GPS unit advice needed

[lariat]

I have to rebuild some extremely old fences that are not straight and due to the terrain I cannot visibly shoot a line between the corner posts. What I want to do is the following:

1. Take each corner post as a waypoint.
2. Create a straight-line and accurate route between the waypoints and be able to walk that route accurately to set various stakes.
3. Alternatively, create waypoints in an app or on the GPS along that route to put down fenceposts.

Obviously it has to be accurate. What units do you guys recommend?

 

[Gemsbok]

Is there a reason that you wouldn't rebuild along the existing fence line?
Existing fences have always trumped survey lines in my world.

Your setting waypoints will work, but know that consumer GPS can easily have several feet of lateral error and many feet of vertical error.

 

[lariat]

Is there a reason that you wouldn't rebuild along the existing fence line?
Existing fences have always trumped survey lines in my world.

Your setting waypoints will work, but know that consumer GPS can easily have several feet of lateral error and many feet of vertical error.

The fence has been repaired and rebuilt several times and the other landowner (an old man) has placed a new corrnerpost - 2' onto his side. I suppose to get away from having to clean the fencerow. Which I went ahead and did. No reason for him to lose land to scrub in the fence. The old cedar posts are there but in some large sections they are totally missing and I cannot get a bead between them due to the terrain. Just looking for the most accurate GPS available. But you are correct, old fencelines and cornerposts beat surveys.

No need to take land that isn't mine. That's just shitty. We talked it out and agreed that I would do the whole fence if he supplied some of the posts and a roll of wire.

 

[mtwarych]

Sir,

A standard GPS will not help you set straight lines because as stated above, your gps can't tell if you have drifted from your line.

What I suggest is to use a gps to set your corner posts and then find a lensatic compass and a friend. Your gps should give you the azmuth you need to follow to your second waypoint set. Make absolutely sure if your gps is giving you true North or magnetic North and make sure your compass is set to the correct azmuth.

Shoot your azmuth, have your buddy walk to the exact point of your azmuth, place something visible like a small surveyors flag or a tuft of toilet paper if you are setting post soon, and shoot your complete line. Flags or flagging tape lasts much longer, if needed.

To stay as straight as possible, don't have your second man travel more than 40 to 50 yards at a time, half that for more confidence you are staying straight.

If you are navigating through or around a mined field, keep your compass shots short. Make sure to send your buddy forward first, just in case your land nav sucks. Make sure you supply lots of beer to keep your pacer unaware.

 

[John?]

I hired a surveyor to come out with his theatolite to put in markers. Cost was reasonable. High precision GPS units are not inexpensive

 

[lariat]

I hired a surveyor to come out with his theatolite to put in markers. Cost was reasonable. High precision GPS units are not inexpensive

I will probably go this route the more I think on it.

 

[Maggot]

If you are navigating through or around a mined field, keep your compass shots short. Make sure to send your buddy forward first, just in case your land nav sucks. Make sure you supply lots of beer to keep your pacer unaware.

You win post of the week...

But speaking of posts, I've seen old (Eastern) Red Cedar posts that have been in the ground 100 years or more and are still good. After the outer white part rots, you just re tamp and its good for ever.

Or tell Donnald youre working on a nuke for Iran and let them pinpoint it.

 

[Maggot]

I will probably go this route the more I think on it.

Cheaper than doing it wrong and then doing it again. Ask me how I know.

 

[chevy_man]

The last surveyor I used set a base station at a known point, and had a market unit to set stakes.

Combined they were $100k, but they got him within a 1/2" supposedly.