Some Interesting Facts About Compass Tripods & Other Tripods

By Carey Bourdier


Many people only think about tripods in relation to photography, and these helpful stands do help professional photographers and shutterbugs keep cameras stable in order to produce high-quality photographic images. However, this is just one type of tripod. There are several varieties used by many different professions.

For instance, if you are a surveyor, then you might need a surveyor's tripod or perhaps a compass tripod or survey compass tripod. Tripods have been used by people in the surveying world for centuries, helping them make all of their important calculations and measurements. The tripod might be used to hold a compass or an early version of a theodolite, especially in times' passed. Today, a surveyor definitely will use a sturdy tripod to hold a theodolite, which is a crucial device for any surveyor, measuring angles in both planes. Many surveyors also will mount a total station to a compass tripod or elevation tripod. The total station actual combines an electronic distance meter with a theodolite for precise calculations.

A compass tripod also sometimes is used to hold a device called a circumferentor. This device, often simply called a surveyor's compass, was used for many centuries until the theodolite was invented and you would mount it on your compass tripod to hold it steady. While the theodolite is most often the device of choice these days, professionals known as foresters still might use the circumferentor. Mining engineers also might make use of this device, as well. At any rate, it doesn't matter if a surveyor or perhaps an engineer is using a circumferentor, a total station or a theodolite, they will need a compass tripod or another variety of tripod to complete their work.

Imagine that you are out in the field, using your trusty theodolite or perhaps a total station. Perhaps you have the theodolite mounted to your tripod and ready to go, and after making a few observations, you wish to adjust the elevation of the tripod. It can be quite cumbersome to remove your theodolite, compass or total station, so using an elevation tripod can be an excellent option.

There are many positive aspects regarding elevation tripods, including their overall sturdiness. Not only can they handle the weight of a theodolite or another heavy device, all one must do to change the elevation of the elevation tripod is simply crank it up or down or turn the handle to reach whatever height you do need. While it is true that an elevation tripod can be fairly heavy, perhaps 25 pounds or more, this larger weight helps the tripod stay firmly in place and steady as you crank it up or down.

While the elevation tripod and also the compass tripod are certainly not the only types of tripods out there on the market, they are very popular for surveying and engineering tasks. When making a tripod purchase, it is important that you consider the source of your purchase. For instance, companies such as Warren Knight have been producing quality tripods for decades and engineer them specifically for those using devices such as theodolites and total stations. In addition to being able to handle the weight and size of your devices, you also might need a non-magnetic tripod, so be sure to inquire about this specification. In addition, weather resistance is important as you will be working outdoors and experiencing temperature and humidity changes and perhaps rain and other weather-related issues.




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