Compact and Portable Tripods for Surveyors on the Move
Rolatube’s compact and portable surveying tripods are built for professionals who move frequently between demanding construction and infrastructure environments. Designed to address the challenges of traditional tripods, they offer a lightweight, space-efficient alternative that supports surveyors in the field.
Contents
- Rolatube’s Surveying Tripods
- Challenges of Traditional Surveying Tripods
- Why Choose Rolatube’s Surveying Tripods
- Rolatube’s Range of Surveyor Tripods
- Why Compact Tripods are Essential for Surveyors on the Move
- FAQs
Rolatube’s Surveying Tripods – Innovation with Rollable Composite Technology
Rolatube’s construction tripods are built using patented bi-stable rollable composite material, resulting in tripods that are lightweight, durable, and maintenance-free.
Originally developed for military applications, this technology ensures that surveyors benefit from tried-and-tested reliability in industrial settings.
Whether the requirement is construction, surveying, or infrastructure development, Rolatube tripods reduce equipment footprint, cut setup time, and minimise carry weight.
Challenges of Traditional Surveying Tripods
Surveyors often work across multiple job sites and in diverse environments, from open urban developments to remote, hard-to-reach terrain.
In these dynamic settings, transporting traditional construction tripods can be a time-consuming and physically demanding task. Their bulk and weight not only slow down movement between locations, but also require more storage space and careful handling to prevent damage.
When travelling further afield, traditional telescopic tripods are too large to be included in hand luggage, incurring extra cost and time when needing to transport equipment by plane.
Setting up and packing down conventional tripods often takes longer and may need more than one person, especially in rough conditions.
Additionally, traditional tripods are more likely to degrade in harsh environments, with issues such as corrosion, mechanical failure, and component wear that increases downtime.
Why Choose Rolatube’s Surveying Tripods
Rolatube’s tripod systems are adapted from military technology, where reliability and space-saving are critical. With no moving parts to jam or freeze, they ensure long-term operational reliability.
Multiple height and load configurations make them customisable for every job, offering solutions tailored to a range of surveying and construction applications.
Key Benefits of Rolatube Tripods
- Portable design: Man-portable and easy to carry, ideal for surveyors navigating difficult terrain or moving between job sites.
- Quick deployment: Deploys in minutes, maximising productivity and minimising downtime.
- Space-saving storage: Packs down so small they can be clipped to a bag or belt, or even fit in a large pocket.
- Lightweight but robust: Built using PP-glass fibre composite for a lightweight yet robust structure.
- Hand Luggage suitable: Unlike telescopic tripods, Rolatube’s tripod systems can be carried onto commercial planes as hand luggage.
Uses for Rolatube’s Surveying Tripods
Rolatube tripods support a wide range of tasks by providing a suitable, portable base for surveying instruments, such as total stations, theodolites, digital levels and GNSS equipment.
- Measuring horizontal and vertical angles and distances for mapping terrain, defining property boundaries, and planning construction sites.
- Determining height differences across a site to set foundations, plan drainage, and support roadworks, providing valuable data for construction planning, with some considerations for sightlines over taller objects or uneven terrain.
- Establishing reliable reference points and coordinates to act as control positions for ongoing site measurement.
- Setting out structures, utilities, and road alignments to ensure accurate construction, with the potential to enhance precision using adjustable heights for longer sightlines or uneven ground.
- Capturing multiple measurements to produce detailed topographic information, with flexibility for additional levelling or repositioning to optimize accuracy.
- Providing a platform for GNSS base stations to deliver accurate positioning across larger projects.
Rolatube’s Range of Surveyor Tripods
System 30: Industrial Compact Tripod (ICT)
A versatile tripod, System 30 is perfect for civil engineering, and construction applications.
Compact when packed, just 190mm x 200mm x 180mm, but extends up to 1290mm. Choose from 650mm or 1250mm legs for flexible operating heights.
Despite a weight of only 2.84kg (7.67lb) with all the ancillaries, this tripod supports loads up to 100kg (220,46lb) when using the leg tie, making it ideal for surveying equipment and cameras in remote or urban construction sites.
System 50: The All-Purpose Construction Tripod
System 50 is a high-performance tripod with legs available in 1m, 2m, and 3m lengths.
Supports loads up to 115kg, and packs down to just 250mm x 320mm x 260mm.
Versatile enough to mount equipment, or support Rolatube masts when guy ropes and pegs can’t be used – making it ideal for measuring, lighting, and surveying.
Surveying Tripod Comparison Table
| Feature | System 30: ICT | System 50 |
|---|---|---|
| Pack-Down Size | 190mm x 200mm x 180mm | 250mm x 320mm x 260mm |
| Minimum Height | 145mm | 900mm |
| Maximum Height | 1290mm | 2800mm |
| Maximum Top Load | 40kg | 115kg |
| Colour Options | Black | Multiple colour options |
| Ideal Applications | Surveillance, civil engineering and construction | Measuring equipment, cameras and lighting |
Summary – Why Compact Tripods Are Essential for Surveyors on the Move
Compact, portable, and reliable surveying tripods help professionals work more efficiently, especially when moving between multiple job sites.
Rolatube’s innovative tripod systems offer military-proven durability and space-saving design, making them the perfect choice for construction professionals.
Learn more about Rolatube’s compact surveying tripods or speak with our team to discuss the right tripod system for your project.
FAQs – Answering Common Questions About Compact Tripods for Surveyors
What is a surveying tripod used for?
A surveying tripod provides a platform for measuring instruments. It ensures precise measurement by keeping equipment steady during use.
Why is tripod stability important in surveying?
Accurate data collection depends on the instrument remaining motionless, ensuring reliable readings.
What features should I look for in a surveying tripod?
Key considerations include weight, stability, material durability, height range, portability, and compatibility with your surveying equipment.
What height should a surveying tripod be?
Most extend to a comfortable working height that allows the instrument to be level with the surveyor’s line of sight. Adjustable legs help accommodate uneven terrain.
How much weight can Rolatube’s construction tripods support?
Up to 115kg, depending on the model.
How long does it take to set up a Rolatube tripod?
Deployment takes just a few minutes.
Are surveyor tripods suitable for harsh environments?
Yes. They’re designed for use in extreme conditions, with generous minimum and maximum operational temperature ranges, and no seals to jam or freeze.
How compact are Rolatube tripods when packed down?
Exceptionally compact. The System 30: Industrial Compact Tripod (ICT) packs down to just 190mm x 200mm x 180mm.
Are Rolatube tripods compatible with other equipment?
Yes. Rolatube’s construction tripods can be paired with a wide range of surveying tools, cameras, and lighting rigs. They are also compatible with Rolatube masts when using the Mast Support Adapter. Additional accessories like camera mounts, spigot adapters, and twin antenna T-bars are available.