Point of Beginning articles from October 2003

Point of Beginning archives from October 2003

Further and faster -- Sokkia's Series30R expands the EDM envelope.(Advertisement)
October 1, 2003... Sokkia's renowned Series30R Reflectorless Total Stations -- featuring RED-tech EDM -- have just got even better! The new SET230R 2-second (0.6mgon) model can measure distances up to 150m (490ft.) without a reflector. What's more, a handy...

Survey pro in the field. Foresight in the office. Analyze, adjust, plot and manage your field data with easy-to-use tools.(TDS ForeSight)(Advertisement)
October 1, 2003... More surveyors choose TDS Survey Pro[TM] than any other data collection and field computation software.* And when it's time to head back to the office, TDS ForeSight[TM] computer-aided surveying software can help you analyze, adjust, plot and...

Introducing Leica's new TPS1100 with PowerSearch. The fastest way to survey.(More Power for Faster Surveying)(Advertisement)
October 1, 2003... Leica's new TPS1100 PowerSearch robotic total stations provide the ultimate in robotic surveying productivity and flexibility. With just a touch of a button PowerSearch finds the prism rapidly -- no matter where it is -- and you're ready to...

Marketing done right.(Editorial)
October 1, 2003... Like many surveying and engineering firms, yours may send out press releases as part of its marketing efforts. And, although press releases are great ways to increase the exposure of a company, promotion efforts can't stop there; you must go...

Editorial mission.(Editor's Note)(Advertisement)
October 1, 2003... POB magazine is published to help the progressive surveying and mapping professional succeed. The magazine achieves this mission through concise and aggressive coverage of work in private practice and government by: * highlighting industry...

Take another look at Nikon total stations: fast, accurate and reliable-and now from TDS.(Nikon Total Station)(Advertisement)
October 1, 2003... Tripod Data Systems now offers Nikon[R] total stations. That means you can get all your data collection hardware and software from one source--your TDS dealer. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] All Nikon total stations feature superior optics for...

Viewpoint: August 2003.(Letters to the Editor)(Letter to the Editor)
October 1, 2003... Amen! He's (Bill Beardslee) right on. [I] enjoyed the article. Over the years I have heard many of the same comments that Bill spoke of. For the most part, here in Vermont we're looked upon as a trade and the sad part is this perception is...

Professional topography: August 2003.(Letters To The Editor)(Letter to the Editor)
October 1, 2003... Mr. Paiva's suggestion for surveyors to get into crime and accident scenes is a good idea; in fact, I knew a surveyor who made a very good living at that years ago. Unfortunately, now, that is another form of surveying that is being done...

Continuing education is just a click away!(Advertisement)
October 1, 2003... POB magazine and Auburn University (AU) have partnered to bring you a convenient source of continuing education. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Auburn's complete catalog of high-quality video, CD-ROM and Web-based correspondence courses are...

When your reputation is at stake ... Trust the reliability of Leica GPS. It's smarter.(Advertisement)
October 1, 2003... At Leica Geosystems we know the GPS world is changing, and it's all about technology. But we also know technology by itself is not enough. The technology has to be easy-to-use and designed for reliable, everyday use. The Leica System 500 GPS...

From concept to completion; Leica Geosystems introduces a new concept: High-definition surveying.
October 1, 2003... Every decade or so a new technology comes along that enhances a surveyor's work. The 1980s saw the emergence of the reflectorless total station (TPS) and the '90s introduced the eventual proliferation of the global positioning system (GPS)....

Bill supports homeland security through geospatial information.(The Latest News)
October 1, 2003... The terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, served as a wake-up call for citizens and government agencies. In a speech following those attacks, President Bush said, "The first minutes and hours... that's the most hopeful time to save lives......

Spanning southern France: detailing the bridge construction that produces less traffic, cleaner air and breaks a record.
October 1, 2003... A construction project that results in quicker commutes for its residents and cleaner air is easy to admire but not unheard of. One that will rise to a height greater that that of the Eiffel Tower, however, is rare. In fact, the Viaduc de...

Concrete Marker.(Advertisement)
October 1, 2003... Concrete Markers are just one of the many choices you have at Berntsen. Berntsen's C-1 Concrete Markers have the classic 3" split-style tapered stem and anchor solidly in concrete or rock. They can be detected using a magnetic locator when an...

The Networking Nucleus.
October 1, 2003... It's only the beginning. But the vision is big. The city of Renton, Wash., is currently undertaking a major update of the city's Geographic Information System (GIS) data. Spearheaded by Robert MacOnie, PLS, mapping coordinator for the city,...

Crossing into the digital world.
October 1, 2003... When the task before you and your group is to record the best possible data on more than 2,700 railroad crossings, you immediately begin to consider the most efficient means of technology possible. The Mississippi Department of Transportation...

Between the lines: an update on OSHA's traffic safety revisions.(Occupational Safety and Health Administration)
October 1, 2003... I have written about traffic safety in previous articles, but alas, the times are changing. Last year, OSHA, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration of the Department of Labor, revised the Sign, Signal and Barricade section (29 CFR...

New! C&G survey 6.0.(Advertisement)
October 1, 2003... Land Surveying Software by Land Surveyors New C&G Survey 6.0 Incorporates the Autodesk[R] engine and offers core AutoCAD[R] and C&G Survey features for the affordable Price of $1795. Now you can have the best of both worlds: a lower cost...

Surveying solutions.(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... Each month we present a surveying problem from the second edition of 1001 Solved Surveying Fundamentals Problems by Jan Van Sickle, PLS. As in the following example, the answer will appear beside the problem, in a shaded box. We hope you enjoy...

Comic corner.
October 1, 2003... Caption: SURVINATOR 2: CONSTRUCTION DAY Submitted by Wendell T. Harness, PLS, Tucson, Ariz.

Company mergers.(On the Level)(Opinion on the positives and negatives of mergers)
October 1, 2003... In June, POB asked its E-mail newsletter readers for comments on company mergers and acquisitions. One respondent suggested that mergers and acquisitions are "threatening" the surveying industry and that some companies are becoming monopolies....

Good-sense and guiltless giving.(The Business Side)(charitable contribution)
October 1, 2003... The phone rings in your office, you answer and on the line is a telemarketer asking for a charitable contribution. The next few minutes are spent trying to find an owner or manager to decide whether to make a donation. This is repeated many...

FME 2003 X2 Suite by Safe Software Inc. The latest in digital data translation technology.(In Review)(Advertisement)
October 1, 2003... If an elephant were wearing a couple of good pairs of Nike tennis shoes, you might not know he was behind you until you smelled the peanuts on his breath. That is the way some people feel about GIS. It sort of "snuck up" on them. Now some of...

Advanced graphics technology; new technology in DTM opens new business opportunities for surveyors.(2003 Editors Spotlight)(Digital Terrain Models)
October 1, 2003... The construction industry is rapidly moving toward automated machine control systems for grading. These new construction systems provide superior job control and huge savings in earthwork construction. They also open up a major new market for...

The ProCogo suite deal; ProCogo 2004 TIN master DTM legal-aid 2004 ProCalc 3.0.(Introducing ...)(Advertisement)
October 1, 2003... All four for only [$495.sup.00] (over [$900.sup.00] value) Need COGO, Contours and Legal Descriptions? ProCogo 2004 is now computable with TIN Master DTM and Legal-Aid 2004. Get both of these programs plus the new ProCalc RPN Calculator...

Carlson Software.(2003 Editorial Spotlight)(Advertisement)
October 1, 2003... Carlson Software would like to thank all of our customers and partners who have contributed to our success over the last 20 years. We are proud to celebrate this landmark anniversary and will continue providing software and support that exceeds...

Carlson SurvCE: take data collection to the next level.(New Version)(Advertisement)
October 1, 2003... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The Innovative Windows CE[TM] Data Collection Solution Recognizes wireless Bluetooth[R] connections automatically. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Easy to use contouring. Automatic Area Calculation. Simply...

CNA/Schinnerer: meeting all your insurance needs with SurveyorOne.(2003 editorial spotlight)(Advertisement)
October 1, 2003... Schinnerer has partnered with CNA Insurance Companies and the American Congress on Surveying and Mapping (ACSM) to develop an insurance program specifically for land surveyors to protect against losses from professional liability claims arising...

It's your job to know your customer's terrain. It's our job to know yours.(Advertisement)
October 1, 2003... At CNA/Schinnerer, we've studied the business of land surveying as thoroughly as you study a piece of land. That understanding helped us create SurveyorOne,[SM] the comprehensive insurance program designed specifically for the surveying and...

Cyra technologies inc., a division of Leica Geosystems: new laser scanners and more.(2003 Editorial Spotlight)(Advertisement)
October 1, 2003... Cyra/Leica Geosystems has reinforced its position as the laser scanning industry's first-choice supplier with the announcement of its third-generation, time-of-flight laser scanner and point cloud processing software, plus a new,...

High-definition surveying[TM] - by leica: laser scanning re(de)fined.(Advertisement)
October 1, 2003... Leica Geosystems has coined a new name for laser scanning technology: High-Definition Surveying, or HDS[TM]. Why? First, High-Definition better describes its single most distinguishing feature - high density data & rich images-compared to...

Hayes instrument company: sales, service and financial solutions for surveyors.(2003 Editorial Spotlight)(Advertisement)
October 1, 2003... Home of the Hayes "Worry-Free" Lease We are located in Shelbyville, Tenn., approximately 55 miles southeast of Nashville. This centralized location allows us to be only two to three days' ground shipping for a majority of surveyors and...

MENSI Inc.(2003 Editorial Spotlight)(Advertisement)
October 1, 2003... MENSI designs and produces both hardware and software products. Its 3D scanning tools, including the GS-series and S-series scanners, use laser technology to capture the shapes of physical structures or scenes and convert then into digital...

Your new laser scanner for accurate and fast surveying.(Advertisement)
October 1, 2003... * Accelerate your data capture workflow, * Sensitivity/accuracy optimized to 200 meters, * 350 meter OverScan[TM] capability, * Real time true color management, * Motorized 360[degrees] field of view, * Capture digital...

MicroSurvey Software: Michigan DOT chooses MicroSurvey FieldGenius.(2003 Editorial Spotlight)(Department of Transportation)
October 1, 2003... True field-to-finish surveying, a graphical interface and an ability to operate on multiple Windows CE platforms were the Michigan Department of Transportation's (MDOT) main priorities when it was looking to replace its old data collector...

Data collection for under a thousand bucks.(Advertisement)
October 1, 2003... ValuePack * All weather/hard use case * FieldGenius XG 2.0 Basic loaded on 128 MB compact Flash storage card * DB9 cable connector * HP data collector* sold separately at your local electronics store FieldGenius XG 2.0:...

Optech: ILRIS-3D: 3D imaging for today's demanding applications.(2003 Editorial Spotlight)(Advertisement)
October 1, 2003... Optech's ILRIS-3D is a complete, fully portable, laser-based imaging and digitizing system for the commercial survey and industrial market. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ILRIS-3D is compact and highly-integrated, with an integrated digital...

Add texture and true colour to your 3D scan data ...(Advertisement)
October 1, 2003... Optech's ILRIS-3D Intelligent Laser Imaging System gives you scanning ranges beyond 1,000 m and is a complete laser surveying solution: accurate, eyesafe, rugged, easily portable and deployed by a single operator. ... WHILE RETAINING...

Riegl USA.(2003 Editorial Spotlight)(Advertisement)
October 1, 2003... Riegl's innovative approach to 3D scanning enables firms to do everything associated with 3D scanning more effectively. * Acquisition point cloud analysis is done faster, better and more clearly. * Post-processing steps and analysis...

3D Scanning ... is ideal for DOT projects.(Advertisement)
October 1, 2003... Lidar and Photogrammetry in One System LMS-Z360 The Z360 and PolyWorks[R] provides a comprehensive 3D Scanning Solution to drive you from data acquisition to deliverables. Riegl Pro Work Flow [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] *...

Silver Shield: do we measure up to the expectations of our raving fans? You be the judge ...(2003 Editorial Spotlight)(Advertisement)
October 1, 2003... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] There are few products that enjoy the fanatic customer loyalty of Mercedes Benz, Harley-Davidson... or Silver Shield. Today, the company counts hundreds of thousands of end users in its ranks of raving fans. More...

Sokkia Corporation: a solution to your product, service and support needs.(2003 Editorial Spotlight)(Advertisement)
October 1, 2003... When customers buy Sokkia, they're buying value. Around the world, Sokkia products are known for their ruggedness, quality and dependability. Sokkia products range from the high-tech (total stations, GPS systems, data collection and software)...

Introducing the GSR2650 LB; the first autonomous system for GIS and surveying with decimeter-level accuracy.(Advertisement)
October 1, 2003... GSR2650 LB Systems GIS -- Ready for OmniStar's VBS and HP service RTK Base -- Add capability to transmit RTK messages RTK Rover -- Add capability to receive RTK base transmissions with NMEA format interface * Autonomous,...

SubSurface instruments: SubSurface instruments announces another first: lifetime warranty on the ML magnetic locators (ML-1 and ML-1M).(2003 Editorial Spotlight)(Advertisement)
October 1, 2003... * First and only lifetime warranty on the ML locators: "Lasts a lifetime, and then some." * First five-year warranty on metered units (April 1998, now replaced by lifetime warranty). * First one-hand operation locator (April 1998). ...

SubSurface instruments.(Advertisement)
October 1, 2003... 210-D North 21st Street * Purcellville, VA 20132 540-338-1202 * Fax: 540-338-1852 www.SSLocators.com * SSLocators@aol.com Design, Manufacture, Distribution, Service & Support of Magnetic Locators, Pipe & Cable Locators, and Water Leak...

Topcon: Topcon GPS+ technology: ten facts you should know.(2003 Editorial Spotlight)(Advertisement)
October 1, 2003... What's different about Topcon GPS+ technology? We want to use this spotlight page to help you understand that Topcon is GPS... plus a whole lot more. 1. GPS+GLONASS In addition to offering dual-frequency GPS solutions, Topcon gives...

Put your old total station to real use.(Trade-in Offer Extended)(Advertisement)
October 1, 2003... Trade it in on a new Topcon robot! There's still time to trade-in* your old Topcon or other select brand total station and get up to $4000 credit on a new GTS-810 or GPT-8000 series robot. * Radio-Free Optical Communication--Topcon's...

Trimble Geomatics and engineering division.(2003 editorial spotlight)(Advertisement)
October 1, 2003... Solutions from the Trimble Toolbox. Today's survey industry is vastly different from the one experienced by surveyors in the past few decades. At Trimble we are constantly looking for ways to develop new solutions to help you become more...

Monumental range.(Advertisement)
October 1, 2003... Trimble DR300+ is Really Going Places When it comes to fast and accurate distance measurement without a prism, the Trimble 5600 DR300+ Total Station stands heads and shoulders above the crowd. Capable of measuring half a mile to a 90%...

Leica Geosystems: smarter solutions.(2003 Editorial Spotlight)(Advertisement)
October 1, 2003... Leica Geosystems offers an unbeatable combination of advanced technology, dependable performance, user-oriented application software and technical support in GPS and TPS products for surveying, engineering and GIS. The result is SMARTER...

Thales Navigation: changing the face of GPS surveying.(2003 Editorial Spotlight)(Advertisement)
October 1, 2003... Thales Navigation, one of the world's leading developers, manufacturers and marketers of global satellite positioning, navigation and guidance equipment, has begun an ambitious effort to break down barriers to GPS adoption and change the way...

Tripod Data Systems: all companies have things to tell you, but ... what's in it for you?(2003 Editorial Spotlight)(Advertisement)
October 1, 2003... All companies make claims and tell you about their products, and in the end it all boils down to one thing: what does it mean for you? After all, you're the one who uses the products, so you want the straight scoop on what they really do for...

Bentley Systems released PowerSurvey.(New & Notable)(Advertisement)
October 1, 2003... 401 Bentley Systems released PowerSurvey. CAD-based PowerSurvey provides immediate visualization throughout the survey workflow and communicates with all industry-leading survey data collectors while supporting the DGN and DWG file...

MicroSurvey Software Inc. offered a new FieldGenius ValuePack that includes a heavy-duty, ruggedized PDA protector (with lifetime guarantee), a 128 Mb Compact Flash storage card loaded with FieldGenius XG 2.0 and a DB9 cable that works with standard total station cables.(New & Notable)(Advertisement)
October 1, 2003... 402 MicroSurvey Software Inc. offered a new FieldGenius ValuePack that includes a heavy-duty, ruggedized PDA protector (with lifetime guarantee), a 128 Mb Compact Flash storage card loaded with FieldGenius XG 2.0 and a DB9 cable that works...

NavCom Technology Inc. announced that Delta Data Systems Inc. completed the integration of its Pocket DLog software for topographic survey applications with NavCom's high-performance, high-accuracy, RTK GPS equipment.(New & Notable)(Advertisement)
October 1, 2003... 403 NavCom Technology Inc. announced that Delta Data Systems Inc. completed the integration of its Pocket DLog software for topographic survey applications with NavCom's high-performance, high-accuracy, RTK GPS equipment. Pocket DLog is a...

Leica Geosystems announced Version 1.05 firmware for the GS20 professional data mapper (PDM), featuring support for Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) and Hypertrak GPS tracking.(New & Notable)(Advertisement)
October 1, 2003... 404 Leica Geosystems announced Version 1.05 firmware for the GS20 professional data mapper (PDM), featuring support for Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) and Hypertrak GPS tracking. The GS20 is the first GIS/GPS product to combine the...

Sokkia introduced the Series030R reflectorless total station models SET1030R3, SET2030R3 and SET3030R3.(New & Notable)(Advertisement)
October 1, 2003... 405 Sokkia introduced the Series030R reflectorless total station models SET1030R3, SET2030R3 and SET3030R3. The Series030R instruments feature Sokkia's cutting edge RED-tech EDMs. Narrow objects, walls, corners and objects with small...

Applanix announced that its POS MV product line has been enhanced by the introduction of TrueHeave technology.(New & Notable)(Advertisement)
October 1, 2003... 406 Applanix announced that its POS MV product line has been enhanced by the introduction of TrueHeave technology. This improved filtering tool provides the hydrographer with a more accurate heave estimate even in the most challenging...

Prosurv LLC released Prosurv CE version 3.7.3 and Prosurv PC version 2.2.5.(New & Notable)(Advertisement)
October 1, 2003... 407 Prosurv LLC released Prosurv CE version 3.7.3 and Prosurv PC version 2.2.5. Prosurv CE is surveying data collection software for Windows CE handheld PCs. Enhancements include Leica TCA/TCRA 1100 series robotic support in Prosurv CE or...

Blue Marble Geographics released a new version of the Geographic Calculator.(New & Notable)(Advertisement)
October 1, 2003... 408 Blue Marble Geographics released a new version of the Geographic Calculator. This new version introduces support for custom local coordinate systems using a polynomial Best-Fit method that links a local system to a geodetic coordinate...

Omnistar high Performance[TM] DGPS: bringing decimeter accuracy within reach.(Advertisement)
October 1, 2003... Introducing OmniSTAR High Performance (HP), our revolutionary new DGPS system that redefines the standard for differential correction. OmniSTAR has developed cost-effective, reliable real-time corrections enabling high-accuracy applications...

RPLS.COM connection: here are a few messages from a thread called "Nostalgic moments.".(Letter to the Editor)
October 1, 2003... Posted By Nate Dearyan on 6/11/2003 at 7:07 PM Do you remember dragging a chain (200' or 300' tape) through the woods and suspending it 20' plus over creeks in the days of a transit and tape? Posted By Sam Stakeout on 6/11/2003 at 7:17...

GPS surveying on your terms; Thales Navigation.(Advertisement)
October 1, 2003... The new Thales Navigation Z-Max[TM] surveying solution makes your crews more productive in the field and improves the return on your equipment investment. How? In two ways. Superior RTK performance and a bold new, modular design. Imagine a...