Making offset points using a total station requires entry of ALT-O or selection of the O/Offset button within the Store Points Foresight Screen. If you are set to the graphical icons in Configure, you would select the "offset to tree" icon. This works from both the Graphic and Text screens when foresighting. There is no distinct total station "Offset” command—it is an offshoot (literally) of standard Store Points. The total station Offset command must be selected each time it is used. It has three options:
- Distance/Angle (sometimes referred to as “Shoot a Big Tree”): The Distance/Angle method requires two measurements. The first measurement is the distance, followed by the prompt to read the angle. Note that the dialog, shown in the next figure, prompts you to Read Distance first.

In the case of shooting a large tree, where the goal is to shoot the center of the tree, you would take a shot to the middle-side of the tree, equivalent to the distance to the center of the tree. Then you would take a second shot, as prompted, to the middle of the tree, for horizontal angle only. Note that for the elevation of the shot, you can use the distance measurement or the angle measurement (second reading), and apply the vertical offset, if any, accordingly. After both measurements are taken, the results are displayed. You are then returned to the dialog to take your next offset.
- Point (Plus/Minus): The Point Offset takes a shot and deducts or adds a distance relative to the line-of-sight in all three directions (L/R, In/Out, Vertically Up/Down) using the dialog shown in the next figure.

- Before the shot, tap Read. After the shot, when the raw data is displayed in the lower left, tap Store. You will remain in the command until you tap Close.
Repeat Shots Using Offsets
When taking multiple measurements in traffic or other conditions where you must move away quickly, one technique is to use the Offset button in Store Points, and then the Point method. You do a Read and enter 0 for all offsets, then Store. Then change the description and tap Store again (no additional Read is necessary), and a second point with a different description (or rod height, or offset) is stored. Some office software programs require distinct readings on the same point to process multiple descriptions, in which case the use of Offsets to store multiple readings with one field measurement is recommended.

- 2-Point Offset: This creates a 2-point 3D “vector”, where the offset direction, distance, and vertical offset are computed from the delta N, delta E and Delta Z of the two points that are measured or entered. If Read Inst is enabled, then the two points are measured in the field. If instead you wish to obtain the offset vector from two points, then disable Read Inst and enter the two point numbers. The offset entered will extend the vector from point “P2” in the direction of “P1” to “P2”. The vector offset will also impact the elevation that is calculated. This might be used to calculate a point at the top of a cliff, for example, where you stand above the cliff top, pick up two points on the slope to the cliff edge, and estimate the distance to the cliff face from the second point. The offset by two points routine will write an SS record in the RW5 file (raw file), which enables re-processing.
- Settings: The Settings tab appears with robotic total stations running remotely (from the prsim) and permits reading the target height from a laser and accesses the entire range of laser devices found in the Peripherals menu option under Equip.