an EDM device with a built-in computer that can calculate the location of points automatically
an electronic transit for reading swing angles (deviation from north) and elevation angles (deviation from the horizontal) when sighting from a known point to an unknown one
an electronic transit with an electronic distance measuring device (EDM) and usually a data recorder
a survey instrument that can measure horizontal and vertical angles, slope, and horizontal and vertical distances
a theodolite equipped with an electronic distance measuring instrument
A device that accurately measures and records elevations and distances on an archaeological site utilizing lasers or infra-red light reflected off of a mirror.
a surveying device consisting of an electronic theodolite and a coupled electronic distance measuring device (EDM). The total station may also include a data recorder (almost always external to the surveying instrument itself so that it can be disconnected and connected to a computer) for retaining individual measurements -- swing angle (deviation from north), angle of inclination (from the horizontal), and distance to target. The total station itself will generally be able to calculate point positions, as will the data recorder, but the data recorder is required to store the information and to transfer that information to a computer.
A total station is an optical instrument used in modern surveying. It is a combination of an electronic theodolite (transit), an electronic distance measuring device (EDM) and software running on an external computer.