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How to Use the CST Berger Stadia Lines Instruction Manual

Land surveyors must be aware of measured distances and elevations of a job site for accurate landform evaluation. They use a number of devices, including the basic hand level with internal stadia lines, offered by the manufacturer CST Berger. Stadia lines are crosshairs within an optical device that help measure distance and elevation. A surveyor must be able to read the stadia lines' scale to accurately determine a measured value.

Things You'll Need

Level rod or measuring tape

Instructions

Elevation Measurement
- 1
  Place a level rod or measuring tape against a wall. Walk away from the rod or tape to an unknown distance.
- 2
  Look through the hand level's eyepiece. Adjust the focus knob until you can easily view the rod or tape through the optical device. In addition, ensure that the hand level's internal stadia lines are focused.
- 3
  Observe the hand level's internal bubble while looking at the rod or tape. Tilt the hand level until the bubble is centered in the middle of its assembly. This indicates true level between the user's eye and the rod or tape.
- 4
  Read the rod or tape's measurement value where the hand level's internal center stadia line crosses the tape or rod horizontally. This value is the immediate area's elevation.
Distance Measurement
- 5
  Repeat steps 1 through 3. Record the rod or tape values measured through the hand level, with the upper and lower stadia lines, that flank the main center line.
- 6
  Subtract the measured rod or tape values from one another. Multiply this value by the hand level's magnification value, such as 32. Verify the individual hand level's magnification value before multiplying.
- 7
  Record the final value. This final value is the measured distance between the hand level user and the rod or tape.

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