Using Bucket lids as ground control targets may seem like an economical choice, but their shortcomings become apparent as soon as they leave the hardware store. Here’s what survey professionals face when using these makeshift solutions:
1. Labor-Intensive Preparation
DIY GCPs require a significant upfront investment in time and effort:
- Driving to a big-box store like Home Depot to purchase bucket lids.
- Drilling holes to accommodate nails for ground fastening.
- Painting the lids for visibility—often requiring stencils for accuracy.
All these steps cut into your time, and for professionals in the US, where the average surveying and mapping technician earns $27/hour, this prep work can easily exceed $100 in labor costs for a single project. Multiply that by multiple projects, and the “savings” quickly vanish.
2. Transport and Setup Issues
Bucket lids are cumbersome and disorganized:
- Transporting them to a job site often means a messy pile in the back of a truck.
- Moving them on foot is inefficient, especially for larger sites.
- They lack an organized system, leading to wasted time during setup.
3. Field Performance Problems
DIY solutions aren’t built for the rigors of surveying:
- Bucket lids crack easily when drilled or subjected to cold temperatures, risking premature target loss before data is acquired.
- Different stencils are needed for marking targets on concrete or asphalt, adding complexity and time investment.
- Bucket lids hold water and therefore leads to glare and washout in aerial imagery or other forms of collected data.
- Passersby frequently mistake bucket lids for trash, removing or tampering with them, which disrupts surveys and adds significant cost.
The Solution: DronePoints
DronePoints eliminates these inefficiencies, offering a professional-grade solution that saves time, cuts costs, and ensures accuracy.
Why Professionals Choose DronePoints
- Ready-to-Use Convenience: Delivered to your door, DronePoints arrive fully prepped and ready to go. No drilling, painting, or Home Depot runs—just reliable targets you can deploy immediately.
- Durable, Multipurpose Design: Built to perform in tough conditions, DronePoints withstand temperature extremes without cracking. Their included stencil is perfect for paint marking on concrete or asphalt, adding flexibility to your fieldwork.
- Organized Transport: Each set comes in a rugged carrying case with slots for nails, keeping everything tidy and easy to carry—even on foot. Setup has never been this simple.
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Cost-Effective Efficiency: While the upfront cost of DronePoints may seem higher than bucket lids, consider the savings:
- No prep labor costs.
- Faster setup and teardown.
- Fewer field failures or delays. Over time, DronePoints pay for themselves in efficiency and reliability.
- Accuracy You Can Count On: Designed by industry professionals with experience in delivering high-accuracy mapping, DronePoints help you to deliver pinpoint precision, ensuring your surveys meet the highest standards.
Staying Competitive in a Growing Industry
The use of drones in topographic land surveying is growing rapidly, and the industry is more competitive than ever. Clients expect faster results without compromising accuracy, leaving no room for inefficient tools or workflows.
A real-world example? Consider a survey manager juggling a tight schedule and a large project site. With bucket lids and other DIY methods, you’re spending hours on prep and dealing with cracked targets or missing targets mid-survey. With DronePoints, you arrive on-site organized, efficient, and ready to deliver data your clients can trust.
The True Cost of Labor
A trip to the local big box store like Home Depot for bucket lids and the subsequent prep work can easily exceed $100 in added labor costs when you factor in the hourly wage of a surveying and mapping technician. DronePoints eliminate these hidden costs, providing a ready-to-go solution that saves money over the course of multiple projects. Why waste valuable resources when there’s a better option?
Elevate Your Workflow with DronePoints
DIY solutions like bucket lids might save you a few dollars upfront, but the hidden costs in time, labor, and inefficiency make them a poor choice for professionals who value precision and reliability. DronePoints offers a smarter alternative—designed by field experts to simplify your workflow, reduce prep time, and deliver results you can count on.
Don’t let DIY solutions hold you back. Discover how DronePoints can transform your workflow and elevate your results. Learn more or place your order today. Because when it comes to aerial mapping, cutting corners is never worth the cost.