Hilger Watts Theodolite Manual _verified_ May 2026

Introduction

The Hilger Watts "M2" (Military Spec)

Often found in olive-drab carrying cases. The manual for the M2 includes sections on: hilger watts theodolite manual

11. Safety and Handling Notes

Always secure instrument on tripod; avoid sudden knocks.
Protect optical surfaces from scratches and solvents.
When working on slopes or near edges, ensure tripod stability and use tag lines or assistants as needed.
Heavy instruments: use correct manual lifting technique and two-person lifts for safety.

Ensure instrument is directly over the ground mark; use optical plummet to fine-center.

Re-level after centering as necessary; any movement affects centering and accuracy.

5. Maintenance & Care (Manual Excerpt)

Storage: Always keep in fitted wooden case; store vertically (objective down) to prevent grease migration.
Cleaning: Use only lens brush and optical tissue. Never use liquid solvents on glass circles.
Desiccator: Keep silica gel pack inside case to prevent fungus on glass circles.
Transport: Always lock vertical clamp and horizontal clamp before moving.
Lubrication: Do NOT oil external parts. Internal bearings use proprietary grease – return to service center.

The Hilger & Watts Microptic theodolite is a precision optical-mechanical instrument, featuring a transit telescope and internal glass circles for measuring vertical and horizontal angles. Key operations include precise leveling, using optical plummets for centering, and taking both face-left and face-right measurements to eliminate instrumental errors. You can find a PDF of the manual at wakanokumot.weebly.com. Microptic transit theodolite, 1954 Introduction The Hilger Watts "M2" (Military Spec) Often

B. Centering (Optical Plummet)

Look through the optical plummet eyepiece (located near the base).
Adjust focus ring.
Loosen the tribrach clamp and slide the instrument until the ground point is exactly at the crosshair center. Re-tighten.