Vintage Hilger & Watts instruments are built to last lifetimes, but old lubricants can harden, and optical paths can collect dust. Common Adjustments (The Two-Peg Test)
Positioned parallel to or directly alongside the main telescope eyepiece. This auxiliary microscope allows the operator to read both the horizontal and vertical internal glass circles simultaneously.
Production peaked in the 1950s and 1960s. By the 1970s, the rise of electronic theodolites and total stations (like the Hewlett-Packard 3820) made these optical wonders obsolete. However, because they were built like tanks, thousands still exist in storage sheds, university geology departments, and estate sales. hilger watts theodolite manual
While Hilger & Watts produced various specialized instruments, two core models dominated the surveying and engineering landscapes: Hilger & Watts Microptic No. 1 (One-Minute Theodolite)
Precision is maintained through specific techniques detailed in many professional surveying forums 0;17;: Vintage Hilger & Watts instruments are built to
: Specifically designed for tracking weather balloons, these featured unique hand-cranked micrometer drums and a closed-frame design to withstand harsh environments.
Want a longer blog-style post (300–600 words), a short social media caption, or an outline for a restoration/how-to guide? Which length and tone do you prefer? Production peaked in the 1950s and 1960s
When looking through the reading eyepiece of a No. 1 model, you will see two illuminated apertures: typically the upper window displays the Vertical Circle () and the lower window displays the Horizontal Circle ( H ). Look for the main degree numbers printed on the scale.
Look through the reading eyepiece. Turn the micrometer knob until the graduation lines in the main scale window are perfectly centered within the indexing forks. Once centered, read the main degrees and minutes from the upper window, and read the fine single minutes and seconds from the lower micrometer window. Combine the two readings for your final ultra-precise measurement. 5. Maintenance, Storage, and Calibration