A total station is the ultimate in survey instruments. A total station combines a digital theodolite and an EDM that work together with a microprocessor to rapidly and accurately perform tasks. With this combination, the total station can measure horizontal and vertical angles, slope, and horizontal and vertical distances. A total station... also has a built-in calculator that performs trigonometric calculations, as well as an electronic field notebook used for storing data. The total station can interface with a computer for data transfer.
Total stations are mainly used by land surveyors and civil engineers, either to record features as in topographic surveying or to set out features (such as roads, houses or boundaries). They are also used by archaeologists to record excavations and by police, crime scene investigators, privat+ More
