Hilger Watts Theodolite Manual -

The Hilger & Watts Microptic theodolite is a precision optical-mechanical instrument, featuring a transit telescope and internal glass circles for measuring vertical and horizontal angles. Key operations include precise leveling, using optical plummets for centering, and taking both face-left and face-right measurements to eliminate instrumental errors. You can find a PDF of the manual at wakanokumot.weebly.com . Microptic transit theodolite, 1954

Centering and Leveling

0;40c;: Position the tripod over the mark and use the foot screws and altitude bubble to level the theodolite. hilger watts theodolite manual

8. Maintenance & Troubleshooting

Place the tripod over the survey point. Press the tripod shoes firmly into the ground. The tripod head should be roughly eye-level and as level as possible by eye. The Hilger & Watts Microptic theodolite is a

Practical tip: Use two-person teams (one at instrument, one at target) to improve speed and reduce parallax errors. Main Scale: Read the degree number and the

While theodolites excel at measuring angles, they cannot measure distances on their own, requiring a separate tool like a tape or chain. Modern digital versions now include electronic readout screens, but many professionals still value the Hilger & Watts for its independence from batteries and its legendary optical quality.

• Focusing: Adjust eyepiece to suit observer’s eyesight, then focus objective on the target to eliminate parallax.
• Collimation check: Sight a distant point, reverse telescope (face left/right or zenith/nadir), and verify alignment; correct or note collimation error.
• Reading:
  • Main Scale: Read the degree number and the major minutes (usually in 10 or 20-minute intervals) visible in the window.
  • Micrometer Scale: Look at the scale revealed by the micrometer knob. This gives you the minutes and seconds.
  • Sum: Add the two values together.