To make offset points using a Total Station requires entry of Alt O or selecting the O/Offset button within the Sideshot/Traverse Foresight Screen.  This works from both the Graphic and Text screens when foresighting.  There is no distinct Total Station “Offset” command—it is an offshoot (literally) of standard Sideshot/Traverse. The Total station Offset command must be selected each time it is used.  It has three options:

• Distance/Angle (sometimes referred to as “Shoot a Big Tree”): The Distance/Angle method requires two measurements.  The first measurement is the distance followed by the prompt to read the angle. Note how the dialog, shown in the next figure,  prompts you to “Read Distance” first. 

In the case of shooting a large tree, where the goal is to shoot the center of the tree, you would take a shot to the middle-side of the tree, equivalent to the distance to the center of the tree.  Then you would take a second shot, as prompted, to the middle of the tree, for horizontal angle only.  Note that for the elevation of the shot, you can use the distance measurement or the angle measurement (second reading), and apply the vertical offset, if any, accordingly.  After both measurements are taken, the results are displayed as shown in the next figure. You are then returned to the dialog to take your next offset.  Tap Close to exit to the main Foresight screen.

• Point (Plus/Minus): The Point Offset takes a shot and deducts or adds a distance relative to the line-of-sight in all three directions (L/R, In/Out, Vertically Up/Down) using the dialog shown in the next figure.

• Before the shot, tap Read.  After the shot, when the raw data is displayed in the lower left, tap Store.  You will remain in the command until you tap Close.

• 2-Point Offset: This creates a 2-point 3D “vector”, where the offset direction, distance and vertical offset is computed from the delta N, delta E and Delta Z of the 2 points that are measured or entered.  If “Read Inst” is clicked on, then the 2 points are measured in the field. If instead you wish to obtain the offset vector from 2 points, then click off Read Inst. and enter the 2 point numbers. The offset entered will extend the vector from point “P2” in the direction of “P1” to “P2”.  The vector offset will also impact the elevation that is calculated.  This might be used to calculate a point at the top of a cliff, for example, where you stand above the cliff top and pick up 2 points on the slope to the cliff edge, and estimate the distance to the cliff face from the second point.  The offset by 2 points routine will write an SS record in the RW5 file (raw file), which enables re-processing.
• Settings: The Settings tab permits reading the target height from a laser and accesses the entire range of laser devices found in the Peripherals menu option under Equip.