Survey Bipod Equipment | How to Adjust for Accurate Results

When it comes to quick setups or situations where a surveyor needs to act quickly, a survey bipod is the best tool for the job. It is a specialized piece of equipment, set on two legs, meant to hold various surveying equipment, such as a theodolite, or a GPS receiver.

The idea is of course for it to hold the equipment as stable as possible to conduct any land surveying tasks. However, it does come with its shortcomings which is the main reason why people resort to tripods rather than bipods. Nevertheless, they still have their advantages, and people from the industry are using them on a regular basis.

To help you understand the importance of bipods for surveying, we will address their advantages and disadvantages, but will also explain how to set up a surveyor's bipod.

Surveyors Bipod

Whether it is a mini survey bipod or a larger one, picking the right option requires you to look through various specifications.

Survey Pole Tripod

Survey Bipod with Rectangular Thumb Screw Head

Made of heavy-duty construction aluminum
Rugged for indoor and outdoor surveying, measuring, and construction
Specially designed open-clamp for accommodating all present free-standing surveying poles and rods such as prism poles (including all Leica GLS reflector poles), laser poles, GNSS/GPS antenna poles, radio poles, rover rods, range poles, etc.
Metal twist knob locking mechanism offering fast attaching or detaching of the poles
All quick-release thumbs holding the telescopic legs at your desired working height
Equipped with metal feet with replaceable tip points for easy transfixing to the ground, ideal for hard, slippery, or uneven surfaces
Comes with a red rugged carrying bag for carry-around and easy storage
Highly visible fluorescent red (RD) ideal for poorly-illuminated working sites
Customization service available
Minimum Height: 1.13m (44")
Maximum Height: 1.85m (72")
Uncrushable Metal Head Clamping Diameter: 25.4-40mm (1-1?")
Aluminum Tube Diameter: 0.9-1.0mm
Leg Locking System: All Thumb Release (TR)
Head Locking System: Metal Twist Knob Lock
Color: Fluorescent Red (RD)

Head Style: Rectangular Thumb Screw Head
Locking System: Thumb Release
Clamping Range: 60mm (2.36")
Height Range: 113-185cm (3.7-6ft)
Compatible with most medium-duty leveling rods/staffs (aluminum, fiberglass, invar, bar-code, digital)
Thumb Release Locking System for easy and fast locking and unlocking
Light-weighted and compact, easy to move around and set up
Specially-designed feet tip-toes ensuring stability on hard, slippery, or uneven surfaces
Comes with a strong carrying bag for convenient carrying and transport
Optional: Leveling Staff Ground Plate/Change Plate (GPS)
Available Colors: Black, bright red, bright green, or bright yellow

Bipod Survey - Main Uses, Advantages and Disadvantages

A bipod for surveying is meant to stabilize instruments like GPS receivers, poles, or rovers. It consists of adjustable legs, a head for mounting instruments, and locking mechanisms to maintain stability. Nevertheless, a lot of people still hate using them as they don’t provide enough accuracy,

Compared to tripods, survey bipods are an inferior piece of equipment, But they do have their uses within the industry. They thrive in situations where speed is of utmost importance. They are much easier to carry in rough terrains and allow you to set them up much quicker. Also, they are often used to support GNSS/GPS receivers and other lightweight instruments.

More importantly, they could be really handy if you don’t have support for your controller, you can easily place it on your survey pole and free up your hands that way. A bipod provides you with a stable platform where you can simply step back take your points and take photos of the site that you are mapping.

Another benefit of the bipod is to establish your GPS rover in a plumb position. You can level it perfectly over the point you are seeking to map, step away from it, and it will stay completely level. Therefore, if you want statistical stability and you want to average the position for a prolonged period of time and simply observe the RMS values, a bipod will allow you to have a nice stable setup for those prolonged occupations.

Survey Bipod vs Survey Tripod

Here is how a bipod for surveying stacks up against a survey tripod.

Characteristics	Survey Bipod	Survey Tripod
Stability and Support	Two Legs: Offers less stability compared to a tripod because it only has two points of contact. Moderate Stability: Suitable for quick setups where extreme precision is not as critical. Less Wind Resistance: More susceptible to movement in windy conditions.	Three Legs: Provides superior stability due to the triangular base formed by three points of contact. Greater Stability: Ideal for precise measurements where maximum stability is crucial. Wind Resistance: Better at withstanding wind and vibrations due to its stable structure.
Usage and Application	Quick Setups: Ideal for quick, less precise tasks such as setting up temporary benchmarks or holding a prism pole. Specific Instruments: Often used to support GNSS/GPS receivers and other lightweight instruments.	Precision Tasks: Commonly used for tasks that require high precision, such as detailed topographic surveys and construction staking. Variety of Instruments: Supports a wide range of instruments, including surveying poles, theodolites, and GPS receivers.
Adjustability and Versatility	Adjustable Height: Typically has some adjustability in leg length, but less range than a tripod. Specific Use Cases: Primarily used in conjunction with poles and rods, offering less versatility compared to tripods.	Adjustable Legs: Usually has more adjustable features, allowing for precise leveling on uneven terrain. Versatile Use: Can be adapted for use with various surveying instruments due to its robust and flexible design.
Portability	Highly Portable: Lightweight and easier to transport, making it convenient for quick field adjustments and setups.	Less Portable: Heavier and bulkier, which can be a drawback for surveyors who need to move frequently between sites.
Cost	Lower Cost: Typically cheaper, making it a cost-effective option for less demanding tasks.	Higher Cost: Generally more expensive due to its more complex construction and higher stability.

How to Adjust a Surveying Bipod?

Setting up your bipod survey instrument does not differ so much when setting up a surveying tripod. But there are still some major differences that may confuse some people.

1. Pre-Adjustment Preparations

Start by inspecting your equipment. Check the survey bipod legs for wear or potential damage. Be sure that the legs are free from debris and check all the joints and connections so they can provide adequate stability.

2. Initial Setup and Positioning

Be sure to pick a good point and stable ground where to set up your equipment. Spread the legs to ensure optimal stability. You can pin them down to the ground so when you move your legs to fine-tune, you don’t need to drag them on the ground and mess everything app. Make sure to set the adequate bipod height so as to match your survey equipment and their uses.

3. Fine-Tuning the Bipod

After you secure the legs to prevent movement, you need to adjust the head to ensure it is level. Each bipod comes with a bubble level to help you level it up and two buttons on the side to help expand and move the legs. After you let go of the buttons, the legs are locked in and they won't move anymore.

4. Securing the Surveying Instrument

Now comes the time to attach the needed survey bipod parts. Mount the instruments you need and ensure that they are tightly secured and balanced. You can use the surveying bipod prism pole so it helps you with the balance and also allows you to mount added equipment which may even allow you to do various GPS surveys.

5. Practical Tips for Accurate Measurements

While surveying, you might need to re-adjust the bipod from time to time. Being that it is not as stable as a surveyor tripod, checking if it is level from time to time will help it be more effective. Also, make sure that all the instruments that you are using are clear.

Bipod Surveying Conclusion

While the opinion about using bipods is divided among surveyors, they absolutely have their own uses and advantages. Yes, it is true that for a much more serious survey that requires pint-point accuracy a tripod is a much better option. But if you need to set up quickly and precision is not the primary aim, a bipod is a good option.

Plus, they are much less expensive than those bigger surveying equipment, especially compared to a tripod. Some surveyors are able to completely rely on bipods and even use them in construction and various other types of sites. All in all, depending on your need as a surveyor, you will be able to get by with a survey bipod with ease.

Survey Bipod FAQs

For more information on survey bipods, check the answers below.

Is a bipod worth it?

Yes, it absolutely is. If you need to do quick surveys where time is of the essence and you need to set up fast, a bipod is a much better option. Also, if you need to get to a hard-to-reach area where you can’t really carry any added equipment, a bipod could be a good choice.

How to calibrate a survey rod?

Calibrating a survey rod ensures accurate measurements and involves inspecting the rod for damage, using a flat, level surface, and comparing the rod to a reference measurement. The rod must be aligned vertically using a level, and any discrepancies between the rod and the reference should be marked and adjusted accordingly.

After making adjustments, the rod is rechecked for accuracy, and the calibration process, including any adjustments, is documented. Regular calibration is recommended, with frequency depending on usage, and proper handling and storage are crucial to maintaining the rod's accuracy.

What is the function of a bipod in surveying?

A survey bipod supports various kinds of surveying applications and activities. Their main function is to keep all the surveying instruments level, especially when doing it on uneven terrain. The instruments involved are targets, prisms, GPS antennas, rover rods, range poles, or prism poles.