Back in 1908, when Warren-Knight was just getting started, analog or manual instruments were the norm, and, while dependency on electronic instruments has grown exponentially in the last 100+ years, the surveyor compass remains on the most fundamental and reliable instruments for many tasks, including the following. Land Surveying As the name suggests, the surveyor's compass has long been one of the most important [...]
While GPS, depth finders, sonar, and radar have allowed navigators to traverse the world’s waterways more safely and accurately than ever before, analog navigation instruments are essential tools that have never truly disappeared from the scene. From compasses to alidades to protractors, these mechanical tools offer precision, reliability, and independence from electronic systems. While it might seem easier to simply rely on more modern [...]
Navigating the vast, open waters of our world's oceans has always required a great deal of skill and the use of specific, specialized tools. One of these tools, the marine alidade, has played an instrumental role in oceanic expeditions for centuries. Despite the influx of high-tech navigational tools, the marine alidade holds its place as a vital component of maritime navigation. Let’s explore the [...]
For more than 115 years, Warren Knight has been a leader in the production of quality navigation equipment and surveying equipment. In fact, many of our “antique” navigation instruments and survey tools can still be put to use today. Let’s take a quick look back in time and revisit the early 20th century and what types of tools were in use before radar and sonar [...]
Calibration equipment plays a critical role in ensuring the accuracy and reliability of various tools and devices used across a multitude of industries. From manufacturing and aerospace to healthcare and scientific research, precise measurements are often crucial for safety, quality control, and regulatory compliance. Calibration equipment allows us to verify and adjust these measurements, ensuring that instruments are operating within their specified parameters. Inaccuracies, [...]
The collimator is a device that gets its name from the Latin word “collimare,” a verb that basically means to make parallel or to bring into line. At Warren Knight, we produce several different types of collimators, but before we talk about our own products, we thought it might be interesting to share some facts about these devices and collimation in general. Collimators Collimate [...]
If you remember back to those junior high or high school geometry lessons, you might remember using a three-arm protractor and wondering how learning geometry could ever be helpful in your future life. Well, there was a reason why the three-arm protractor and other protractors were devised and this handy tool actually can be used for many important tasks, including the following. 1. Photogrammetry [...]
Ah, the versatile Jacob staff. At first glance, it appears to be a simple staff, but from a historical point of view the Jacob staff has been a handy tool for surveying and navigation. It’s actually kind of a little wonder of trigonometry, which is one of our favorite subjects here at Warren Knight.Early versions of the Jacob staff were believed to have been invented [...]
Who doesn’t love an alidade? We sure do, and not only do we sell a high-quality, military-grade telescopic alidade, we also enjoy spreading some information about alidades and the many tasks they help professionals accomplish every day. Surveying Tasks Telescopic alidades have been used by surveyors since the early 19th century. Along with a plane table, these two tools were essential for mapping and [...]
While a cool pair of military-grade binoculars might be a fun addition to your hunting or survival gear, if you want quality binoculars, military-type binoculars aren’t necessarily the only option to consider. In fact, understanding a bit about these optical instruments can help you determine which type is truly the best for your needs. Binoculars By The Numbers When you purchase military-grade binoculars or any [...]