"With a few clicks, the device can calculate an object's height based on readings of its distance and the angle to the top. It accomplishes in seconds what had taken all day using old-fashioned surveying instruments and skill in trigonometry."
Bullchips!!!!!!
Actually that statement is partially correct. If using
old-fashioned surveying instruments; from the 1800's.
With today's technology (Specifically in land surveying) I can measure the height of any visible object with less that one tenth of a foot error in less than 2 minutes; up to 1200 meters away and even further with some of the latest and more expensive surveying equipment.
His hand held device has an obvious defect insofar as a precise measurement would require in that he MUST hold the device perfectly still long enough to give accurate measurement to any true level of accuracy. While standing still, he takes a first reading at the base of the tree, and then while remaining perfectly still he MOVES the device to take a separate second reading at the top of the tree. In that short space of time, his entire body and most especially the hand holding his device MUST remain rigid at the base angle (IE. Where the device is in his hands): otherwise errors in measurement will compound to give false readings.
Still, I have little doubt that his measurements (If done correctly every time) are within a 5-10% degree of accuracy with the methods he is using. Meaning that if the tree is 400' tall, he should be able to obtain a rough estimate of the trees height, within 20-40' of the trees true height.....
Worse: Are you aware what the top of a 400' tall tree located on a high mountainous area is doing most of the time? It is almost constantly moving, with any slight breeze the top of the tree is swaying to and fro, back and forth. Add more error to his measurements.
However, more importantly my main point for this post is that modern handheld technology cannot replace TRULY accurate measurements using modern measurement (Surveying) technology; and more especially with that modern technology being in the hands of those skilled and knowledgeable in measurement technology (Professional Surveyors).
I emphasize the term ACCURATE MEASUREMENTS……
Another example of this is in the handheld GPS devices that are so popular these days. Folks think that the Wal-Mart GPS handheld unit that they bought will allow them to survey land, find boundary corners and even set missing boundary corners ………… as good as and just like a Professional Land Surveyor, and at a fraction of the cost…………
I could spend hours discussing the errors in that thinking.
Bottom line is this: If you REALLY want to know the PRECISE location of your property boundaries, put the Handheld GPS unit back in the hiking gear bag and hire a professional land surveyor; and the same thing goes for measuring tree heights in your backyard; unless you decide to climb it to the very top branch and drop a tape down through the foliage. Best of luck hangin on to that swaying branch.
