Theodolite
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A theodolite is a precision optical instrument for measuring angles between designated visible points in the horizontal and vertical planes. The traditional use has been for land surveying, but it is
Diagram of an optical readout theodolite
Jesse Ramsden's Great Theodolite of 1787
A theodolite of 1851, showing the open construction, and the altitude and azimuth scales which are read directly
A theodolite of the transit type with six-inch circles, manufactured in Britain c. 1910 by Troughton & Simms
Total station
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A total station or total station theodolite is an electronic/optical instrument used for surveying and building construction. It is an electronic transit theodolite integrated with electronic distance
Theodolite
…readings a plan can be drawn, or objects can be positioned in accordance with an existing plan. The modern theodolite has evolved into what is known as a total station where angles and distances are measured electronically, and are read directly to computer memory. A transit theodolite has a telescope short enough to…
Archaeological survey using a Leica TPS1100 total station on an Iron Age dwelling in Ytterby, Sweden
A typical prism with back target. Used with survey and 3D point monitoring systems to measure changes in elevation and position of a point.