E -  How Does Oklahoma Land Surveying Equipment Work
                     How Does Oklahoma Land Surveying 
Equipment Work?
Understanding the exact measurements and characteristics of a piece of land is essential for 
everything from real estate deals to major construction projects. In Oklahoma land 
surveying, achieving this level of accuracy depends on cutting-edge equipment. Today’s 
surveyors have moved beyond traditional instruments such as chains and transits, now 
utilizing state-of-the-art technology that allows them to gather land data quickly, accurately, 
and in great detail.
The Evolution of Land Surveying Tools
For a long time, land surveying depended on tools like chains, compasses, and  transits
—methods that demanded a lot of manual work and often lost accuracy over distance. 
These approaches helped shape the field, but they were slow and limited. With time, 
new technology completely changed the field. Tools powered by satellites, digital 
systems, and remote sensing reshaped what’s possible.
For example, today, GPS survey methods let professionals gather more data, with better 
accuracy and speed, and do it all with greater safety. This shift has changed the way we 
look at and map land.
Precision at Your Fingertips
Today’s surveyors use a powerful mix of tools and tech, working together to reach 
exceptional accuracy. Every instrument has a specific function in the detailed data-gathering 
process that forms the foundation of an aerial topographic survey or a precise ground-
based survey.
Global Positioning Systems (GPS)
These tools capture signals from satellites orbiting the planet, allowing surveyors to pinpoint
locations with accuracy down to a few millimeters. During a GPS survey, high-end GPS 
systems use techniques like Real-Time Kinematic (RTK) or Virtual Reference Station (VRS) to 
deliver pinpoint accuracy on the spot. With these tools, surveyors can skip the hassle of 
setting up full base stations in the field.
Robotic Total Stations
These advanced tools merge electronic distance and angle measuring functions into one
device. What sets them apart as “robotic” is their remote-control capability, typically operated 
by a handheld device. This enables a single surveyor to manage the entire process, gather
mapping data more quickly, and perform precise stakeouts for construction, all of which help 
streamline work in the field.
3D Laser Scanners
For capturing incredibly dense and detailed point clouds of existing conditions, 3D laser
scanners are invaluable. These devices fire off millions of laser pulses each second, calculating 
distances to surfaces and objects to build an extremely detailed 3D view of the area. They’re a 
solid choice for mapping out projects like industrial plants, old buildings, or complicated 
structures—places where it really helps to pair detailed 3D models with solid GPS survey 
data.
Advanced Aerial Technologies in Oklahoma 
Land Surveying
Collecting data from above has completely changed how large or complicated projects are 
handled.
Drones (UAVs) and Photogrammetry
Drones equipped with high-resolution cameras allow surveyors to capture overlapping
images of a site from above. Photogrammetry is then used to process these photos, stitching 
them together to create highly accurate, geometrically-corrected pictures and 3D models of 
the terrain and existing features, providing a valuable visual and measurable dataset.
Airborne LiDAR Systems
LiDAR, usually mounted on drones or planes, shoots out fast bursts of laser light that hit the
ground and bounce back. It’s great for picking up detailed elevation data and can even see 
through heavy tree cover to map what’s beneath. The data from airborne LiDAR is crucial for 
creating accurate digital terrain models for large-area mapping and highly detailed 
representations required for an aerial topographic survey.
The Expert Behind the Instruments
While advanced tools are essential to modern land surveying, they’re only as effective as the 
person using them. The real value comes from the licensed surveyor who knows how to 
interpret the data accurately. These professionals know how to work with laws, old records, 
and the land itself to get boundaries right and settle any issues. They don’t just collect data
—they make sense of it, turning the measurements into detailed survey maps, keeping your 
project legally compliant, informed, and moving forward.
Leveraging Technology for Oklahoma Surveys
At Sisemore & Associates, we deliver results you can count on—clear, accurate, and built for 
real-world use, using modern Oklahoma land surveying tools. Our team works with various 
equipment and technology, from high-grade GPS technology and robotic total stations to 3D 
scanners, drones, and LiDAR to provide the most accurate data.
If your next project needs a land survey, please contact us.