Saturday, 6 June 2015

Choosing The Best Theodolite

By Carey Bourdier


Theodolites, as you may know, are important optical instruments used by surveyors and other types of engineers. The theodolite is used to measure angles and can do so in both the vertical and horizontal planes. While theodolites have long been known as helpful tools for many types of surveying, they also are used by meteorologists and aerospace engineers.

If you are in the market for a theodolite, it is important to note that there are several different types of theodolites. For instance, a telemetering theodolite is an optical instrument that is often used to calibrate navigation aids used by the Federal Aviation Administration. This includes the VORTAC and TACAN navigational aids, as well as instrument landing systems or ISL.

If you need to measure azimuth and angles of elevation for moving objects, such as aircraft, ships or perhaps a weather balloon or pilot balloon, then you might consider some type of observation theodolite. In some cases, this theodolite will be fixed and mounted in a permanent place and in some cases, you will need to be able to move it to various locations. These observation theodolites sometimes are called pibal theodolites, which stands for pilot balloon observation theodolites; however, not all observation theodolites are pibal theodolites.

The pibal theodolite can be used to track a weather balloon; however, there are theodolites specifically designed for use by meteorologists. Not surprisingly, these are simply called meteorological theodolites and there are many different models to consider. Manufacturers such as Warren Knight produce meteorological theodolites that rapidly record information such as elevation angles and azimuth. These theodolites are designed to withstand many different conditions.

Generally, the transit theodolite is the one with which people tend to be the most familiar. These are used for hundreds of different surveying and engineering tasks. This includes determining land boundaries and in many types of construction engineering. A transit theodolite can be used to ensure that roads, bridges, railways and skyscrapers are well constructed and safe.

The theodolite has been around for centuries in various forms, but in 1971 a new type of theodolite was introduced and called a total station. This helpful device was the first optical instrument that could record angle measurements as well as distance. It includes a transit theodolite as well as an EDM or electronic distance meter. Civil engineers used the devices, and they are one of the most important tools in the arsenal of a mining engineer.




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