Calibration Reminder

Aaron S

Active Member
On the Calibrate screen, it shows the last time you calibrated a certain sensor. I'm always asking (but never remember) how often to calibrate the compass, levels, and level offset. Since there's plenty of room on the screen, why not have a little line below each button saying when the suggested re-calibrate time is? If the factors are based on temperature, time, etc. it seems the LS could easily compute these and either have pop-up reminders when it's time to re-calibrate, or just a simple line of text on the Calibrate screen.

On a related note, the "correct for tilts" function is so awesome. I know others have it, but with the LS I can intentionally move the pole out of plumb, and see maybe 1 or 2 epochs go outside the group, but after the pole stops moving, the next epochs start popping back in place - you can see it correct in real time. So cool! As long as the calibration is good, I don't even have to see the bubbles on tall shots.
 

Javad

Administrator
Staff member
JAVAD GNSS
5PLS
You need to calibrate the compass any time the environment change. If you calibrate in open area and few minutes later you get close to big metal objects, you must calibrate again. If not much trouble, start your job with a calibration exercise. It is good for muscles too!!!
 
On a related matter, am I correct that the correct for tilts function is NOT to be used with the 'boundary-control' action profile? Seems like I had an email from Matt to that effect, but, I can't find it...
 

Javad

Administrator
Staff member
JAVAD GNSS
5PLS
May be Matt meant that if you are close to metals, be careful. Let's see what he meant.
 

Adam

Well-Known Member
5PLS
On a related matter, am I correct that the correct for tilts function is NOT to be used with the 'boundary-control' action profile? Seems like I had an email from Matt to that effect, but, I can't find it...
I will use it with the boundary profile on a corner. I calibrate right then and there first and shoot it twice tilting it different direction for each shot. Works great. I would not use an old calibration on a boundary corner.
 

Adam

Well-Known Member
5PLS
Here is a rebar I shot a couple weeks ago. I calibrated the LS right there. I shot it twice leaning different directions. The two shots were averaged and that line checked to record within a few hundreths.

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KIMG0859.JPG
 
Adam: this is impressive! When you say that you calibrate the level on the spot, are you using the 'level offset' routine in the 'Calibrate' menu and just using your pole?

Another question that Nate raised sometime ago was how to do the 'Levels' calibration. There are some protrusions on the LS body that make it inconsistent with the orientation of the flat surfaces (like the top and bottom) when you rotate the LS as instructed. Does this matter?
 

Shawn Billings

Shawn Billings
5PLS
Level calibration seem to hold for a very long time. The only calibration I perform routinely is the compass calibration.

With the level values showing on the compass button, you can always check the calibration by seeing how close the values are to 0 when the pole is plumb. If the values are greater than 0.2° it's probably time to perform the level offset calibration again. The Levels calibration will not usually need to be redone.

I use the Base/Rover statistics button to check the compass. Back away from the base after starting it, click on the base/rover statistics box and look for the R>B value, which is abbreviation for Rover to Base. This provides the direction and distance from the base to the rover. Then point the LS to the base and see how the compass value compares.

I use tilt correction intentionally. In other words, I generally do not have it turned on. If a calibration is off then the correction could introduce error that you would otherwise avoid by using the vials. In Adam's example, I would use the tilt correction exactly as he has used it, taking two shots to verify the correction. I would then switch it off for subsequent collection.

I do have tilt correction on for quick topo. These shots are low order, so even if the correction adds a little error, the speed of collection using lift and tilt is more important.
 

Adam

Well-Known Member
5PLS
Adam: this is impressive! When you say that you calibrate the level on the spot, are you using the 'level offset' routine in the 'Calibrate' menu and just using your pole?

Another question that Nate raised sometime ago was how to do the 'Levels' calibration. There are some protrusions on the LS body that make it inconsistent with the orientation of the flat surfaces (like the top and bottom) when you rotate the LS as instructed. Does this matter?
Calibrate compass from home screen 2, Same as Shawn.

When doing the level calibration it just has to be within five degrees of level. So the bump outs don't cause much trouble. Just eyeball it.
 
Last edited:

Matt Johnson

Well-Known Member
5PLS
On a related matter, am I correct that the correct for tilts function is NOT to be used with the 'boundary-control' action profile? Seems like I had an email from Matt to that effect, but, I can't find it...

Yes I would not suggest leaving correct for tilts enabled by default for locating boundary monuments. If you are using tilt correction for monuments you should check the compass and level offset calibration before you start.
 

Aaron S

Active Member
So back to my original question, the calibration frequency would be

Compass: Frequently
Levels: Rarely
Level offset: Occasionally

Does that sound right?
 

Adam

Well-Known Member
5PLS
I would say As Needed for the compass. Sometimes I go quite a while without the need to calibrate it.
 
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