Thread: Maps

Back in the day I was a Land Surveyor. This was when theodolites, levels staffs etc were tools of the trade. It was a least a two man job, one holding the staff and the other doing the readings. Calculations were done with a calculator and written on paper. The first plot was in pencil. The second plot was in ink on an overlaid sheet that you could see the pencil plot underneath. Names etc were put on using a pen and a stencil.
GPS was in its infancy and as it was primarily a military tool the civilian edition had a built in error, quite a large one.
Now someone walks around the area to be surveyed with a pack on his back and the GPS does the rest.

Back in the day I was a Surveyor on geophysical surveys. This was when theodolites, levels staffs etc were tools of the trade. It was a least a two man job, one holding the staff and the other doing the readings. Calculations were done with mental arithmetic and tables, and written on paper.

Calculators were the size of a typewriter, weighed about15kg, and cost more than a month's pay, and we did not even dream of using one.

The first plot was in pencil. The second plot was in ink on an overlaid sheet that you could see the pencil plot underneath. Names etc were put on using a pen and a stencil.
GPS was not even dreamed of, although its predecessor, TRANSIT, was being tested, but would not actually be available to us for another twenty years.

Originally Posted by Tins

I have a few different map apps, some good, some not. Most cost $$$. But if you want good offline maps then have a look here: Getlost Maps – Free Topographic Maps of Australia

On iOS and Android there is an app called Avenza. The app is free but their maps are not, but the GetLost maps are free and can be downloaded into the Avenza app. I haven't tried them out yet but I'm off for a couple of days in the high country next week and am keen to test them against my others.

So, you'll be missng for 6 or so months then? Keep a good lookout for Airline Pilots.

Originally Posted by spudfan

Back in the day I was a Land Surveyor. This was when theodolites, levels staffs etc were tools of the trade. It was a least a two man job, one holding the staff and the other doing the readings. Calculations were done with a calculator and written on paper. The first plot was in pencil. The second plot was in ink on an overlaid sheet that you could see the pencil plot underneath. Names etc were put on using a pen and a stencil.
GPS was in its infancy and as it was primarily a military tool the civilian edition had a built in error, quite a large one.
Now someone walks around the area to be surveyed with a pack on his back and the GPS does the rest.

Really? That should reduce the cost of having one's property surveyed in future.
Just a quick walkaround to show the bloke/woman where the existing & possibly incorrect, points are plus a few sums, what could possibly go wrong?

Had a case here a few months ago. My Frog neighbour thought he'd put one over me by pulling out the timber survey pegs (don't ask) even though the ignorant bastard could be fined about $2000 per peg for so doing. (the cost of replacing them)

A person who deliberately moves or removes a survey peg (other than to build on the boundary or as permitted under the Survey Act 1992 (SA)) commits an offence. That person can be fined up to $2000 and will be liable to pay for the boundary to be re-surveyed [s 52].14 Nov 2014

Spoke to an old Survey Draughtsman acquaintance down the road. who sorted out the correct points.
He explained that the practice is, they hammer in a 12" length of of twisted Reo rod about 30 cm away from the peg when it was placed. Referring to the ground plan I knew which direction it was in. He took off some online Drawings of our corner so with a bit of measuring & faffing about I was able to locate the exact spot of the removed pegs which had been surreptitiously covered up by Napoleon with tamped soil & Leaves, grass etc.


Grabbed a spade & brushed (no need to dig, just brush it around) it around the surface & BINGO, I hit the top of the Reo peg. Carefully measured around & was able to find the original Peg position. Hammered in a couple of Star Piquets & left a couple of 30cm red tape markers on them. (Thought afterwards I should have tried to get some Tri-colour or even White Tape) I hope he was suitably mystified.


I was told Surveyors today use a Metal Detector to locate the steel peg.

I took images of the latest position in relation to other objects, Tank valve, post etc for future reference.


I guess this practice is Oz Wide to locate 50 x 50mm rotted Wooden Pegs.

'Allo 'allo, you should have waited until he planted some garlic on your ground, before moving the peg back.