# Conventional surveys

In a conventional survey, the controller is connected to a conventional instrument such as a total station or spatial station. For a list of the conventional instruments that can be connected, see Supported equipment.

The steps for completing measurements using a conventional instrument are:

1. Configure the survey style.
2. Set up the instrument and position your targets at the site.
3. If it is not already connected, connect the Trimble Access software to the instrument.
4. Start the survey.
5. Complete the station setup.
6. Measure or stake out points.
7. End the survey.

All surveys in Trimble Access are controlled by a survey style. Survey styles define the parameters for configuring and communicating with your equipment, and for measuring and staking points. This whole set of information is stored as a template and used each time you start a survey.

Trimble Access provides two conventional survey styles by default: SX10 & SX12 and VX & S Series.

Default survey styles are created by Trimble Access when a new installation of the software is started, but only if there are no existing survey styles.

The type of conventional survey you will use will depend on the available equipment and the results required. Configure the style only if the default settings do not suit your needs.