Example Uses of Theodolite
Theodolite has many possible uses, including:
Navigation and mapping for outdoor sports like hiking, backcountry skiing, hunting, fishing, and boating.
Estimate range and plan shots in golf.
Get a quick compass bearing to objects or landmarks in the viewfinder. Theodolite has an optical compass you aim and look through.
Determine position and altitude/elevation from GPS.
Mark locations on the built-in map via search, current location, browsing the map, or even via triangulation from other points. Great for marking rendezvous points, waypoints, campsites, hotels, parking spots, targets, and other points of interest.
Quickly share photographic, textual, URL, CSV, and KML geo-data with friends, colleagues, team members, or coworkers via e-mail.
Survey land to find boundaries and property lines.
Grade and level ground during construction and landscaping.
Visualize property lines when installing fences or planting trees.
Visualize and mark level, plumb, and waterline references during construction or home projects.
Use the onscreen optical rangefinders to estimate distance to objects and landmarks in the viewfinder.
Take geo-tagged photos and screenshots, optionally watermarked with geo-data and custom notes. Great for recording important events or documenting observations.
Measure elevation, horizon, and azimuth angles of slopes, paths, and landmarks.
Mark reference elevation, horizon, and azimuth angles on the main screen for later use.
Log data -- position, altitude, bearing, elevation, and horizon -- and export to the clipboard or via e-mail or iCloud (which includes CSV and KML files of the points). Great for making surveys, tracking waypoints, or for scientific observations.
Track the trajectory of rockets, airplanes, orbiting satellites, ships, and more.
Locate stars and planets in the sky.
Use the app's A-B survey calculator to compute distance between locations or differences in angles between observations.
Use the A-B calculator to triangulate the location of a far off point observed in the viewfinder (and then mark that point on the map).
Use the A-B calculator to compute the height of landmarks in the view, or the distance to landmarks in the view.
Use as a technology demonstrator, to show off the hardware and software capabilities of iOS devices and their sensors.
Field Applications of Theodolite
Since Theodolite has been released, customers have reported using it for many interesting real-world applications, including:
Photography: Scout landscape and cityscape locations and plan photo shoots.
Avalanche research: Theodolite is used to measure slope angles, estimate distances and heights, analyze slab and fracture characteristics, and provide detailed reporting and photographic documentation.
Search and rescue: Theodolite is used for navigation, planning, training, and documentation.
Wilderness firefighting: Theodolite is used to spot and triangulate position of wildfires.
Accident investigations: Mapping debris fields and documenting evidence.
Military: Theodolite is used for tactical navigation, target location and tracking, forward observation, coordination between ground and aerial forces, and photo documentation. Theodilte is used extensively as a simulation and training aid.
Crime scene investigation: Theodolite is used for estimation of bullet trajectories and blood spatter patterns, documentation, and training.
Ski area construction: Theodolite was used to re-grade a slope and place ski lift poles.
Farming: Theodolite was used to lay out crop plots and install an automated irrigation system.
Aviation: Theodolite is used to survey runways and landing strips, and measure heights and approach angles of nearby landmarks and forests. The app has been used in remote locations around the world when flying in supplies, aid, and medical help.
Real estate: Theodolite is used to provide watermarked photos of properties with embedded geo-data.
Architecture: Theodolite is used for site studies, documentation, and basic survey measurements.
Construction: Theodolite is used for site surveys and quick measurements to estimate and verify plans and surveyor readings.
Solar energy: Theodolite is used to layout and position solar panels on roofs of homes and businesses.
Satellite dish and antenna installation: Theodolite is used for mounting and proper aiming by technicians and homeowners.
Tree service and logging: Theodolite is used to measure the lean of trees, estimate the fall path, plan cuts, and visualize the fall zone and escape routes.
U.S. National Park Service: Theodolite is used by rangers for navigation, mapping, wildlife studies, tree surveys, trail and campsite maintenance, safety studies, and education/outreach.
Forestry: Theodolite is used to observe and mark trees in a forest, for forest management and inventory purposes.
Flood research/planning: Theodolite is used to measure and visualize water levels and flood plain elevations.
Erosion/sediment control: Theodolite is used for hydrologic measurements and site studies.
Stormwater management: Theodolite is used for watershed characterization, site studies, planning, and documentation.
Geothermal: Theodolite is used for site surveys and to lay out wells and piping lines.
Competition sports: Theodolite is used to estimate flight path and trajectory of arrows in competition archery.
Space shuttle tracking: Theodolite was used to track and estimate the launch trajectory of STS-135, the final space shuttle flight.
Geology: Theodolite is used to estimate dip, strike, and other measurements of geological formations and strata.
Mycology: Theodolite is used to observe and mark poisonous mushrooms in field research.
Wildlife research: Theodolite is used to observe, document, and track endangered species.
Marine biology: Reseachers and grad students use Theodolite to track whales, dolphins, and sharks from land, boat, and aircraft.
If you want to report an interesting application of Theodolite, contact us.