Talk:Dumpy level

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Is "Dumpy level" a nickname or the name you read in the catalogue? "Automatic level" seems more appropriate to me, but it could be a regional thing.--Commander Keane 08:17, 11 November 2005 (UTC)

  • It's certainly not regional. A quick google search should reveal that it is used in all English-speaking countries. Luigizanasi 08:30, 11 November 2005 (UTC)
  • It's an older term for the original style of level, depending on the amount of gray you have in your beard will depend on your familiarity with the term ;-) Automatic levels are a modern, easier to use version which have basically replaced the dumpy. *Sigh* I remember.... I've expanded on it in the article — Graibeard 10:51, 11 November 2005 (UTC)
  • If my memory serves me right, the old dumpy level used to reverse the image. That is you would see the staff upside down. I have been told to stop using the term Dumpy, when the correct usage is Auto level. This is in Australia. Old habits die hard.billbeee 20:58, 5 March 2007 (UTC)
  • Concur with Graibeard' on dumpy level term, but can severely expand on it. Dumpy level was actually a very specific design. There were also 'Y' levels, aka Wye Level, Convertible Y levels, tilting levels and precision tilting levels. (now counting my grey hairs..). I also have backing source info in the form of surveying equipment catalogs, some as old as 1902. I think the dumpy level needs to be limited to just that form of level. I also feel that a header or 'break out' page that will refer to the specific types of level. With respect to a dumpy level reversing the image. Not all of them do, but the older the instrument is, the more likely that the image is inverting. The reason is somewhat involved.Ucodegen 05:57, 23 August 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Transit vs level

This is what I've always heard called a transit. Is transit a misnomer?

Yes. See the article on Theodolite for a description of the transit. Briefly, a transit measures angles while a dumpy or builder's level measures, well, levels. Luigizanasi 01:24, 22 June 2006 (UTC)
  • This needs a slight correction. There are such devices as "transit levels", whose angle resolution is very poor and may only have a horizontal circle. There is a bit of continuum around the Convertible Y levels to Builder's TransitsUcodegen 05:57, 23 August 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Inclusion of 'Usage'

While I don't dispute the factuality of Billbeee's section on checking levels, I don't believe that this should be included in Wikipedia. Point 4 of Wikipedia is not an indiscriminate collection of information instructs that articles should not include "how-to"s and therefore I side with Veinor in removing this section. This information may be more appropriate in a Wikibook. AuroraD 20:18, 6 March 2007 (UTC) Sorry guys, my mistake, no more how-to's.billbeee 20:44, 6 March 2007 (UTC)

[edit] dumpy level

blah,blah,blah —Preceding unsigned comment added by 59.93.24.133 (talk) 10:29, 20 October 2007 (UTC)