Carl Zeiss Elta R50

I have a Trimble 3306 DR, but it says it is an Elta R50 Version 5.65 when I turn it on.

My Manual does not agree with my instrument, however it says the Contrast cannot be changed with the display illumination On, which is true.

On my instrument I hit Shift/Menu;
Scroll down to settings, pick it
and scroll down.
On my instrument 12 is Illumination, 13 is Contrast. I turned on 12 and could not adjsut 13. I turned off 12 and scrolled to 13, while holding down the MOD button, press the up or down arrows to change contrast, you may have to scroll up and down blindly as the contrast changes quickly.

Hope that gives you some idea where to start.

Paul in PA

Has either of your instruments given problems with the reflectorless not giving a distance result?

Yes

This units shoots with the laser all the time. For a reflector shot a filter is powered into position (you can here it move) to cut the power, otherwise the return shot overpowers the receiver and your eyes if you happen to be staring into it at the time. A few years ago my filter jammed halfway down and it would not take either shot, and had a few wild distances just prior to that. It had to go back to the factory. If you are getting prism shots but not prismless your filter may be locked in the down position.

Paul in PA

Yes

Thanks for the info Paul. Mine is sporadic. It seems to work sometimes if it is cool outside temps. I had it fixed once, but after a year or so it started to fail in the same manner again.

The support at zeiss.de helped out.

Here's the answer for all R series models

Hold the power (on) button. While holding the power button press and release the 3rd button from the left until the desired contrast is reached.

Thanks for your help