Paperless Cave
Surveying
News:
PocketTopo Version 1.34 available
for download (6/3/2010).
Technical articles about the
DistoX and the calibration algorithm on the Downloads page (5/11/2010).
DistoX Accuracy Precaution
Memo on the Downloads page (5/11/2010).
The “paperless system” is an
integrated electronic cave surveying tool. It consists of two parts: A combined
Disto/compass/clinometer and a PDA based program to store and manage the
measured data and to draw sketches directly on the screen. The two devices are
connected by a wireless Bluetooth connection. Measurements are visible on the
PDA screen within seconds. Results can be transferred to PC based cave
surveying applications and graphics editors.
Advantages:
-
Less errors (no
typos, no sighting errors, no mud
covered paper, …)
-
Free orientation
of the device (no leveling)
-
Free choice of
direction (no steepness restriction)
-
Free cross
section measurements (no RLUD rules to follow)
-
Immediate
visualization of measured data
-
Immediate
consistency checks
-
Faster and more
precise sketching
Once you worked this way, you will never go back to
paper and pencil!
The DistoX
The DistoX consists of a
Leica Disto A3 and an upgrade kit which adds a 3-axis compass and clinometer
and a Bluetooth connection. The upgrade kit consists of a PCB with a bunch of
SMD components. It connect to the display of the Disto, reads the measured distances
from it and displays the angles provided by the compass and clinometer. Up to
4000 measurements are stored in the device.
The upgrade board can easily
mounted inside a Disto and fits entirely inside the original A3 case. No
compromise to the robustness of the device!
The DistoX can be used as a
stand-alone measuring device without a PDA, but the full power of the system is
only available if the two devices are used in combination.
More information is
available in the manuals on the downloads page.
Upgrade kits are available
on demand. Write to 
to get more information.
This work is not related to Leica
Geosystems AG.
I do not provide complete devices. You have to buy a
Disto and modify it yourself.
Opening and modifying a Leica Disto will void the
manufacturer’s warranty and is done at your own risk!
Don’t bother Leica with questions about the DistoX!
The PocketTopo
Application New: Version 1.3
PocketTopo is a .Net Compact Framework application running on most Windows Mobile devices including cheap PDAs and several Smartphones.
PocketTopo receives the
measurements directly from the DiostoX. It allows to manage survey data,
reference points, and trip information. Several views are available to show and
edit the data: textual representation, cave map, and sketches. The sketch views
show survey shots and cross sections and allow to make drawings directly on the
screen, in both outline and side view.
PocketTopo allows any number of
cross section measurements in arbitrary directions. This is a big help for
precise sketches. All data editing and drawing operations support unlimited
Undo/Redo. To prevent data loss, changes are stored continuously to nonvolatile
memory.
The application also runs in a
Mobile Device Simulator or directly on a Windows PC with the .Net Framework
installed.
PocketTopo does not run on Palm
devices. Palm owners may use the Auriga application instead.
The PocketTopo application
and the manuals are available free of charge on the downloads
page.