I'm seeking to find a solar filter to fit over the objective lens of a recently acquired Topcon 300 Series TS. I think it's likely an after market item. I'm looking to get some experience taking solars for establishing azimuths, something I'm inexperienced at but would like to work on. Please drop me a line if you have a lead on one or have any suggestions. Thanks.:-D
When I had to purchase them they were running about maybe $500 or more for the set up. That's the filter and the 90 degree prism for the eyepiece. (also comes in handy when locating steel plumbness). Make sure you specify which gun you have. My experience was one did not fit the other, even though all Topcon.
When I upgraded to a new instrument, the first thing I noticed was that the size of the lens was larger and my old solar filter would not fit over it.
I did discover that it would fit inside the lens shade of the new instrument.
B-)
The last time I did a solar observation was more than 10 years ago! How time flies.
Had not had a need to get solar azimuths since we got our GPS receivers.
I remember a fellow surveyor ran to a hardware store and bought one of those rectangular welding glass that fits into a welder's helmet.
He just taped it onto the front of the total station & was able to do the solar observation.
Do you even need the right-angle eyepiece in Alaska for solar azimuths? Unless you're observing in the summer near noon (when accurate timing is most critical), the angle should be manageable without.
Now Polaris, that's another matter.
> The last time I did a solar observation was more than 10 years ago! How time flies.
> Had not had a need to get solar azimuths since we got our GPS receivers.
@ roveryan,
I'm like you and I've come to rely on my GPS receivers or ties to lines with record bearings. I guess that it just bugs me I've never had to learn to do solars and I aims to fix that.
pickup a 30" transit on ebay and project it onto a card.
