I could have put this under humor, but decided to stick with surveying.
As most of you have read below Mike, John, Ed & I attended an NGS Astro-azimuth workshop last week. Had a good time and learned a lot.
Took along my T-3 and did some astro shots, but noticed that the focus tigtened up as I went towards infinity. Hadn't experienced that at home, but at home I was only working with short shots. So I decided to investigate.
Took apart the eyepiece end of the scope and couldn't see anything obvious, but I did notice some lube grease, etc., that was probably quite old so I cleaned everything up in the focus lense assembly, re-lubed it, and put it back together. Same thing - stiff at infinity.
So I keep looking for the problem and notice this little screw head that links the sliding focusing lense with a small piece of thread that moves with the focusing ring. So I say to myself, self - wonder if that's tight. So I check it and sure enough it had backed out about 1/2 turn. Tighten it down, put everything back together, and it's smooth as can be now. Given the thread size and the 1/2 turn, probably didn't move it 0.01" - but it made all the difference in the world.
Now that I've got it working right and reassembled, it's time to re-collimate.
I know a lot of surveyors have a warped sense of fun, but this is fun!
I have sent my PDL4500 to California twice, to get new batteries installed. I felt that BOTH times, that replacement battery somehow did not last very long.
So, this last time, I ignored the pleas from PAcific Crest, (Owned by Trimble) who said "No user replacement parts inside".
And I did it meself.
I discovered a 1500mah battery had been installed by PacCrest/Trimble.
The stinkers! It is supposed to havea 2400!
I replaced it with a 2800mah battery.
It works GREAT now. And, it did NOT have to be gone 2wks, and come back with an inferior battery.
Life is like that you know. Do it yourself, if it want it done right!
N
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@nate-the-surveyor?ÿ ?ÿHeres my small contribution. I need to replace the battery in my PDL-4500 and having zero luck locating a shop interested to help out. So DIY. Like other posters here, NZ or AU are the only places selling the spec battery with harness:?ÿ
GPSB-PDL4500-BP1?ÿ?ÿ
https://www.batterydoctor.com.au/store/pacific-crest-pdl4500-gps-radio-pacific-crest-epg-0604-1.html
So, I Battery doctored my unit, and found the OE Battery in my unit is a Panasonic CGR18560CG , MH12210 which i can source domestically for $2.56 plus $5.00 shipping. All the right Voltages and capacity.?ÿ
https://www.ledwholesalers.com/v2/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=396&search=CGR18650
I cut the foam apart, the shrink wrap and appear to be able to re-use the adhesive harness. A little AutoCraft Shrink wrap from ace hardware and tape, I should be ready to go no soldering needed.?ÿ
Hope this helps other folks out.?ÿ
I did that too.?ÿ