Posts from General Discussion

[John Wilusz]

Wild T16 theodolite for sale. The owner purchased it new in the mid-1960's and used it continuously until his retirement in 2011. The instrument is well-used, but it is in good adjustment and is ready to to go to work. No EDM, but it comes with steel bullet case and original wood-pyramid shipping case. Best offer. This is not my instrument. I am selling it for a friend who has already donated every other piece of surveying equipment he owned to the CLSA scholarship auction. If interested respond here or email: johnwilusz@gmail.com

[Administrator]

Landing spot for items for sale.

[E_Page]

Just took delivery of this fine instrument. It comes from a very highly regarded surveyor who has had a long career in the Sacramento area and the foothill counties. A little bit of "field patina", but in perfect working order. This T-16 will be proudly displayed in my office at State Lands, but will also see a bit of fieldwork here and there on my own property. Eventually (sometime after I retire), it will probably go to the CLSA Scholarship Auction.

Back in the early 90's, I was the #2 chief at a 2-3 crew office. As #2, I got the hand-me-down T-16 while #1 had the newer Lietz SET-2. I never let on, but always thought that I got the better end of that deal. Looking back over the past 35 years, I've used many instruments that have more convenience features, and are better suited to production for most purposes in modern practice, but the T-16 still stands out as my favorite. Tough, smooth motions and clamps, and great optics in a fairly small, durable package. And it never shuts down due to dead batteries or wet weather.

Many thanks to the surveyor who owned, used, and took great care of this T-16 since, if I understood correctly, 1962. and thank you, John for facilitating the sale and delivering the instrument, legs, target, and top-mount conversation piece (formerly an EDM) to my office this morning. I really feel like I got more than my money's worth.

[Warren Smith]

Evan,

I'm glad to hear your appreciation for Swiss craftsmanship. My personal favorite instrument is the Kern DKM2. Same thing - great optics, butter-smooth movement, and very repeatable angles. I even miss the fourth leg.

[Edward M Reading]

You can't beat those Swiss optics and machining. I started out on a T-1 and T-2. That T-2 was an amazing piece of engineering. At OIT, I had the luck to be the survey equipment room guardian as my work/study job. They had a bunch of Kern DKM's and even a Wild T-3. Good stuff!