A method for surveying in which the surveying instrument may be positioned in substantially more locations than with prior art surveying methods. The surveying method employs a separate point at which a compass is positioned. The bearing of the object to be located relative to the compass is measured. The distance between a surveying instrument and this object is determined by setting the bearing of the surveying instrument equal to the bearing of the compass, measuring the distance between the compass and the surveying instrument, measuring the angle formed between the compass and surveying instrument and object and instrument, and then determining the distance between the surveying instrument and object using trigonometric principles.
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