Need the name of a piece of equipment

February 6, 2008 10:00 AM

Tool Filter: Can someone tell me what you call a certain tool used by land professionals?

I don't know what you call it but it seems to be a piece of equipment used to see into the distance and make measurements. It looks like a kind of telescope with very tall tripod-like legs and a viewing mechanism much smaller than a telescope. You sometimes see people using them on the side of roads or on undeveloped land.

And if you've seen the film "There Will Be Blood", Daniel Day Lewis's character uses one in the film when he is scoping out his neighbors properties.

posted by cazoo to technology (7 comments total)

Do you mean a transit?
posted by iconomy at 10:03 AM on February 6, 2008

Theodolite?
posted by arcticseal at 10:06 AM on February 6, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

arcticseal has it.
posted by pmbuko at 10:07 AM on February 6, 2008

Theodolite, Level?
posted by fearfulsymmetry at 10:09 AM on February 6, 2008

Thanks iconomy.
posted by cazoo at 10:52 AM on February 6, 2008

Don't forget the plumbob.
posted by ikkyu2 at 4:00 PM on February 6, 2008

Also, the "land professionals" are usually called surveyors.
posted by electroboy at 11:00 PM on February 6, 2008