Some embodiments of the invention include a surveying apparatus that includes an optoelectronic distance measuring device having a measuring beam path, a base for placing the surveying apparatus, a support which is mounted on the base such that it is rotatable about a vertical axis, a beam directing unit which is mounted in the support such that it is rotatable about a tilting axis, an angle measurement system for measuring the axial positions, and an actuatable positioning device driving the beam directing unit or the support. In some embodiments the positioning device may include a plurality of coils which are arranged in a positionally fixed manner in the form of a ring about the tilting axis and/or vertical axis, with winding axes which are axially parallel to the tilting axis or vertical axis.