Can anyone tell me about this Theodolite?

  • Can anyone tell me about this Theodolite?

    Posted by Savvyk1986 on May 11, 2023 at 3:12 pm

    I found this in my shed when I moved into my house, it was left by the previous owner. I don’t want to throw it out because it’s pretty cool. It looks old, can anyone tell me about it or what I should do with it?

     

     

    kevin-hines replied 12 months ago 3 Members · 4 Replies
  • 4 Replies
  • kevin-hines

    kevin-hines

    Member
    May 11, 2023 at 4:57 pm

    It is an antique, like most of us on this site.  The value of the instrument is subjective, meaning it depends on why one would want the instrument.  For me, it wouldn’t be very valuable since I have 2, and their only purpose is to be a time witness in my mini-museum of survey instruments.  To someone that cut their teeth turning angles on that instrument would value it higher than a 20 year old that has only seen them in a book.

    For someone not in the surveying, mapping, or navigation world, it would be an interesting paper weight.

    If you are looking to get rid of it, you can try to sell it on ebay & clear $40 or you might try contacting a local surveyor that may put a higher value on it. Another option is to donate it to the local college or university, provided they have a civil/survey class or two, and write the donation off of your taxes.

    Nice find.  I hope you enjoy looking up the history of the unit.

     

  • Savvyk1986

    Savvyk1986

    Member
    May 11, 2023 at 5:06 pm

    @kevin-hines Thank you! Do you have any idea what decade this is from? I’m having a hard time finding dates. Also, I’m seeing this same model selling for $150 and up. Does that seem reasonable?

  • paden-cash

    paden-cash

    Member
    May 11, 2023 at 5:38 pm

    Probably a David White Universal 8300 series.  They make nice shelf candy but probably aren’t worth more than $150 on the market.

  • kevin-hines

    kevin-hines

    Member
    May 12, 2023 at 3:58 pm

    @savvyk1986 

    I defer to the wisdom of @paden-cash.

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