Shopping for an automatic level I notice the huge difference in price from the top to the next in line.
A $1200 level has higher magnification, greater resolving power, precision and a focus knob that is two speed for fine and coarse adjustments.
The next in line is $600 which is tempting but has none of the features mentioned.
What do surveyors choose: price or quality?
I have used the really nice ones and there is a big difference in how far you can accurately shoot with it, etc. The digital levels area really the best and most accurate way to level.
That being said, I use a cheap one, but I don't use it very often. When I do use it, I follow procedures that minimize error such as performing a peg test to make sure the level is in adjustment and keeping the distances short and balanced. I have run 2 miles or more with a cheap model Topcon level and have closed within 0.01' which was fine for what I was doing.
Thank you Dan.
