Determining distance with transit

Could someone help with this??

Thanks,
Tom

Thanks alot!! You've really helped. Transit I bought is brand new Craftsman (Berger). Nice instrument. Just using it around my 6 acres to build walls, level ground etc. No way professional!!

After reading all the postings I checked it out and it is kind of simple, just read and subtract and do the math.

Thanks,
Tom

So, you measure distance by subtracting the lower measurement from the upper measurement (in tenths or hundreths of a foot - don't use fractions) and then multiply by one hundred.

Also, don't forget two important items.

First, the rod MUST be parallel (and vertical) to the transit. So have the rodman slowly rock the rod back and forth. Take the the LOWER value reading for each crosshair. This is critical to accurate measurements.

Second, don't forget that taking meareurements up or down a hill does not give horizontal distance. It will give you actual distance. If you are truly doing survey work, i.e., putting it on paper to calculate horizontal distance, etc., you must calculate your vertical angle and convert to a horizontal distance.

I have included my e-mail address. Feel free to contact me for more info. Sometimes written descriptions aren't real easy to understand.

Good luck.

Kim

P.S. If you got one of the older transits, take care of it. When I went to buy one, thinking it would be cheaper than a newer theodolite, I found out the same thing many tractor owners have found. Older transits are now collector's items!

Well I feel like a real DUHHHHH! You're right. Just count the 8ths between upper and lower and do a little math. Just didn't get that from the instruction manual. Did some experiments to confirm. THANKS!!!

Tom