True Plumb.
Every Time.

The PlumbRod™ works with any standard survey rod using a 5/8"-11 UNC threaded tip — which is the global standard in professional land surveying.

The suspended plumb bob establishes a true gravity-referenced vertical — the most accurate vertical reference possible. Accuracy is limited only by the quality of your plumb bob and air stillness in the room, not by the PlumbRod™ jig itself.

Both. The PlumbRod™ gives you a true plumb reference to compare your rod against. Use it first to set your vial to true plumb, then return to it regularly to verify your calibration hasn't drifted. One simple setup — used for both initial calibration and ongoing verification.

Most users are up and running in 5–10 minutes. For a 2m pole, mount the upper bracket about 2.1m (82") above the floor and hang the plumb bob through the Plumb Post. Mount the lower bracket so its slot sits roughly centered just beneath the bob tip. Then drop in the Calibration Disc and adjust it within the slot until it seats precisely around the bob tip. Your system is now plumb and ready to calibrate your rods. (Full step-by-step instructions and a setup video are included.)

No. The PlumbRod™ mounts with just four #10 screws, so while most users leave it in place for convenient day-to-day use, it can be quickly removed and relocated in just a few minutes.

For control points and extended static observations, use your calibrated rod vial — not the IMU. IMU tilt compensation is engineered for moving, kinematic surveys. When your pole is stationary on a bipod, there is no natural movement to update the IMU's own calibration, leading to drift over time. Trimble's own software confirms this: it automatically disables IMU tilt compensation and activates the bubble level whenever you switch to "observed control point" mode. A calibrated bubble vial on a stable bipod gives you a steady, drift-free reference that doesn't depend on movement or proprietary algorithms — which is exactly why regular vial calibration matters most when precision counts.

Yes — significantly. Only use a precision brass plumb bob with a removable threaded cap, where the string feeds through the center of the bob from the top. Inexpensive hook-style plumb bobs attach the string off to the side, causing the bob to hang at a slight angle and introducing 1–3mm of tip error that can exceed the PlumbRod™'s own mechanical tolerance. A center-feed brass bob costs very little more and is the correct tool for accurate calibration work. The optional plumb bob offered with the PlumbRod™ kit is the center-feed style.

The PlumbRod™ is sold exclusively at 3DMappingTools.com — a trusted source for professional surveying and mapping equipment. Click the Order Now button to go directly to the product page.