Ushikata LS-25 Bearing & Angle Measurement How Does It Work? Malaysia
Ushikata LS-25 Bearing & Angle Measurement 鈥 How Does It Work? Malaysia
The Ushikata LS-25 is different from an ordinary compass because it allows the operator to perform several types of field observations using one compact surveying instrument.
Depending on the surveying procedure, the LS-25 can be used for:
鉁 Magnetic direction and bearing
鉁 Horizontal angle observation
鉁 Vertical angle observation
鉁 12脳 telescope sighting
鉁 Levelling
鉁 Stadia measurement
For forestry, plantation and reconnaissance work, understanding the difference between bearing, horizontal angle and vertical angle is important before using or purchasing the instrument.
What Is Bearing in Surveying?
A bearing describes the direction of one point relative to another using a directional reference.
In practical fieldwork, bearing measurements can help establish:
Direction of travel
Direction between survey points
Orientation of field features
Preliminary traverse information
Route direction
Forestry or plantation field orientation
The Ushikata LS-25 incorporates a 70 mm compass circle graduated at 1掳, allowing magnetic directional observations.
What Is a Horizontal Angle?
A horizontal angle describes the angular difference between two directions in the horizontal plane.
Imagine three points:
Point A 鈫 Instrument Position
Point B 鈫 First Target
Point C 鈫 Second Target
The horizontal angle represents the angular difference between the directions from A to B and A to C.
This is different from simply finding north or determining a magnetic bearing.
Horizontal Angle Measurement with the LS-25
The Ushikata LS-25 provides a 5鈥 horizontal graduation with O-BAC zero-setting system.
In general field-survey practice, horizontal angle observation involves:
1. Setting up and levelling the instrument
2. Selecting a reference target
3. Sighting the reference through the telescope
4. Establishing the required reference reading
5. Turning toward the second target
6. Sighting the second target carefully
7. Reading and recording the resulting angle
For actual LS-25 operation, users should follow the manufacturer's operating procedure.
What Does 5鈥 Mean?
The symbol 鈥 represents minutes of arc.
One degree contains:
1掳 = 60鈥
Therefore:
5鈥 = 5 arc minutes
This is an angular graduation, not five minutes of time.
This distinction is important when comparing professional surveying instruments.
What Is a Vertical Angle?
A vertical angle describes the angle of a line of sight relative to the relevant vertical-angle reference.
This becomes useful when the target is located:
Above the observer
Below the observer
Up a hillside
Down a slope
Across uneven terrain
The LS-25 incorporates a full-circle vertical scale with 1掳 graduation.
Why Vertical Angles Matter in Forestry
Forest terrain can change elevation rapidly.
A field team may need to observe:
Hillsides
Valleys
Elevated targets
Downhill targets
Road routes
Terrain changes
Slope conditions
An ordinary compass mainly answers:
鈥淲hich direction is the target?鈥
A surveying instrument with vertical-angle capability can additionally help answer:
鈥淎t what vertical angle am I observing that target?鈥
That is an important difference.
Bearing vs Horizontal Angle vs Vertical Angle
MeasurementWhat It DescribesLS-25Bearing / DirectionDirection relative to magnetic reference鉁Horizontal AngleAngle between directions in horizontal plane鉁Vertical AngleVertical relationship of line of sight鉁Electronic DistancePrecise EDM distanceNoCoordinatesX/Y/Z positionNo
This explains why the LS-25 is more than a conventional magnetic compass but is not a replacement for a Total Station.
Why Does the LS-25 Have a Telescope?
The 12脳 erect-image telescope allows the operator to sight a defined field target.
Possible targets include:
Survey markers
Ranging poles
Trees selected as field points
Reference markers
Terrain features
Temporary survey targets
In professional field surveying, accurately identifying the intended target is important.
If the operator observes the wrong target, even a perfectly read angle becomes useless.
Why Must the LS-25 Be Level?
Correct levelling helps establish the proper geometric relationship for angle observations.
The LS-25 incorporates a bubble system specified at 5鈥 / 2 mm.
A common mistake is to assume:
鈥淚 can see the target clearly, so the instrument is ready.鈥
Clear telescope focus does not automatically mean the instrument has been properly levelled.
Check the instrument setup before taking important observations.
Magnetic Bearing Can Be Affected by the Environment
This is especially important with a surveying compass.
The telescope can be aimed correctly while the magnetic direction reading is still affected by nearby magnetic interference.
Be cautious around:
Vehicles
Steel fencing
Heavy machinery
Large steel structures
Electrical installations
Magnets
Significant ferrous objects
If the compass reading appears inconsistent, investigate the environment and repeat the observation from a suitable position.
Can LS-25 Measure Distance?
The LS-25 provides stadia measurement capability.
Stadia uses optical surveying principles to obtain distance information using the appropriate observation method and graduated target.
However:
Stadia measurement 鈮 Electronic Distance Measurement (EDM).
If a customer requires accurate electronic distance measurements for engineering surveying, a Total Station is normally the more appropriate instrument.
Can LS-25 Measure Coordinates?
No 鈥 not by itself.
The LS-25 is not a GNSS/RTK receiver and does not function as an electronic coordinate-measurement Total Station.
For work requiring:
Easting / Northing
X, Y, Z coordinates
Digital topographic survey
Construction setting-out
Georeferenced survey points
consider suitable Total Station or GNSS/RTK equipment.
Practical Example: Forestry Reconnaissance
Imagine a forestry team needs to investigate a possible field route.
At one observation point, the operator may need to:
Identify a distant reference point
鈫
Sight the target through the telescope
鈫
Observe direction / bearing
鈫
Observe relevant horizontal or vertical angle
鈫
Record the field information
鈫
Move to the next observation position
鈫
Repeat
This type of workflow demonstrates why a compact surveying compass can remain useful even when modern electronic surveying equipment is available.
Practical Example: Plantation Terrain
Suppose a plantation team is investigating a new access route.
The terrain includes several slopes.
The field team may initially need:
Direction
Target sighting
Terrain observation
Vertical-angle information
For this preliminary reconnaissance stage, an LS-25 may be useful.
Later, if engineers require precise road levels, coordinates or construction setting-out, the project may progress to:
Auto Level
Total Station
or
GNSS / RTK
depending on the measurement requirement.
Common Bearing & Angle Measurement Mistakes
1. Measuring Near Steel Objects
This can affect magnetic observations.
2. Poor Levelling
The instrument should be correctly set up before relevant angle measurements.
3. Sighting the Wrong Target
Especially possible in dense vegetation.
4. Recording the Wrong Point Number
Good field notes are essential.
5. Confusing Bearing with Horizontal Angle
They describe different measurements.
6. Expecting Total Station Accuracy or Functions
The LS-25 and Total Station are different classes of surveying equipment.
When Is the Ushikata LS-25 a Good Choice?
Consider the LS-25 when you require a combination of:
Magnetic direction
Bearing
Horizontal angle
Vertical angle
Telescope sighting
Portable field operation
Typical applications include:
Forestry Survey
Plantation Survey
Environmental Fieldwork
Terrain Reconnaissance
Agricultural Survey
Geological Fieldwork
Research
Preliminary Field Survey
Need Bearing Only, or More?
This is the easiest buying question.
Bearing only?
A simpler professional compass may be sufficient.
Bearing + Telescope + Horizontal / Vertical Angle?
Consider the Ushikata LS-25.
Precise elevation?
Consider an Auto Level.
Precise electronic distance + coordinates?
Consider a Total Station.
Large-area coordinate positioning?
Consider GNSS / RTK.
Start with the measurement requirement, then choose the instrument.
Ushikata LS-25 Supplier Malaysia
MTM Precision supplies professional surveying instruments and accessories for customers in Malaysia.
Our surveying range includes:
Ushikata Surveying Compass
Myzox Auto Levels
Topcon Auto Levels
Topcon Total Stations
Digital Theodolites
Rotating Lasers
5 m Levelling Staffs
Surveying Prisms
Monitoring Prisms
Tripods & Survey Accessories
Customers who are unsure which instrument is suitable can send us the application, required measurement and accuracy requirement before requesting a quotation.
Contact MTM Precision
MTM Precision Sdn. Bhd. (744811-A)
Telephone: +603-8080 7172
WhatsApp: +6016-660 7346
Email: mtmpre@yahoo.com / enquiry@mtmpre.com.my
Website: www.mtmpre.com.my
Showroom & Service Centre
No. 29-1 & 29-2, Jalan Bandar 18,
Pusat Bandar Puchong,
47160 Puchong, Selangor, Malaysia.
Contact MTM Precision for Ushikata LS-25 price, quotation, availability and technical enquiries for bearing and angle measurement in Malaysia.
16 Sep 2026
