Surveying Tripod, Wooden Survey Tripod with 5/8-Inch 11-Threaded Flat Head with Twist Lock for Total Station Theodolite Auto Level (DW-1-FCT)

Allow me to first state that I am not a professional surveyor, so my review of this tripod comes more from my desire to use this for photo/video purpose in outdoor settings particularly in rugged terrain. The tripod is adjustable and mobile. You can indeed sling it over your shoulder, and if you are used to any sort of hiking with a pack, then this tripod will not feel too heavy for you. It is easy to set up and adjust, and the spiked feet help provide that much needed stability on uneven terrain (though you will not want to leave these tripods laying around where small children can get to them as those spikes are sharp!).The main thing to know is that if you want to use this for camera equipment, you will need to buy an appropriate adapter, and the truth is that there are enough inexpensive camera tripods that are lighter in weight than this surveying tripod, and will probably be sufficient for most outdoor filming/photographing purposes. The benefit of this surveying tripod is that it is heavier, and therefore more sturdy than your typical camera tripod, but if you are only using this for film/photography purposes, you will want to weigh the increased cost of a surveying tripod. That being said, if you are doing work in more rugged terrain with a lot of uneven ground, and enough wind/environmental factors that make a heavier, sturdier tripod preferable, then this could be a good solution for you.My only real critique is that I am not sold on the wooden legs. They look and feel strong, and survived a pretty heavy drop so far, but I am not sold on the durability of wood. It is probably the appropriate material for this price point, but I am not sure that the wear and tear of this thing getting thrown into your trunk, trekked through the great outdoors, and set up and broken down over and over again will bode well for these wooden legs in the long run. Time will tell.Overall, I like the tripod, and am happy to have one. I would recommend.

I ordered this to use with a laser level to layout initial square corners. It has a hollow threaded mount that accommodates a plumb bob, or, in my case, a laser plumb spot. It’s very basic and will accept a standard transit. I don’t know anything about modern surveying equipment so I don’t know if this works with GPS equipment.Setting it up takes some getting used to. The triangle mounting base is leveled by adjusting the leg lengths and angles. Im able to place it over a corner marker and project two lines at 90 degrees, locating the next two corners.It’s working fine for me. The leg locks don’t slip and the stand is solid and secure once it’s leveled and locked down.It looks just like an old stand I used in the 70’s.