Best products from r/Surveying

We have an old Schondstedt like /u/HighArctic shows, and it's a great backup. The thing must be like 30 years old but still trucks along.



Our MagnaTrak 202 worked great for a long time. Now Bosch bought out CST / Berger, and I got the run-around to get it repaired from our local dealership. I'll probably end up sending it out to this guy in Texas that always advertises in the survey magazines.



I have heard really good things about the newest Maggie. Supposedly it is a similar technology to their old pistol style locators but in a more ergonomic package and normal batteries. I loved that old pistol for sectional work as you could sling it across your shoulder in the holster and basically forget about it till needed. Nice and compact.

It's like $10 and super nice. 9 pockets and place for cards. Also as a surveyor this laser measure is the best thing I've ever bought Tacklife HD40 Classic Laser Measure 131Ft M/In/Ft Mute Laser Distance Meter with 2 Bubble Levels, Backlit LCD and Pythagorean Mode, Measure Distance, https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N9TCRJ4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apap_EwXBMztMSStgj

There's no definitive book on the history of land surveying that I know of. Measuring America by Andrew Linklater does a pretty good job and covers a lot of the early history of Land Surveying. I also enjoyed Chaining Oregon by Kay Atwood, it looks at the begining of the Federal Survey system in Washington and Oregon States. It does a good job of showing the day to day workings of a Land Surveyor of the time. Drawing the Line is a history of the Mason-Dixon line, which as you probably know is one of the most well known Survey projects.

Just bought this on Amazon:

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https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07DL1TL46/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

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Great stuff! My hand sketches can use any help they can get.

I use the TX A&M Forestry Service oftentimes in the field, works ok from a smartphone. We also carry a copy of this guy in the glove box of the truck. There is a pretty decent introduction on there, as well, that kinda outlines the basics of tree ID'ing. The tough thing about starting right now in our neck of the woods is the time of year, most trees around here are barren of leaves so you have to go off dead leaves on the ground, branch patterns, and bark.

Good luck! It sounds like a tough endeavor, but tree surveys are fun times, man.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B073JSX6HF?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title Breathable pants, there are better out there but this was the only 32x28 I could find.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B07KYMX28Y?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title - Nice sleeves, convert any short sleeve into a long sleeve. Not the best build quality, do not wash with any velcro. They will tear the sleeves up.


Both of those are a magnet for sticker bushes, fair warning.


If you want better sleeves that hold up and don't catch stickers-
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00KBZT3SY?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

This one is a little hotter being a full shirt, but lasts way longer.

The sleeves may only last a summer or two. The shirts I've had for 3 years without much stitching loss

I mount my rods fixed to the ceiling of the canopy with an old gun rack straps similar to these: https://www.amazon.com/Rugged-Gear-10075-Overhead-Rack/dp/B00CI204YU/ . Kind of pricey unless you can find an old pair but they work perfectly

Or just a smaller compartment. Compartmentalizing is the key for keeping equipment in top shop.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0135000378/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1499833179&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=surveying

A good book that explains a lot with good examples, I am sure you could find it much much cheaper but I highly recommend it for learning the basics.

Komelon 7125IE Monster MagGrip Inch/Engineer Scale 25-Foot Measuring Tape with Magnetic End https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0013L8E8U/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_hnG6Cb49NQ0EX

By far my favorite tape! My Lufkins are dipping tapes haha

I was a setting out engineer on a greenfield site, 6km bypass road. My company refused to get me a 4x4, said I could borrow site agents... he wouldn’t let me near his brand new truck! Anyway, ended up buying one of these to cart everything around in. Got the shit ripped out of me but it saved my back/legs!

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B00HU2OBNS/ref=sspa_mw_detail_4?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Did you know Amazon will donate a portion of every purchase if you shop by going to smile.amazon.com instead? Over $50,000,000 has been raised for charity - all you need to do is change the URL!

Here are your smile-ified links:

MagnaTrak 202

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Never forget to smile again | ^^i'm ^^a ^^friendly bot

LaCie Rugged Mini 4TB USB 3.0 / USB 2.0 Portable Hard Drive + 1mo Adobe CC All Apps (LAC9000633) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01789QMUW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_GuOSCbTMFPSW2

This is a solid one for work. If it’s a little too rugged for you then I’d recommend any good ole WB My Passport. I have a 1TB at work, a 2TB I keep plugged into my home computer.

Zebra delgard has unbreakable lead technology. I'm a heavy handed lefty so this was a game changer for me.
Zebra DelGuard Mechanical Pencil with Bonus Lead Refill, Fine Point, 0.5mm Point Size, Standard #2 HB Lead, Black Barrel, 1-Count https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LNNZS90/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_leXVDbQSQHV5V

20% Picaridin is my go-to. The stuff is non greasy feeling and doesn't damage plastics like sun/eye glasses or reflective bits on your vest like DEET. I recently noticed this stuff is on clearance at Target
Repel HG-94138 Tick Defense Unscented Aerosol-6.5 ounce https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FPQQWQA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_WE8yzb1MHPQ6S

Does Colorado use the NCEES PS test in addition to the State test? If so I suggest Surveying Solved Problems by Van Sickle.

Surveying Solved Problems for the FS and PS Exams, 4th Ed https://www.amazon.com/dp/1591264871/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_h8z7Cb5AYZH44