CST Berger 32x SAL Automatic Level

An automatic level is one of the most important instruments used by both surveyors and civil engineers in landscape surveying.  An automatic level is used to determine the elevation of different plots of land from a given benchmark or “known elevation.”  The user of the automatic leveling system looks through the telescope to the rod across the landscape.  Here they then take the reading based on the marking on the rod held by their partner.  Since its invention, the automatic level has undergone several name changes, however remains an essential instrument to surveyors, civil engineers, and even military service branches across the globe.

Highway crews measure a distance and elevation during road construction.

The CST Berger Automatic Level provides its users with increased zoom/magnification to its sister level, the 28X.  As one might be able to tell, the 32 model provides its users with 32 times optical zoom, which is an improvement to the older 28 times magnification model.  This increased magnification is beneficial for several applications, but the most important is perhaps for long distances.  Road construction and foundations on large buildings are two scopes of use that benefit from the increased magnification.  This increased magnification increases the working range from 350 feet on the older 28x model to 400 feet on the 32x model.

CST Berger 32x SAL Automatic Level
with plumb-bob, lens cover, and manual.

This 50-foot increase in working range comes at a price, however.  For greater than $1/foot increase in range, the 32x model can be yours.  If a surveyor can tolerate setting up the tripod and level one more time per use, the 28x model provides its users with a better “bang for their buck.”

Although the increase in magnification is a selling point for the new version of the CST Berger Automatic Level, the other advancements and improvements are nearly non-existent.  The size of the machine did not decrease from the old model to the new version.  Similarly the weight of the instrument remained a steady 4.2 lbs, making it portable enough to tackle large projects such as highway surveying.  Although the weight remains the same, CST Berger increased the size of the knobs on the device.  This allows for increased usability while still maintaining the same weight.

Automatic Level with tripod and
measuring rod.

While service range remains an important factor when selecting an automatic level, another important factor is accuracy of the instrument.  It does an individual little good to shoot and record a distance when the measurement is off.  This machine provides the user 1/16 inch margin of error at 100 feet.  With that, if the user records the reading correctly, at full service range, the user may be able to determine an elevation with only ¼ inch error.  This is particularly important when surveying for the foundation for a building, as it is literally the base of the structure.  If the base of the structure is wrong, the entire building is in jeopardy. 

Both models, the 28x and 32x, include additional supplies.  These supplies include an Allen wrench, plumb bob, adjusting pin, and the ever-important instruction manual.  These additional items provide the user with more engineering applications in surveying.  

Although the modifications can be counted on one hand, the 32x automatic level allows its users the luxury of fewer set-ups during on-site surveying jobs.  All-in-all, even though the 32x level may be a newer version/model of previous editions, some might not consider it worth the extra money. 

Sources:
http://2.imimg.com/data2/KX/QX/MY-1800959/highway-survey1-250x250.jpg
http://www.engineersupply.com/surveying-equipment.aspx
http://www.engineersupply.com/surveying-equipment.aspx