So we are digging around in a connex that got delivered and found this. I thought it was an old distance meter but a google search says total station. Is it good for anything other than a boat anchor?
looks like an HP 3810 used one of those in the early 80's, pretty much a boat anchor now but it was great back in it's day
MJP-PLS, post: 349060, member: 8990 wrote: looks like an HP 3810 used one of those in the early 80's, pretty much a boat anchor now but it was great back in it's day
yes, the other picture wouldn't load, the case says 3810A
Forgot the A - been a long time, pretty heavy EDM, had to watch those dials when you attenuated it
Hi
I used a similar HP3805A, which was described as an automatic short range E.D.M. instrument.
Have my old Ministry of Works New Zealand Survey Manual (Rev January 1981) with lots of information.
Maximum range one prism 400 metres, three prisms 1.5 kilometres. Power required 18 watts. Weight of instrument only 9kg etc.
I remember cleaning out a storage area about 25 years ago and disposing of it.
There exists a small following of folks that keep those old HPs running. IF you're going to get rid of it, at least get rid of it their way...and I'm sorry I lost the contact info for the one fella I use to talk to.
We used a 3808A for a long time- max range was around 10K The batteries always sucked though
Used them running control in the late 70s early 80s.
As I recall there were different versions, the one we had would shoot over 5 miles, can't recall the limits, but that's how far we did. Battery was heavy, the unit was bulkey, also had to get a T2 and tripod to the sites.
They were always on a big high hill, glad I was young and in shape then,,,,,,,,,,
The first EDMI that I ever used was an ElectroTape (DM-20 as I recall), AND you needed two of them (one at each end @ ~50 pounds each). Longest shot we ever did was ~206,000 ft.
Next was the Hewlett Packard 3800, which could get ~10,000 or so under good conditions.
Next was Probably the AGA Model 76 (visible LASER), it would reach 6 miles or so.
Then there was a string of 3805s, 3810A & Bs, and of course the 3820A (which was way ahead of its time) and the AGA Model 78.
Once shot ~50,000 Ft. with both a 3810B and a AGA 78 (same day, same vector).
I bought a new Topcon GTS-3b in the mid-80s, but still used the 78 for LONG shots.
I still have that 3b & AGA Model 78...although I don't used the 3b much anymore (GPS heaven out here), and I'm not sure the 78 would still fire up.
What a long strange trip it's been!
Loyal
My first EDM experience was with an HP3800. I was part of the chaining crew that made sure it wasn't going to lie to us. We spent a whole day shooting, then chaining to verify to satisfy the old timers.
Sure was an improvement over dragging a hundred foot tape. Those were the good old days.....
NO! These are the good old days. GPS sure beats a distomat.....
Fast forward a hundred years in the future; Who knows what it holds? NOW may be the good old days then, also.....