Manholes and Vaults

Kevin Grover
2025-08-25T20:17:22Z

Overview

With the qCam, it is possible to capture underground manholes or vaults to create an accurate 3D dataset.

Accessories

Here are some links to the two things you would need to attach to an extended survey pole.

Power Cable Extension

5/8"-11 Female to 1/4"-20 Male Adapter

Capture Procedures

1. Attach the camera to a survey pole by removing the handle & picatinny rail then attach it to a survey pole using a ¼” - 20 to 5/8” - 11 adapter

2. Create a new capture on the qCam

3. Begin the capture for a few minutes above-ground to obtain a position using GNSS

4. Turn on the flash in the app

5. Circle around the outside of the manhole pointing the center cam towards the hole with the flash on

6. Slowly lower the camera down (upside down) into the manhole with the flash on. Don't let it get too close to the sides of the manhole because objects closer than 50cm will be filtered out.

7. Slowly rotate the camera in a circular fashion and move it around if possible

8. Slowly pull the camera out of the manhole

9. Turn off the flash

10. Walk around for a few minutes above-ground to get GNSS fix again

11. End capture