25-TL20X 20-Power Transit Level

Ordered complete kit of transit, staff and tripod. All components good quality at least for an amateur / limited surveying. Transit was cast metal well constructed and machined. All parts fit well and were tight. Same applied to aluminum tripod. Very pleased with function and quality for the price.

You will need a tripod. I bought a very nice one from DeWalt.

This is a sturdy and well-manufactured transit. The horizontal circle ostensibly reads to fifteen seconds by vernier but it's honestly easier to estimate with the eye than to use the vernier with its questionable accuracy. Horizontal scale is graduated to degrees and uses a quadrant (0-90) system rather than an azimuth (0-360) system. Vertical scale reads to degrees and has no vernier. It is slightly more difficult to read the vertical scale due to the distance between the adjustable indicator line and the scale itself. I would trust this to no more than two or three degrees accuracy. Seems to work well for leveling; a locking bar (black horizontal bar on right of picture) allows the transit to be locked in horizontal leveling position. Optics and crosshairs are of good quality, and telescope is able to focus surprisingly close. Telescope includes 100x stadia lines. Telescope does not plunge (reverse without turning around). Maximum vertical angle is about 40 degrees up or down. Base feels solid and locking and tangent screws function as intended. Pros: -Solid construction -Good leveling ability -Good horizontal scale for price -Good optics Cons: -Bad vernier -No vernier on vertical scale -Horizontal scale does not lock in place, instrument does. If scale is bumped, reading will be incorrect Overall, a good product for small construction and leveling work. Would recommend for house builders, landscapers, amateur cartographers (like myself). Would not recommend for any surveying work requiring more than about 1/1000 accuracy. Good value for its price.

So I wanted an economical theodolite for basic surveying of my lot. I really didn't want to pay $800 for an electronic instrument that was accurate to 5 seconds when this instrument is advertised that it is accurate to 15 minutes of a degree. So I ordered it. It arrived with the vertical clamping screw bent about 10 degrees off center. The fine vertical adjustment screw was bent about 30 degrees and was actually loose in the package. I don't see this as a shipping damage issue as there is no way it could of been bent to that degree ... then unscrewed from the instrument. - Second issue was that the vernier scale had marking that did not overlap nor came close to the main out degree scale, making the vernier scale impossible to use. The design and manufacture was flawed which made precise measurement of the horizontal angle impossible ... only accurate to within a degree. - However, it is economical. So I called the manufacturer and asked for them to ship me the two screws so I could at least have a functional unit. They refused, claiming it was damaged in shipping, and just told me to return it to Amazon. So I did. Even though the accuracy was really functional to just a degree, I would have kept it if if they would have replaced the 5 cent screws just because it was so reasonably priced. So I returned it and ordered a digital unit far more expensive, more than I need.

This tool is built to an acceptable quality, however the reading is complicated. A simple plastic magnifying glass would be very beneficial.

I tried ebaying a transit, and was disappointed, so I came back to this transit. The optics are clear and focus well beyond the 200 foot usable range specified. Had to do some calibrating of the leveling vial, but the instructions made it clear how to do so. The vernier is trickier, but I finally figured that out as well. An example in the documentation of a reading that required the use of the vernier would be helpful. My son and I learned how to use this in a couple of hours, both for leveling and establishing true north/south lines. The construction seems fine, didn't expect 100% metal, but there was a lot more than I thought there would be. Sturdy enough, I believe. I will treat it with respect, but I would do that in any case. Small farm, some construction anticipated. Also plan to use this for elevations, and it seems perfect for that as well. For the price, I don't see how you could go wrong.

This works well as a level. It is quick to set up. I used it for a drainage project. Have not used it for anything else. It appears to be based on a David White patent.

This is not a transit level; It is a theodolite. It is a simple tool, optical (not electronic), generic, made in China, what you see is what you get, quality is adequate. I disagree with comment of another reviewer that angle about horizontal axis is "good to 2 or 3 degrees". Not so. After carefully and attentively adjusting bubble of level indicator so that optical axis was parallel to mounting base, then setting reticule of pointer to 0 on protractor and locking pointer with set-screw provided, I found angle from horizontal could be measured to about .2 degree. Results I obtained, using tangent calculations, agreed surprisingly well with measurements not using theodolite.