What theodolite?

[d b]

(09-24-2014 05:25 AM)sleibson Wrote:  Yes, HP's Civil Engineering Division (CED) in Loveland made surveyor tools from the early 1970s to 1983. See the September, 1980 HP Journal for details. (http://www.amerisurv.com/docs/HewlettPackardJournal.pdf)
--Steve

(09-23-2014 09:24 PM)ColinJDenman Wrote:  Didn't HP make their own?

Steve;
Good find.
For about a five year period centred around your linked article; HP made what was arguably the most advanced and precise instrument on Earth, the 3820. That's quite a run, considering the lifetimes of other best-in-the-world electronic devices these days. Coupled with it's 3851A data collector it was the stuff of surveyors dreams. The Wild T-2000 that finally topped it wasn't a much better gun, but it was cheaper and lighter, with at least equally sweet glass. With five years to work on it; the data collector for the Wild was no more modern and they never have got the hang of that. Folks still buy a third party unit like the TDS from former HP employees (or that garbage Carlson) for whatever this weeks top of the line shooter is.
BTW: We met at the HP 35 anniversary party on Page Mill Rd. Good to hear from you.