• Item# RSFP-X98-2
• Mini Tripod with centering Point and Fixed Point RSFP-X90
• The RSFP-X98-2 floor stands are used on construction projects to establish reference points when neighbouring buildings or other objects are missing. 
• For this purpose, the floor stand is pressed into soil, the foundation course or into the first concrete to flow on the construction site and is used as a temporary solution for reference points. 
• Another practical application is its use as a temporary but easily established reference point for relocating total stations or scanners.
• It is also part of Rothbucher's “One reference point for all instruments” system."
• The floor stand is thus available straightaway for every instrument at any location.
• The illustration shows all the products that can be used with the RSFP-X98-2 fixed point. 
• Magnets in the base plate hold the reflective target or mini prism precisely on the desired spot.
• Can be placed exactly over an existing reference point
• Can be precisely aligned using a spirit level and screws
• Also suitable for staking
• Can optionally be supplied with a 5/8” connector and is therefore also suitable for GNSS and GPS antennas and other accessories with this connector
• Mini Tripod - Big Impact in a Tiny Package

How the Rothbucher RSFP-X98-2 Floor Stand Improves Surveying & 3D Scanning Accuracy

• Surveying and 3D scanning professionals continuously seek tools that enhance accuracy, efficiency, and portability in their workflows. 
• Mini tripods, also known as floor stands or mini tribrachs, offer a compact yet powerful solution for total station and scanning applications. 
• Despite their advantages, these tools remain underutilized in the industry.
• Shea Gleadle’s latest video (below) showcases why mini tripods, particularly the Rothbucher RSFP-X98-2 Floor Stand, are essential for surveyors. 
• He demonstrates how these compact tools outperform traditional full-size tripods and pole-mounted setups, offering significant improvements in horizontal and vertical centering accuracy, workflow efficiency, and portability.

Why Mini Tripods Matter

• Mini tripods may not be high-tech, but they deliver game-changing benefits in the field. 
• These small, transportable survey prisms and scan target holders provide a stable, low-profile solution for total stations and 3D scanners. 
• Shea emphasizes that every surveyor working with traverses, high-precision layouts, or 3D scanning should have one in their vest.
• He first discovered mini tripods about seven years ago and has used them consistently. 
• However, the recent upgrade to Rothbucher´s RSFP-X98-2 Floor Stand led to an immediate shift in his workflow, so significant that he felt compelled to make this video.

Key Advantages of Mini Tripods Over Traditional Equipment

• Reduction in Horizontal Centering Errors
  • One of the primary advantages of mini tripods is their ability to reduce pole plumbness error, which occurs when a surveyor levels a pole or tribrach over a control point. 
  • The height of a target plays a crucial role in accuracy:
  • Standard tripod/pole setups: A target height of 1.5 meters (5 feet) introduces 4mm of potential plumbness error (when using a 40-minute bubble).
  • Tribrach or pole with an 8-minute level bubble: Reduces error to 1mm, but still allows for potential accuracy loss.
  • Mini tripods with a target height of 178mm (7 inches): Reduce plumbness error to under 0.1mm, making errors negligible.
  • Since survey equipment is often subject to bumps and calibration shifts, reducing potential centering errors at the source is critical. 
  • Mini tripods provide near-zero horizontal centering error, ensuring high-precision measurements.
• Elimination of Vertical Centering Errors
  • Fixed-height mini tripods, such as the Rothbucher RSFP-X98-2, eliminate vertical centering error entirely. 
  • Unlike pole-mounted prisms where surveyors must manually measure and record target heights, a fixed-height tripod removes human error from the equation. 
  • This consistency dramatically improves total station accuracy, especially in least squares adjustment calculations.

Challenges of Mini Tripods - Despite their many benefits, mini tripods have limitations that surveyors should be aware of:

• Obstructed Sight Lines
  • Due to their low height, mini tripods may have restricted lines of sight in cluttered environments.
  • Surveyors should strategically place control points to mitigate this issue.
• Durability Concerns
  • Some mini tripods on the market have fragile spirit level bubbles that break easily.
  • The Rothbucher RSFP-X98-2 addresses this issue with a robust, well-protected level bubble.
• Suitability for Soft Surfaces
  • Many mini tripods struggle on grass, dirt, or uneven surfaces.
  • The Rothbucher RSFP-X98-2 comes with rubber feet for better stability in these conditions.
• Stability in Windy Conditions
  • Lightweight mini tripods can tip over in windy environments.
  • Proper positioning (orienting back feet against wind direction) reduces this risk.

Why the Rothbucher RSFP-X98-2 Stands Out

• Compared to other mini tripods, the Rothbucher RSFP-X98-2 Floor Stand is built for real-world surveying and scanning challenges. 
• Key improvements over competing designs include:
  • Compact Folding Design: The legs fold up neatly for easy storage in a survey vest or pocket.
  • Enhanced Durability: Sturdy construction with a reinforced level bubble that withstands rough handling.
  • Rubber Feet: Improved stability on hard and soft surfaces alike.
  • Magnetic Attachment: Seamlessly integrates with Rothbucher’s One Point Fits All System, making target setup effortless.
• Shea highlights how pairing the RSFP-X98-2 with Rothbucher paddle targets completely transforms scanning workflows. 
• This combination eliminates wasted time repositioning targets, allowing for faster, more efficient scans.

Time-Saving Benefits in Scanning Workflows

• In large scan projects, traditional control workflows require surveyors to move target poles between control points manually. 
• This process is time-consuming and inefficient.
• With the RSFP-X98-2 Floor Stand, surveyors can:
  • Pre-place scan targets on control points before scanning.
  • Keep multiple tripods in their survey vest, allowing for quick, on-the-fly target placement.
  • Reduce wasted motion, significantly speeding up data collection.
• Instead of constantly repositioning a tripod or pole-mounted target, surveyors using the RSFP-X98-2 can scan a control point and move seamlessly to the next location. 
• This approach results in higher accuracy and dramatically improved efficiency.

Versatility Across Surveying Applications - While initially designed for total stations and 3D scanning, Shea also highlights the multi-purpose nature of the RSFP-X98-2:

• Use with GNSS Receivers:
  • Ideal for short-term static GNSS observations without needing a full tripod setup.
  • Perfect for backcountry surveying where carrying bulky tripods isn’t feasible.
• Pairing with Rothbucher’s One Point Fits All System:
  • Expands usability to electric outlet targets, suction cup-mounted reference points, and floor targets.
  • Allows for seamless integration into both traditional and modern surveying workflows.
• Enhanced Transportability:
  • Traditional tripod kits weigh 20-30 lbs, taking up significant truck space.
  • Mini tripods eliminate this burden, allowing surveyors to carry multiple units in their vest.

Final Thoughts

• Shea concludes by predicting that mini tripods like the Rothbucher RSFP-X98-2 will become a surveying industry standard in the coming years. 
• Their transportability, affordability, and accuracy advantages make them a no-brainer for total station work, 3D scanning, and GNSS surveying.
• For those working in high-precision applications, investing in a Rothbucher RSFP-X98-2 Floor Stand provides instant improvements in workflow speed and data accuracy.