What is magnification 30X in theodolite?

Answer 1

This means the telescope component brings things visually 30 times closer. Many theodolites used by various government agencies used to be pro-rated at 25X more than adequate for most tasks including trackint weather balloons- this being called a Pibal ( Pilot-Balloon) theodolite. the term pilot is somewhat misleading, as it is not a manned and controlled ( hence piloted) vehicle but an unmanned balloon that, of course follows the wind currents aloft- and moves at the same rate and direction! These instruments, while rivalled by more modern gadgetry- are still used by the Weather bureau and particularily at airports and similar sites where wind functions are important to safe operation of aircraft. I understand some modern Theodolites are l00X ( for building surveying work)- but this might be a misunderstanding with the standard Focus of l00 feet- like the various fixed focusing stops on a camera. all theodolites have adjustable focusing, in part to adapt the instrument to different lightint conditions brought about by- you guessed it, the weather ( more sophisticated one might say diminution of light caused by atmospheric refraction, switch up the lens power!