caver.adam@outlook.com
Member
I've been trying to work on a simplified calibration method. Yesterday I tried the method out in my backyard and I got an error of 0.35 degrees and a max error of 1.05 degrees.
Today I tried the method out in my backyard and got an error of 0.49 degrees and a max error of 2.24 degrees. The differences physically were that I had moved about 3 feet (in my backyard), had left a tablet sitting ~1 foot away, had a tripod 3 feet away, and had my keys in my right pocket during the second attempt. I also went a LOT faster the second time. Maybe I should have been more careful. However, I'm guessing that those aren't enough to cause this much of a difference. But I don't really know.
I'd like to try to fine-tune this simplified method. It makes it a lot easier for people to calibrate. That should make it less likely for people to skip calibration, especially when they don't have a local compass course set up.
I uploaded a youTube showing the method because I believe in scientific evaluation. If anyone is able I'd be interested to hear if they can repeat my results.
https://youtu.be/IYAKCc9ZCJ0
I plan to try this in a cave next time I can (I don't get into caves often while working and doing an executive masters). I'd like to try this out in a high end compass course, but I won't be able to do that and compare my results in the near future.
Here's the basic method:
Today I tried the method out in my backyard and got an error of 0.49 degrees and a max error of 2.24 degrees. The differences physically were that I had moved about 3 feet (in my backyard), had left a tablet sitting ~1 foot away, had a tripod 3 feet away, and had my keys in my right pocket during the second attempt. I also went a LOT faster the second time. Maybe I should have been more careful. However, I'm guessing that those aren't enough to cause this much of a difference. But I don't really know.
I'd like to try to fine-tune this simplified method. It makes it a lot easier for people to calibrate. That should make it less likely for people to skip calibration, especially when they don't have a local compass course set up.
I uploaded a youTube showing the method because I believe in scientific evaluation. If anyone is able I'd be interested to hear if they can repeat my results.
https://youtu.be/IYAKCc9ZCJ0
I plan to try this in a cave next time I can (I don't get into caves often while working and doing an executive masters). I'd like to try this out in a high end compass course, but I won't be able to do that and compare my results in the near future.
Here's the basic method:
Equipment: DistoX2, 8" plastic square (triangular with 45 degree edge), tablet with topoDroid app (for post processing only), a flat surace (I used plexiglass).
Setup: Find a surface that is fairly level. Use your flat object (plexiglass or other) and make sure the surface is stable. Use the bottom wide edge of the plastic square to form an edge on your flat surface that you can butt the distox up against. Put the disto into calibration mode with no calibration shots saved. Press down on the square and keep pressure in order to keep it from moving.
Up/Down shots: Place the disto on the flat surface facing up. Push the disto up against the square so that one edge of the disto is flat against the square. Take a calibration shot. Rotate the disto 90 degrees around the laser direction (still facing up). Repeat until 4 shots complete with disto rotated each 90 degree turn while butted up against square. Point disto down and repeat.
N/S/E/W shots: Face the disto in your first direction (North for this description). Repeat the same steps as in Up/Down except make sure that the disto faces north for all 4 shots. You will have to turn the disto face-down in order to complete this. In order to get the face-down shot, first press the timer button on the disto, then press the shot button, then put the disto in place to take the shot making sure it is oriented and flush with the square before the timer completes. Repeat for S/E/W directions.
Angled shots: Set the square upright standing on its wider edge. position it so that it is at a 45 degree angle (compass directions) from it's orientation during the last set of instructions. Line the disto along the edge facing 45 degrees (clino directions) facing upwards. Take 4 shots while rotating the disto 90 degrees around the laser path each time. Then turn the compass so it is pointing down along the 45 degree (clino directions) edge and repeat. Next, you have to turn the square so that it is facing in a new compass direction by turning it 90 degrees. Then repeat the shots up along the edge and down along the edge. You will turn the square 3 times and shoot 8 sets of angled shots total.
Use the tablet or your PDA to download the 56 calibration shots from the disto and calculate the calibration co-efficients and errors.
For any confusion, see my youTube video.