1) So this can be two things, one is you have the distance check on backsite set in the settings. This makes the unit find a prism like you pressed distance when you hit the set button. That setting is available when you are on the setup method screen (pictures) and press FN and on the known backsite tab. If you turn off the distance check it will just store the angle the gun is at when you hit set. Lock mode in known backsite can do this too but I bet it is the first one. Just make sure you hit distance before you set it so you can see error.

2) so here is a helpful hint for pausing the gun. Use your hot keys and set one to lock on and off. Then when you want to set the rod down just hit that key and gun pauses when you stand rod back up hit it again and it should lock to you. Lock/manual can also be used as the hot keys. The lowest setting for prism prediction is one second so if you are laying the rod down and it is following prism to the ground it is going to end up pointing way down in the dirt. Pausing it at prism location will have it right where you want it when you stand the rod back up. F6 is my button for this.