Data Entry Basics

2.05  Distance Entries

"Sight" Survey has several methods that can be used for entering distances.  Among these are:

• Horizontal Distance Entry

• Slope Distance Entry

• Recalling a Distance

• Recalling the Last Used Distance

• Using the Function Keys

• Distance Entry using a Constant Factor

Horizontal Distance Entry

In all "Sight" Survey routines, horizontal distances are entered just as if you were keying data into a calculator.  Trailing zeros need not be entered.  If you are in Traverse with Station mode (TS -  Section 7.11) you may also enter a station (e.g. 1+35.25) into the distance field and “Sight” Survey will use station data to compute the distance.  Stations are indicated by the inclusion of the plus sign (+) in the entry field.

Slope Distance Entry

When entering a slope distance, type the distance and click the [ \ ] button immediately to the right of the distance entry field.  You will then be prompted for the slope angle and any other information needed to reduce the distance to horizontal.  If you slope the Slope Angle Prompting (SA) "On," you do not need to click the [ \ ] button as "Sight" Survey will prompt for slope information after each distance entry.

Recalling a Distance

"Sight" Survey allows you to recall a distance between any two points residing in the memory for use in the forthcoming calculation.  To recall any distance simply enter the two defining point numbers separated by either a comma or a dash, such as 14,25 or 14-25.

CAUTION:  DO NOT separate two alphanumeric point numbers with a dash.  You must use a comma in this case since a dash is a valid character in an alphanumeric point name and commas are not allowed in alphanumeric point names.

"Sight" Survey also allows the older style entries from previous versions, such as an asterisk * or the letter R followed by a beginning and ending point separated by a comma or hyphen.  For example, these entries are still valid:

*15-21, *15,21, R15-21, or R15,21

In any case, if you omit one or both of the point numbers the program will prompt you to return and enter all of the necessary data.

CAUTION:  If you are recalling a bearing and your first point is alphanumeric, DO NOT use the option of prefacing the entry with the letter R.

Mathematical Functions:  "Sight" Survey also allows you to enter a recalled distance with an addition, subtraction, multiplication or division operator (+, -, *, /).  To make an in-line calculation, simply type the expression and press [Enter].    For example, to enter the distance from point 1 to point 5 less 150.25 feet, enter *1,5-150.25 [Enter].  When you press [Enter] the value is computed and used, but not entered into the text entry box.  It will however, be reported in the Text Output window if your Print Input Data setting is on (PI - Section 5.01).

Recalling the Last Used Distance

A second method of distance recall involves recalling the value last used.  In "Sight" Survey this is an automatic function.  For example, suppose you traverse from point 20 to point 21 at a bearing of 10NW and a distance of 75.5.  After traversing to point 21, you want to continue on and set three more points along the same bearing and at the same distance.  As you proceed to the next point, both the bearing and distance are retained from the last calculation.  All you have to do is accept them by pressing [Enter] or [Tab], not re-enter them.

Using the Function Keys

Whenever you are prompted for a distance entry within COGO, the function keys [F1] through [F8] will be predefined to the following values (where L is the last used distance):

Distance Entry using a Constant Factor

"Sight" Survey allows you to apply a constant factor, or scale factor, to your entered distances.  In addition to allowing you to define a custom constant factor, "Sight" Survey offers these factors:

K = Kilometer

M = Meter

F = Feet

I = inches

C = Chains (a chain is 66 feet)

L = Link (a link is 0.66 feet – there are 100 links in a chain)

P = Pole or Perch (a Pole is 16.5 feet)

R = Rod (same as a Pole = 16.5 feet)

U = User defined constant

V = Vara (user defined)

User defined constants and Vara values are set on the Local Configuration menu (LC - Section 5.05).

To apply a constant factor, simply follow the numeric value with the desired letter (either upper or lower case) and the constant will be applied to the value. 

For example, and entry of 80c is interpreted as 80 chains or 5,280 feet.  An entry of 4R is interpreted as 4 rods or 66 feet.  Likewise, if you are working in feet and you enter 100m, that entry is interpreted as 100 meters or 328.08 feet.

If you have a grid factor assigned as the constant factor, you might enter a value such as 1235.22u to apply that factor to your distance.

Varas:  The vara is a traditional unit of distance in Spanish and Portuguese speaking countries.  The length of the vara varied (no pun intended), but in Spanish Latin America it was generally about 33 inches or a little longer.  In Texas, where it was often used in land measurement, the vara was defined to equal exactly 33 1/3 inches, which is equivalent to 84.667 centimeters. In California, the vara was considered equal to 33 inches (83.82 centimeters) and in Mexico the former standard was 32.993 inches (83.802 centimeters). In southern South America the vara was usually about 34 inches (86.4 centimeters). The Spanish vara is shorter; it equals 32.908 inches or 83.587 centimeters. The Portuguese vara, on the other hand, is much longer; it equals 5 palmos or about 110 centimeters (43.3 inches). The word vara means a stick or pole. ¹

US Survey Feet vs. International Feet:  In your Local Configuration (LC - Section 5.05) you can specify your working units as Meters, US Survey Feet, or International Feet.  When making conversions, "Sight" Survey will apply the correct conversion factors for your chosen units.

For example, if you are working in Int'l Feet (as set on the Local Configuration settings), and you enters a distance of 80C, (80 chains = 80*66 US Survey Ft = 5280 US Survey Ft) the program should convert that data to Int’l Feet and use it.  80*66*((1200/3937)/.3048) = 5280.01056. 

If used, constants such as F (foot) and I (inch) make the assumption that you are working in the unit as configured by Local Configuration and entering data in the other unit.  For example, if you are working in US Survey Feet and enter 100F, the program will assume you are entering a value of 100 Int'l Feet, and vice-versa.