 28, 2025

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Surveying instruments and devices enable surveyors to precisely measure distances, angles, elevations, and contours of the Earth’s surface.

They form the backbone of accurate mapping, land development, construction, and navigation projects. Below is a detailed look at commonly used surveying instruments and their applications.

Global Positioning System (GPS) instruments

Global Positioning System (GPS) is a system that utilises signals from satellites to provide precise locations on the Earth’s surface. It can also monitor the movement of any object, create a map of an area, move from one place to another, and make precise time measurements. GPS allows Surveyors to determine exact positions quickly and improves the accuracy and speed of surveying tasks.

Surveyors use are numerous types of GPS land survey equipment.

GPS receivers are used to receive signals from satellites to make calculations. GPS poles are used to mount GPS surveying equipment and typically come in different lengths, while GPS tripods are used for greater stability when mounting GPS equipment. A GPS antenna is a piece of equipment that successfully helps GPS systems receive signals from satellites.

GPS instruments are valuable in large-scale land surveying, construction, and geographical information system (GIS) projects.

Electronic Distance Measurement (EDM) instruments

Electronic Distance Measurement (EDM) instruments enable precise calculations of distances between points using light waves. They can quickly gather data, improving field time and the efficiency of surveying operations. EDM instruments are highly reliable and can measure distances of up to 100km.

The three types of EDM instruments include:

• Microwave instruments (tellurometers): Employ microwave technology for measurements and range up to 100km.
• Infrared wave instruments – Utilise prism reflectors to detect amplitude-modulated infrared waves from the end of a measurement line.
• Visible light wave instruments – Measure distances within a specific range using modulated light waves.

Total stations and theodolites are two common digital instruments used to carry out EDMs.  

Click here to read more about the three types of EDM instruments.

Total Stations

Total stations are optical/electronic instruments that merge the capabilities of an electronic transit theodolite with an electronic distance meter (EDM). They are also enhanced by a built-in microprocessor, data collection, and storage capabilities.

Equipped with powerful processors and software, a Total Station enables immediate data processing and storage of large datasets for further analysis. Total stations’ efficiency is valuable to many applications, including land surveying, mapping, construction site management, and infrastructure development.

The four commonly used total stations are:

• Manual (Mechanical) total stations
• Robotic total stations
• Scanning total stations
• Autolock total stations

Manual (Mechanical) total stations

These stations are reliable and require direct operation by a user to measure angles. They are often used in basic site surveys where project requirements do not need advanced features. 

Robotic total stations

Robotic total stations offer tracking and measuring capabilities. They automate data collection process, allowing for a single operator to use when the device automatically follows the target and records the data. Overall, robotic total stations enhance accuracy and reduce the need for manual intervention.

Scanning total stations

Scanning total stations combine measurement capabilities of traditional total stations with 3D scanning. This type of total station allows quick collection of detailed point clouds over a surveyed area, making the instrument ideal for capturing the dimensions and features of complex environments.

Autolock total stations

Autolock total stations feature automated detection and tracking of prisms for measurement. These instruments can quickly adjust to the target’s movements and is commonly used in engineering projects that require frequent and fast relocation of points under observation. 

Other types of total stations include:

• Semi-automatic total stations
• Rectorless total stations
• Hybrid total stations
• GPS total stations
• Prism total stations
• GNSS-integrated total stations

All types of total stations are important across all surveying, engineering, and construction projects.

What is a Total Station? A Comprehensive Guide

Theodolite

A theodolite is a surveying instrument used to measure horizontal and vertical angles accurately. It consists of a moveable telescope mounted to swivel both horizontally and vertically.

The electronic display on a theodolite allows for direct reading of angles and improves ease of use and accuracy. The angle of each axe is measured when the telescope is pointed towards a certain object.

Surveying tripod and mounts

Tripods and mounts are accessories that provide a stable platform for instruments such as total stations, theodolites, levels, and GPS receivers. Tripods are adjustable, which allows for setup on uneven terrain. Mounts secure the instruments to the tripod for correct positioning and alignment.

Levels

Levels are widely used in construction for setting foundations, checking floor levels, and other tasks requiring precise elevation control.

Levels are surveying instruments designed to provide auto-correction for slight tilts, ensuring highly accurate horizontal level measurements. Levels are critical for construction layout, foundation setting, road alignment and land grading.

This type of instrument comes in various forms, including optical, digital, and laser levels. Optical levels use a telescope to sight along a horizontal line, while digital levels display measurements electronically. Laser levels project a visible beam across surfaces to ensure precise alignment and levelling over long distances.

Prisms and Prism poles

Surveying prisms and prism poles are used with electronic distance measurement (EDM) devices. They reflect the instrument’s laser beam to its source for precise distance calculations.

Prisms are mounted on poles and positioned at specific points on the survey site. The pole supports the prism at a stable, measured height and allows the surveyor to accurately locate and move the prism to various required positions efficiently.

Optical Square

An optical square is a handheld device designed to establish right angles at multiples of 90 or 45 degrees. It consists of two pentaprisms and helps mark points along a line, measure offsets, outline curves or define horizontal planes.

Prismatic Compass

Surveyors use a prismatic compass to navigate and measure the bearing of lines of the traversing, including angles between them, direction, and waypoints.

A prismatic compas is primarily used in field surveys, navigations, and preliminary site evaluations. It allows easy reading of the compass scale while spotting a distant target, making it an essential tool for surveyors to conduct land assessments and mapping projects.

Leading brands in surveying instruments and equipment 

Leica Geosystems, Trimble, and Topcon Positioning Systems are leading brands in surveying. These brands offer advanced instruments, such as total stations and GPS systems, to meet the precise needs of geospatial, engineering, and construction professionals.

Leica Geosystems

Leica Geosystems stands as a global leader in providing high-precision surveying equipment. As part of Hexagon, Leica are renowned for their innovative technology and offer a comprehensive range of products. These include total stations, GNSS systems, laser scanners, and software systems. Leica Geosystems is committed to enhancing project site productivity and safety through its advanced and reliable instruments. 

Trimble

Trimble offers a range of advanced positioning technologies in the surveying and engineering industry. Their equipment is designed to drive significant improvements in project management and execution. Some products include GNSS receivers, UAVs, 3D laser scanning systems, total stations, and data collection and analysis software.

Topcon Positioning Systems

Topcon Positioning Systems is a leading manufacturer of precision measurement and workflow solutions for the surveying and engineering markets. The company offers a wide range of equipment, including robotic total stations, GNSS receivers, 3D scanning systems, and enterprise solutions for effective data management and analysis.

Topcon has a global presence and focuses on developing integrated solutions that enhance accuracy, productivity, and efficiency to help overcome challenges in complex projects.

New positioning system SouthPAN now available in Australia and New Zealand

SouthPAN, short for Southern Positioning Augmentation Network, is a satellite-based positioning system introduced by Australia and New Zealand. It enhances the accuracy and reliability of Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) such as GPS, Galileo, and others, to deliver precise location data. SouthPAN is the first Satellite-Based Augmentation System (SBAS) in the Southern Hemisphere, designed to meet the unique geographic and environmental needs of the region.

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