Kern parallel plate micrometer for sale

What is the power of magnification? One reason I would want it is for the reason that it comes from the same Canton as my family did!

Inverted image, by the way.

> What is the power of magnification?

Darrell,
Not known, magnification is not marked on level. User manuals can be purchased on line, just google Kern aarau levels.
Jim

As you can tell, I am not educated enough about this type of antiquated equipment. How is it typically used? I merely read Swiss and Aarau and that did it for me. I probably don't have any use for the gadget though.

> As you can tell, I am not educated enough about this type of antiquated equipment. How is it typically used? I merely read Swiss and Aarau and that did it for me. I probably don't have any use for the gadget though.

Well, I don't know about the "antiquated" part as I would surmise the precision is comparable to today's digital levels and considerable higher than the typical "auto levels" sold today. This level is built right with precision compononents and quality optics.

Making the assumption that you have run three wire levels before and are familiar with differential leveling procedures, this instrument goes a step farther by the attachment of a parallel plate micrometer (which you don't have to use). In essence, it raises or lowers your line of sight so you can read the closest mark on the rod and by knowing the distance sighted (from reading the stadia hairs)and the marks on the knob, can compute the corrected elevation.

Respectfully,
Jim Vianna

I have an identical one. Magnification is somewhere between 24X and 32X. Note that this is a tilting level; it does NOT have a compensator. I'm pretty sure the micrometer is a one-centimeter micrometer, so you will need a matching rod that is graduated upside-down to match the inverted image - not an easy thing to find ...

Makes for a great paperweight!

> Makes for a great paperweight!

hey prof,
you know what they say about opinions every ones got one. One mans paper weight is another's precision instrument. I hope your not so quick to judge with your students, but I suspect you may be.

For those that are interested:
Model No. is NK-3(m) early to mid 50's vintage. I think the "m" denoted micrometer. Inverted metric rods can be found on e-bay and for sale new

This place is offering one for $450, no manual or case. It is the same as Jim's except that it does NOT have the parallel plate micrometer feature, right?

Cliff didn't say that it was ONLY good as a paperweight. That must just be the best use he has for it.

You can use a cm micrometer with a rod in feet and record another column in the field book for the micrometer, and then enter the numbers in a simple spreadsheet to do the calculations including stadia distance, 3-wire average, units conversion from the micrometer, and fine height offset from the micrometer.

This instrument seems like it would be an inexpensive way to get high precision if you don't need it often enough to justify the cost of a digital level.

Bill,
Thank you, at last, an intelligent post that contributes useful information to the item at hand. Not sure why Mr. tenured geomagician prof. bad mouthed what I was trying to sell, but it says a lot.

> Cliff didn't say that it was ONLY good as a paperweight. That must just be the best use he has for it.
>
Wouldn't surprise me, siting around in acedamaia/geomagician land there is probably lots of paper that needs to be held down.

> You can use a cm micrometer with a rod in feet and record another column in the field book for the micrometer, and then enter the numbers in a simple spreadsheet to do the calculations including stadia distance, 3-wire average, units conversion from the micrometer, and fine height offset from the micrometer. This instrument seems like it would be an inexpensive way to get high precision if you don't need it often enough to justify the cost of a digital level. >

My thoughts exactly, some people think that if it wasn't built in the last ten years it is inferior. I would postulate that many items are junk today compared to what they once were when things were done right.
Jim

I didn't get the impression that Cliff was denigrating the instrument's quality or desirability. I think he was pointing out that it's current value derives more from its embodiment of fine design and manufacture than from its capabilities as a production instrument.

Anyone interested in high-order geodetic leveling for anything other than a hobby project would be well-advised to leave the optical levels on the shelf. Digital is just way too fast and accurate to justify a return to the old ways. For a one-off project you can rent a digital level; you're most likely going to have to rent the invar rods anyway.

by the way ... your level is indeed a Kern NK3M , was produced in 1952 and magnification is 30x ... list price with micrometer and tripod was 1475 DM in 1957