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Arrrgggggg!

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(@just-a-surveyor)
Posts: 1945
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Estimate to repair a Leica Sprinter level is nearly half the list price. Should I pay $585 to repair a 10 year old $1300 level?

 
Posted : July 19, 2017 1:49 pm
(@paden-cash)
Posts: 11088
 

Depends on your business structure. If it's financially for the better to purchase new and depreciate it, go for it. But remember, equipment repair is 100% deductible. Also something to consider if you operate multiple crews: repair the old one AND buy a new one if you can keep both of them on-line and earning money.

But prima fascia: Spending $585 to repair something that might only be worth $400 afterwards only makes sense in a sentimental realm.

 
Posted : July 19, 2017 1:55 pm
(@just-a-surveyor)
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Yeah, that's the "sucky" part of repairing anything electronic. The replacement cost is probably $1300-$1400 plus tax. The repair cost is $585 for a level that might be worth $400 once it's repaired.

Looks like I have a paper weight.

 
Posted : July 19, 2017 2:23 pm
 jph
(@jph)
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Unless you're doing precise leveling, I've found that a $300 22x or 24x Sokkia level does all that I need it to do.

 
Posted : July 19, 2017 2:34 pm
(@larry-scott)
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My 50 yr old Wild N2 came from a dumpster.

It works very well. Acquisition $0, repair $0.

 
Posted : July 19, 2017 7:28 pm
(@dave-lindell)
Posts: 1683
 

If you're doing precise leveling I have a Wild N-3 and Invar rods, but shipping could be expensive.

 
Posted : July 19, 2017 7:45 pm
(@just-a-surveyor)
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Larry Scott, post: 437742, member: 8766 wrote: My 50 yr old Wild N2 came from a dumpster.

It works very well. Acquisition $0, repair $0.

What kind of evil person would throw a working Wild level away. I'd love to have an old Ni2.

 
Posted : July 20, 2017 1:47 am
(@lakehouse21)
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I replaced my plotter after I found out the print heads were going to cost $400, bought a new HP T120 for $720 on amazon and it's been great.

Acquired a Leica TCR305, contacted the dealer and asked about a clean/cal before I sold it, they told me they wouldn't service it as if they broke something I would have a paper weight. It still sits under my desk.

 
Posted : July 20, 2017 4:16 am
(@chris-mills)
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Just A. Surveyor, post: 437760, member: 12855 wrote: What kind of evil person would throw a working Wild level away. I'd love to have an old Ni2.

Half a dozen came up for auction last week as a result of a large business collapsing - they all went for around ?œ300+.

I've had a couple since they weren't old - with invar staves they still bring in ?œ20,000+ work a year. Paid for many, many times over. Just like the very old T2 which goes out about once every 5 years and brings back several times its original cost on each trip (its a very old one without a compensator, so once set up and the vertical bubble adjustment knob locked it can cope with ships in motion).

 
Posted : July 20, 2017 4:22 am
(@chris-mills)
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Minor correction - I misread NI2 as NA2

 
Posted : July 20, 2017 4:25 am
(@larry-scott)
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Just A. Surveyor, post: 437760, member: 12855 wrote: What kind of evil person would throw a working Wild level away. I'd love to have an old Ni2.

The N2 hadn't been used in decades. I had it for a while before I finally pulled out. A little TLC, a drop or two of oil, and it was dead nuts accurate. No adjustment necessary, no batteries, software updates, no need to read instructions either. (I used an N3 for years.)

It's just luck that someone - old guy that knew better - pulled it back from the trash, and said "you might want this".

 
Posted : July 20, 2017 4:18 pm