Hilger Watts Theodolite Manual -
Hilger & Watts was a premier British manufacturer of precision optical and scientific instruments. Active throughout the mid-20th century, the company earned a global reputation for producing incredibly robust, accurate, and reliable surveying equipment.
The Hilger & Watts Microptic theodolite is a compact, high-precision transit instrument . Its key features include: Science Museum Group Collection Optical Micrometers : Used for accurate readings on glass circles. Internal Illumination : Often equipped for low-light use. Transit Telescope : Designed to swivel completely, allowing for quick back-sighting and error correction. Science Museum Group Collection 2. Setup and Leveling accuracy and precision in measurement: : Secure the instrument to the using the central mounting knob.
To eliminate instrumental errors, the manual will recommend taking readings with the telescope in both the direct (Face Left) and inverted (Face Right) positions, averaging the results. 5. Maintenance and Care hilger watts theodolite manual
Read both the horizontal and vertical circles using the optical reading system and record your angles in your field book.
Whether you are a land surveyor, a vintage engineering collector, or an industrial historian, understanding how to operate, maintain, and reference a is essential. Hilger & Watts was a premier British manufacturer
Formed in 1948 by the merger of Adam Hilger Ltd. and E.R. Watts & Son, the British firm Hilger & Watts became a global benchmark for optical and scientific instruments. Their theodolites, particularly the series, revolutionized field surveying by introducing highly legible glass circles read through an internal optical system, replacing the cumbersome external vernier scales of older brass instruments. Key Models You May Encounter:
The workhorse of civil engineering and land surveying, featuring direct reading or estimation down to single arc-seconds. Its key features include: Science Museum Group Collection
Use the three leveling foot-screws on the tribrach to center the sensitive plate level (or striding level) in both the 3. The Optical Reading System
Separate controls for horizontal (azimuth) and vertical (elevation) motion. The clamps lock coarse movement, while the tangent screws provide fine, smooth adjustments. 4. Operational Step-by-Step Manual Step 1: Setting Up and Centering
Point the telescope toward a bright background (like the sky or a white sheet of paper) and rotate the eyepiece diopter until the reticle crosshairs are sharp and black. Then, use the main focusing knob to bring your target into clear focus.
What is the stamped on your instrument (e.g., Microptic No. 1, No. 2)?