Wild Heerbrugg T2 universal theodolite

[@cookiecutter5584]

Excellent job of providing an overview of the theodolite. I was impressed you took the time to demonstrate how to perform a practical test. I could see this type of demonstration being used in a professional classroom . Great work Baron

[@Baron_Rutledge]

Hey thanks! After watching the video I realized I never showed any images through the scope, as well as made a few other errors. Once I get the opportunity, I’ll get the theodolite calibrated and start utilizing it in making observations.

[@mikelong9638]

These things were amazing pieces of engineering in their own rite. Nice job of getting pictures thru the microscope and nice demonstration.

[@Baron_Rutledge]

In my professional opinion the T2 still is.

[@dazzhan9826]

Excellent video - Thankyou. As a side note about the skin cracks on your hand, oddly enough, try Burt's Bees lip balm (if you can get it) gently applied into the cracked area. I work 12 hour shifts in a mill and Winter time always cracks the skin on my fingers. The Burt's Bees heals them up quick, and just reapply when they start to crack again.

[@jasonstahl1327]

Hey, thanks for this great explanation. I just bought a T2 on eBay, a beautiful condition 1971 model originally from the port of Baltimore. Interestingly, it is not marked with an E but is an erect image scope, lucky me. I guess at some point all Wild scopes were supplied erect and they dropped the E, even before the last T2mod version.

[@Baron_Rutledge]

Congratulations! Welcome to the club. I absolutely love this instrument. In this video I made a blunder in the direct reading. Is yours graduated in degrees?

[@jasonstahl1327]

Yes, degrees, not gons. I saw your follow-up vid explaining the correct micro reading. I have found no other resource for this model, all manuals posted online are the old 2 window micro for model 56. I think I need to spring for the t21/t21dig manual from the archive site. This unit is incredible engineering

[@Yann-sr5ln]

Hello, Thank you very much, it's a great video, with clear explanations! It is really the kind of material I would have appreciated to find when I first started dealing with these beautiful old instruments... If I may suggest, based on my model (which is also a Wild but not exact same version), I think that the 1' reading on your face left is not to be added, but is actually the first digit of the number of minutes. Therefore, the face left zenithal angle reading should probably be 84°18'48.5". Similarly, the face right zenithal angle reading should be 275°43'16". These reading can be converted to FL = 84.3134° and FR = 275.7211° and the sum is : FR + FL = 360.0345°, which represents now only 124 arc-sec of difference with the theoretical value of 360°. It's still a pretty large value, but maybe the target is not perfectly defined, and this instrument does not need calibration after all? Thank you again for this video!

[@Baron_Rutledge]

Hey thank you so much for this response! I came into surveying under conventional instruments...so my experience with the direct reading theodolite is limited. I stand corrected, and very grateful for keen eye right this blunder of mine. This makes perfect sense that each number under the arrow represents 10's of minutes.

[@fromjesse]

You might try neosporin on the perpetual knuckle cracks.

[@Baron_Rutledge]

😆This instrument has been a true masterpiece.

[@fromjesse]

@@Baron_Rutledge That is a lovely instrument. Such an amazing design.

[@bobshafto]

Was going to ask what you paid for it, but found it. (Gulp) Wonderful run-thru of its features. Neat stuff.

[@Baron_Rutledge]

I definitely overpaid on this unit. The owner took great care in maintaining this piece. It came with original bullet case, and the waterproof anti-vibration case, as well as original owner’s manuals. I don’t mind paying a little extra for something that was cared for. I’ll definitely need to get it calibrated so that’s my next move.

[@johnrobbins8093]

Your video brings back memories. The T2 was my favorite instrument for turning angles. The T3 is even more fun. I used the T3 for astronomical shots to make latitude and longitude determinations. Never had a chance to try a T4! The T4s are mostly museum pieces, now.

[@Baron_Rutledge]

@@johnrobbins8093My old boss-surveyor of 48 years- remembers closing tough over budget jobs with the T2. It’s such a wonderful piece of craftsmanship.