I'd appreciate comments anyone has on a Kern E2. I just bought one to add to my collection of "toys" and my initial impression is that it isn't much of an instrument.
If you've used one I'd like to hear what you think of the unit.
Thanks
I've never seen one, but I was impressed years ago by the description of the E2 on the Swisstek page as "the most accurate and stable electronic sub-second theodolite ever built." It must have something going for it to warrant that kind of praise from a dealer who handles Kern, Wild and Zeiss instruments.
Yes, I read that and that is one of the reasons I bought one to try out. However, the manual only rates it as a one second gun. Needless to say I've got to play with it some to see what I'm missing.
Speaking of Kern instruments, I have in my possession a Kern CK1-A level, with the weirdo tripod.
Never used it and likely never will. It was part of the package I bought from an old timer surveyor who needed to unload things. He has since passed, but I've got most of his old stuff. Including an old K & E (might be a Gurley) transit. I need a better magnifying glass to read the vernier though (old eyes).
I always wonder about the value of that stuff? Supposedly back in the old days Kern was state of the art bestest of the bestest, but it seems it's going now for collectibles.
This is being picky, but I think you mean GK1-A - and yes, you are correct - in their day Kern had some great instruments. But they always did go their own way with tripod heads which had their merits, but were also frequently inconvenient to people used to regular tripods. You are also correct that most of their stuff goes for a song price wise.
> This is being picky, but I think you mean GK1-A
Got me on that one Dave. I looked closer and it is in fact a GK1-A. C or G, tend to look the same from old eyes, who was not donning his glasses at the time.
I'm thinking the next APLS conference of donating for auction, along with some other old school stuff I'll never use. All proceeds go the AZ APLS Education fund, as we try and fund around $1K/yr for scholarships of surveyor wannabe's. I'm keeping the transit though, it's fun to look at if nothing else.
I know what you mean about old eyes - I plead guilty as well.
That level would be a fine donation for a scholarship auction. Should help your efforts at attaining your goal.
I owned 2 E-1's and other than heavy they were great as a (then) total station, circa 1987. I changed when Kern was bought by Leica, plus they didn't interface with the new (then) data collectors. Beautiful optics, LCD display that was better than anything I have today, and beautiful weird tripods with centering rods. I wore the tripod legs out, but kept the centering rod and head by adapting them to Leica legs. The E-2 was the more precise machine, but I didn't have much trouble with the E-1's traverse closures.