Patent ID: 8769838

Claim:
A configurable apparatus for providing a plurality of surveying functions, said configurable apparatus comprising: a rod portion that is at least partially hollow defining a first end and a an opposing second end wherein said first end defines a pointed magnetic interface and said opposing second end defines a rod-to-accessory interface configure for receiving any one of a plurality of rod accessories including (a) a magnetic sensor controller, (b) a GPS device, and (c) a prism device; a magnetic sensor disposed within said rod portion wherein said magnetic sensor is suitably configure for detecting a metallic object; a magnetic sensor controller defining an electronics housing disposed between a controller first end and a controller second end wherein said controller first end defines a controller-interface and said controller second end defines a controller-to-accessory interface and wherein said controller-interface is configured for being mechanically associated with said rod-to-accessory interface and wherein said magnetic sensor controller is configured for controlling said magnetic sensor; and at least one a rod accessory selected from one of (a) a GPS device defining a first GPS end and an opposing second GPS end wherein said first GPS end defines a GPS-interface and said second GPS end defines a GPS-to-accessory interface wherein said GPS device is configured to generate location data; and (b) prism device defining a prism-interface configured for being mechanically associated with one of (i) said rod-to-accessory interface, (ii) said controller-to-accessory interface, and (iii) said GPS-to-accessory interface.