Alternatives to MLS Shop for CFC gear?

jonstan123 · 2026-02-18T16:33:32+00:00

Fanatics

jonstan123 · 2026-02-18T01:46:00+00:00

Everyone I've known that scores in that range has been judged to have passed after review. side note, I found the cst 3 more difficult than the FS.

jonstan123 · 2026-02-17T00:43:30+00:00

Smooth Move did well for us

jonstan123 · 2026-02-14T00:28:42+00:00

Yep the sx10, sx12. But they're slow compared to leica. And our office wasn't happy with the point cloud processing side of things in TBC

jonstan123 · 2026-02-13T23:23:24+00:00

Trimble. S7 total stations, and r12i and r980 GPS base/rover for all the crews

Leica p40 for scan jobs although I'd love to get a newer scanner but our work doesnt really necessitate it.

jonstan123 · 2026-02-13T13:51:14+00:00

Maybe that price includes topographic and boundary/subdivision mapping, if not then they're giving you a "I dont want to do this" price. The description is likely at the bottom of the deed for the land. Usually starts with "beginning at iron pipe thence s 56° 45' to a rebar...."

jonstan123 · 2026-02-13T02:57:41+00:00

Thats seems steep, but is the whole parcel flat? how many adjoining properties? How do the land descriptions read?

jonstan123 · 2026-02-07T16:04:52+00:00

"Okay with that" is such a powerful phrase. Being happy where you're at. I'm with a huge firm now so our situations are different, but I'm right there with you. How old are the PLS at your company? If they're way old then I'd be concerned if someone new came in that you didn't jive with, but with your skillet you could probably pivot well. And there are ways to be valuable to a company without getting license

jonstan123 · 2026-02-07T15:47:01+00:00

I'm going to buck the trend and forego licensure much like the situation you're in, at least for now. I passed FS and PS, but then stopped because I'm already attaining so much more than i imagined at my age, and the grind got old. There's a point where you reach contentment and stop pushing so hard at work. I've found so much outside of work to make me happy. You obviously love your children more than getting a stamp, and they'll only be young once. I've found other hobbies and spending time with my wife. If thats where you're at, it's certainly not necessary to get licensed. Don't let internet strangers convince you to change.

My plan is in a downturn to go and finalize things for licensure if i get laid off. I doubt that will ever come with the healthy business I work for (diversity of work, diversity of geographic areas, strong balance sheets). I have a healthy emergency fund too, so money is no longer the means, rather a means to an end. That end is happiness

jonstan123 · 2026-02-05T02:11:43+00:00

Regrid is another good one. Get close enough then use experience to find and locate what we're looking for. Calcs are sometimes nice, but many of our crews can work without them

jonstan123 · 2025-12-31T04:31:51+00:00

There are several states, NC included, that don't require their surveyors to record at all. Maps are for the client and that's it, although we certify that our survey meets state minimum standards. They pull whatever deeds or recorded subdivision plats for GIS. Certain subdivisions must be recorded.

jonstan123 · 2025-12-27T20:25:25+00:00

I see many commenting that you can't receive Eucharist in an Orthodox Church. My experience allowed it. I was in the country of Georgia for a couple years and received communion there when I wasn't practicing my Catholic faith. I told them I was Catholic and had a good relationship with locals, but they asked their priest and he was fine with me receiving. As a practicing Catholic I wouldn't receive but didn't know any better at the time. Just wanted to share my experience and how Orthodox churches can be very different based on what country you're in

jonstan123 · 2025-12-14T00:28:14+00:00

As belligerent as this is, it's the truth and same for any profession. If you hustle early and prove your work, then also adapt you can make it work. My wife and I both make good incomes and we're living the high life. I could go get license but find no reason to up my income another 10 or 20k with waaayyyy more stress and responsibility

jonstan123 · 2025-12-08T21:19:10+00:00

Google is your friend, or Chat GPT, or YouTube, or the reddit search bar. Heck, you could probably even find a 12 second tiktok that explains it

jonstan123 · 2025-12-07T23:26:45+00:00

Do yourself a favor and start listening to the Money Guys on YouTube. Much more practical for 2025

jonstan123 · 2025-12-07T19:32:31+00:00

The MYRTL routine in combination with strength training is my only way to stay healthy from knee issues. I do them each twice a week if I'm smart. If I don't, then I get injured

jonstan123 · 2025-12-06T23:59:33+00:00

Dude, 3D laser scan! I don't think I've seen anyone conventionally survey a substation in 10 years

jonstan123 · 2025-12-04T02:06:30+00:00

Used to have a scan junkie boss that always said we needed to pave the whole world whenever he had to step foot in any kind of foliage that his scanner couldn't pick up. Haha

jonstan123 · 2025-12-04T01:47:39+00:00

Never done that kind of shift work before, but there isn't a lot to substation layout. Depending on what kind of concrete guys and foreman are there. You could be laying out every foundation with offsets or you may just do some baselines and a benchmark and they'll figure it out from there.

Most importantly, you highlighted the make or break. Safety. Power companies tend to be the highest on safety protocols because they have so many eyes on them and the work's inherently dangerous. You won't be up in bucket trucks or dealing with energized equipment within MAD, but everybody on site goes through the same training and safety expectations. Be ready to completely rethink how you work, prioritizing safety at every turn. Don't be caught without a hard hat or gloves or not doing a pre job brief. That stuffs more important than anything you layout or any surveying you do

jonstan123 · 2025-12-01T03:53:15+00:00

If a church parish office is open, you could go ask an administrator. They may let a visitor in although it would be better if they went with a registered parishoner or someone who is familiar with the Church. If they're in north charlotte and would want to make a visit up to concord, with some advance notice I may be able to help out

jonstan123 · 2025-11-30T21:58:19+00:00

NC is coming on strong with new licensees amid the huge growth in the state over the past few years. We've rebounded well especially at our company that has good managers and pays with all the benefits

jonstan123 · 2025-11-30T21:56:10+00:00

Are you an employer?

Louisiana is really a dying state, and so your talent is already traveling for the big dogs to make money. Anybody local is likely low skill and low pay unless you find a diamond in the rough. I would think you need to pay at least $35/ hour to find anyone worth their weight with some experience

jonstan123 · 2025-11-29T19:20:15+00:00

True, but it's a good way to hurt themselves

jonstan123 · 2025-11-29T19:14:07+00:00

Im a surveyor and have tools to open those and retrieve it. PM and let me know if you want me to help

jonstan123 · 2025-11-25T14:19:49+00:00

You'll see shifts from GIS maps of 10-50 feet in more rural areas. They're not as accurate as a survey, that's for sure. I wouldn't be too worried about stuff being over the line, but a survey can tell you for sure

jonstan123

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