Doing a particularly difficult layout using a rotary laser and wishing there were professional level alternatives to Trimble at the $1k price point – in looking I found that Hilte has a much less expensive tool but it is still $15k, does anyone know an accurate tool that can be programmed with the foundation plan and lays out everything quickly in the field?
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I am 10 years retired as a professional land surveyor. So my knowledge may be a little out of date.
A 'total station' or GPS are your only options for quick and accurate layout. And of course expensive. Still, you must have a solid grasp of the instrument adjustment and calibration procedures.
Look at used total stations. A 'robotic' allows for one man layout. Older versions require that you input xyz coordinates rather than having the CAD drawing uploaded.
One option that comes to mind is the 1st gen Leica robotic total station. They were pretty much junk near a roadway. The servo tended to lose track of the prism and follow a car mirror. On a site layout they were good. The local survey equipment dealer will know availability.
In 30 years I've had only two clients attempt their own surveying. One of them came back. Good luck.
Thank you for the opinion, very helpful. I am surprised there is not a solution aimed at builders or excavators as laser and GPS are cheap and lots of layouts don't really call for a surveyor (not just about $, also about time in the schedule).