For best results with my inclinometers, must my boreholes be very close to vertical?

Answer: The hole should be drilled as close to vertical as possible. Verticality is limited by the capabilities of your drill rig, the crew, and the local geology. However, one to two degrees from vertical are typical values used in specifications. Accuracy specifications from Slope Indicator assume that the inclination is less than 3 degrees.

Vertical boreholes eliminate one type of systematic error, called rotation error, that can occur if inclinometer probes are interchanged or if the mechanical alignment of a single probe changes over time AND the borehole has significant tilt.