Digital levels

We have been using SDL30's for about 10 years. No complaints from the users. One was dropped on the pavement - cheaper to buy another one than to fix it. But I was told it will still work as a trade in.
Overall I would give them a great rating. It has also reduced blunders.
Just my 2 cents.

Thanks rochs01
That is the type of information I am looking for.

Gotta give thumbs up to the Sokia. We use our for high precession at the refineries. Ten years and can't be beat. Good Luck - Matt

Just had the opportunity to work with a Leica digital level. The results were amazing, usually better than 1 thousandth of a foot closure for every 1000 feet of level work. Not sure how this compares to Sokkia's levels. I will say that I have become a fan of Sokkia's product line and own an SRX 3 robot which is a great instrument.

We have had several Leicas over the years. The metal rods are the weak link. They seem to wear at the joints and become unusable. The levels themselves seem very good. I would spend some extra money and get an invar rod if you are dropping that much money into a level. Last time I looked they were around $1600.

Thanks for the replies guys. I'll take all the thoughts to the boss and may the best level win.

If you're considering a digital level you might want to also consider investing in attending the upcoming NGS training on digital leveling -- Digital Leveling. There's no charge except for your travel expenses.

Dave
I would love to attend the class but I sure my travel request would be turned down. Thanks for the offer though.

Never used one myself, but

in the last 10 years or so, different survey crews have come through Nome with one in their equipment inventory. Usually after a good rain, they come borrow one of my old optical levels and a rod with numbers .... dunno??

-JD-

Never used one myself, but

I have one that is an older level and it is kind of painful to use. Sometimes I keep having to move the vertical cross hair a little back or forth to get it to get a reading. Then the rod face gets boogered up over the years so I have to set up high or low enough for the danged thing to take a reading.

I only use it for one task that I understand requires a digital level.

Give me a Zeiss NI2 or one of the long Wilds anyday over that thing.

Maybe the newer ones are improved in the reading department. All sorts of things upset that one I use, too much sunlight, too much shade, too much cloudiness, etc.

Never used one myself, but

Dave
I don't have a large amount of experience with a digital level but on the occassions I have rented one it worked pretty slick with terrific closures. The only reason we are considering buying now is that the one we normally rent has been sold.
Limiting the sight distances to around 100 meters is a bit of a pain but other than that the leveling process goes smoothly. Sometimes we have a little trouble on windy days because of movement at the rod. The rodman uses a couple lath to hold it steady when that happens.

Thanks again everybody for the replies. I really appreciate the help. I thought about checking the archives on the other board because I imagine this question has come up in the past but couldn't figure out how to do it. If somebody knows how, let me know and I'll report any knowledge I discover from the past.

Never used one myself, but

no question the closures are wonderful and the lack of misread foot blunders is nice too.

worth every penny, currently using the Leica DNA 03. good closures, no misreading the rod, and easy to run least squared closures on with actual file. Highly recomend it.
price=5000 +/-

Never used one myself, but

I have only used Leica digital levels. They are great, but I have not heard anything bad about other brands. Going digital is very good regardless.

I don't know why you would get the invar rods unless you have first-order work to do. They are 10' long and do not "break down", so you have to have the right vehicle (or some kind of mount) just to haul them around. Also, I don't know why you would want NGS training unless you are doing higher-precision work. (and why would you wnat ngs training for digital and not for regular sight levels) To use just as a basic level you are going good with digital. You decrease possible busted readings, and (at least the Leica) always had great closures.

Digital Level

We are on our second Leica Digital Level. The first one lasted about 12 years. The only problem with it is the memory card and battries. It is still a great optical level. The new DNA 10 is easier to use and more user friendly. We routinely get 2nd order closures on loops using the fiberglass rods. Bot instruments have paid for themselves many times over because they prevent leveling errors. The only way to bust a loop is to make a rodding error, or to drop the level. The new DNA 10 takes a lick and keeps on ticking. It was dropped once, hit on the handle on top, and never missed a beat. I did not hear about it until the rod man was running his mouth when he should have been quiet. The PC showed me the loop they dropped it on, and re resulting closure. The next 3 loops had good closures too. We sent it in for calibration and all was good.🙂 :beer: