Using the Deltas to confirm final grade and elevation. Delta shows elevation change is close.

I wanted to share my experience using the Dirty Devices Delta for my house build. It’s been about a year since I wrapped up this project, so I know the platform has seen some great updates since then, but the workflow I established was a total game-changer for a first-time operator like me.

I was tasked with digging the footings for my house, and let me tell you, trying to find "level" on a steep hillside is a challenge. Additionally, I was working solo many days so no one to run a laser stick.

My Workflow: I set the project type to "Earthwork." This was essential because it allowed me to use the pitch and roll data. I used the pitch to make sure my bucket was curled the exact same amount for every elevation measurement, and the roll helped me ensure the excavator was sitting level on the slope, which gave me a lot more confidence that my reference numbers were accurate and the bottom of the trench was level.

The Setup: My routine was to establish a solid Zero point and drive a stake at that spot. If I could reach that stake with my bucket, I’d set my Delta 0 right to it. If I was working too far away to reach it, I’d use my laser level and receiver to set the Delta zero. Having that physical stake within reach was a lifesaver—it was my "ground truth" to double-check my calibration as conditions changed throughout the day.

A Quick Tip on Calibration: I did notice a bit of drift, specifically when the sun went down and the temperature shifted. I got into the habit of resetting my zero the moment the sun went behind the mountain. It only took a second, but it kept my numbers tight for the rest of the evening.

The Results: I had never excavated anything that required such specific elevations before. The Delta made the job easily 3x faster. Beyond the speed, it actually helped me become a better operator—I turned the process into a game where I’d focus on keeping the elevation numbers perfectly steady while I was digging.

Also, as a solo operator, this thing was worth its weight in gold. I didn’t have anyone on-site to run a laser stick, so the Delta saved me from hopping in and out of the cab 50+ times a day.

We have a YouTube channel and document this part of the build with a couple videos so feel free to check that out. https://youtu.be/gbg9WZbR5k0?si=OVXEWdtbY0sJD2Zp

If you're on the fence about using one for your own build, just do it. It saved my back and kept my footings dead-on.

I'm currently prepping for my septic system so I look forward to using all the new feature like wind filtering!

use a mini ipad for easy view and to eliminate phone calls emails texts or anything else taking away from your ability to stay on task, have both a magnetic and suction ram mount this allows mounting on any machine

double check periodically the elevation as your weather stations could end up in direct sunlight and cause some drifting.

Get out and use it the more i use mine the more confident i become with it

I decided to go with a larger screen and used a IPAD4 Mini on a ram mount this works so nice to be able to see the screen and not worry about phone calls or texts interfering with my ability to stay on track, Both myself and my father have used this on the excavator digging a septic tank hole and for digging the base out on a septic system and both really enjoyed the way it worked we added some orange cones to put the weather stations on in order to keep them protected from sitting them on the direct ground and gives us a visual to find them after and make sure we don't run them over, I started with the 3 pack and moved to the 4 pack system after the first time i used the system to expand the work area, we have put in a 40x40 garage pad using the unit on a skid steer and fine graded a house pad today with it checking it occasionally with a transit and so far we have not had any issues. If your on the fence about it try and find someone else who has purchased and just give it a try for a few minutes and you'll end up with your own as well i'm sure, I am very tight with my spending and looked at every youtube available for quite sometime and finally purchased. I also have a ram mount set up with a magnet to use the device on the bulldozer too.

• Improved battery level reporting

• Improved battery charging indicator reporting

• Added support for orientation tenths as a feature

This can happen even with no wind and no movement. It’s one of the more confusing behaviors because nothing looks wrong, but the elevation continues to shift.

The Delta system measures elevation using barometric pressure, and that pressure is affected by temperature. When the temperature changes from what it was at the time of zeroing, your elevation readings can begin to shift away from that zero point.

The good news is this is predictable and manageable once you know what to look for.

Thermal drift typically shows up as:

• A slow, steady change in elevation, away from zero

• Movement that isn’t tied to wind or machine motion

• Readings that continue to shift even when everything seems stable

There are a few common ways this happens in the field:

1. Changing ambient temperature over time
As the temperature rises or falls throughout the day, drift can begin to appear. Faster or larger temperature swings will create more noticeable movement.

2. Sun and shade differences
If one Delta is in the sun while others are in the shade, they will heat at different rates. This is one of the fastest ways to introduce drift, and it can become noticeable in just a couple of minutes.

This can also happen over time as the sun moves and changes the conditions of your setup.

3. Units not fully acclimated
If Deltas are brought from one environment to another (like from an air-conditioned shop into summer heat), they need time to equalize. Generally 15 minutes will do the trick unless the temperatures are drastically different, then give your Deltas a few extra minutes.

Turning them on also generates heat inside the case, so allowing time before zeroing is important.

A smaller but common scenario

Even normal operation can introduce small temperature differences.

Driving in and out of sun and shade can slightly change the temperature of the primary unit. When returning to your working position, give the system a moment to settle before checking grade.

How to reduce thermal drift

In most cases, thermal drift can be minimized with a few simple setup habits:

• Keep all Deltas in the same sun or shade conditions

• Avoid partial transitions (one unit moving into a different sun or shade condition than the others)

• Allow time for Deltas to acclimate before zeroing

• Re-check conditions as the day progresses

What to do when it happens

Thermal drift can be quickly corrected by re-zeroing.

Before doing that, identify what caused the drift and correct it if possible. Otherwise, the drift will continue after you re-zero.

We are working on a factory performed calibration that should help alleviate the impact of thermal drift in an upcoming firmware update.

The Delta system works by comparing pressure between units. When those units are experiencing similar conditions, noise gets canceled out and readings stay stable. When conditions don’t match, that difference shows up as movement in your elevation readings.

The card below shows what good and bad placement looks like. The top row is what you’re aiming for. The bottom row is what creates problems. The goal is to keep all Deltas in consistent conditions.

One more factor to consider

The card focuses on wind, obstacles, and height because those are the most visible and common sources of instability.

There is one more factor to keep in mind: temperature exposure (sun and shade).

Deltas can begin to thermally drift when they are heating or cooling at different rates. This can happen quickly. For example, if all units are in the shade and one moves into direct sun, you may start to see drift in under a minute.

Because of this, when you’re setting up, it’s important to treat sun and shade the same way you would wind or obstacles. Keep all Deltas in similar conditions.

Common placement issues we see

• One unit in sun while others are shaded

• Anchors set at different heights to make placement easier

• One unit exposed to wind while another is shielded

• Obstacles affecting only part of the setup

Adaptive Filtration can smooth out short-term noise from wind and turbulence, but it won’t fix inconsistent placement.

If you’ve found a setup that works well in tough conditions, share it below. Real-world setups are some of the most helpful ways to help others dial in their systems.

-Rebecca