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Overview
The David White L6-20 Meridian Level TENTHS Package (Model 44-8824-1T) delivers professional-grade leveling capabilities for contractors, site engineers, and civil works teams who demand precision and reliability. This complete surveying solution pairs the proven L6-20 automatic level with a 13-foot decimal tenths graduated rod and sturdy aluminum tripod, providing everything needed for accurate elevation measurements, site grading, and foundation work right out of the box.
Built on David White's legacy of optical precision, the L6-20 features a compensator-stabilized line of sight that automatically adjusts for minor tripod movements, ensuring consistent accuracy even in challenging field conditions. The tenths-graduated rod makes this package particularly valuable for projects requiring metric-compatible decimal measurements or coordination with engineering plans that specify elevations in decimal feet rather than traditional feet-and-inches format. At $299.47, this package represents exceptional value for professionals seeking a dependable leveling system without compromising on measurement quality or durability.
Key Specifications
- Magnification: 20x optical power for clear rod readings at extended distances
- Accuracy: ±1/32 inch per 100 feet of sight distance under standard conditions
- Compensator Range: ±15 arc minutes automatic leveling adjustment
- Minimum Focus: 18 inches, enabling close-range measurements and interior work
- Objective Lens: 36mm diameter for superior light gathering and image brightness
- Stadia Ratio: 100:1 for optical distance measurement capabilities
- Tripod: Aluminum construction with adjustable legs and 5/8 x 11-inch mounting thread
- Rod Graduation: Decimal tenths (0.01 foot increments) on 13-foot extending rod
- Protection Rating: Dust-resistant optical chamber with weather-resistant housing
- Weight: Level body approximately 3.5 lbs; complete package under 15 lbs for easy transport
What's in the Kit
- David White L6-20 Meridian Automatic Level – 20x magnification optical instrument with compensator stabilization and horizontal circle for angle measurement
- 13-Foot Tenths Graduated Leveling Rod – Extending aluminum rod with decimal graduations reading to 0.01-foot precision, featuring clear numbering and durable finish
- Aluminum Tripod – Professional-grade tripod with adjustable leg locks, pointed shoes for ground penetration, and standard 5/8 x 11 mounting thread
- Padded Carrying Case – Protective case with foam interior to safeguard the level during transport and storage
- Adjustment Tools – Hex keys and adjustment pins for field calibration and maintenance
- Instruction Manual – Comprehensive setup, operation, and care guide with leveling procedures and troubleshooting information
- Lens Cloth – Microfiber cleaning cloth for maintaining optical clarity
Job Applications
- Site Grading and Excavation – Establish consistent elevation references across construction sites, ensuring proper drainage slopes and meeting grade specifications. The tenths graduations simplify calculations when working from civil drawings that specify elevations in decimal format, eliminating conversion errors between feet-inches and decimal measurements.
- Foundation and Concrete Work – Verify formwork elevations, set foundation footings to precise heights, and ensure level concrete pads for buildings, slabs, and equipment pads. The 20x magnification allows accurate readings from safe distances away from active concrete placement operations.
- Utility Installation – Grade trenches for water, sewer, and drainage lines to achieve proper flow slopes. The decimal rod readings integrate seamlessly with engineering plans that specify pipe invert elevations in decimal feet, reducing field calculation time and preventing costly slope errors.
- Landscape Construction – Create level terraces, grade sports fields, establish irrigation system slopes, and verify hardscape elevations. The automatic compensator maintains accuracy even when setup on uneven ground, while the lightweight package allows easy repositioning around landscaping obstacles.
- Building Layout and As-Built Surveys – Establish benchmark elevations, verify floor levels during construction, and document existing site conditions. The 18-inch minimum focus distance enables elevation checks in confined spaces and interior applications where traditional leveling instruments cannot focus.
- Road and Parking Lot Construction – Set grade stakes for paving operations, verify subgrade elevations, and ensure proper cross-slopes for drainage. The tenths rod accelerates staking when working from highway plans that universally employ decimal station and elevation systems.
Compatible Accessories
- Grade Rod Tenths Target – Sliding red-and-white target that clips onto the leveling rod for improved visibility at long distances and bright sunlight conditions
- Rod Bipod Support – Folding bipod that stabilizes the leveling rod for one-person operation and reduces reading errors from rod movement
- Elevating Tripod – Premium tripod with center column fine-adjustment for precise instrument height control without leg repositioning
- Digital Level Sensor – Electronic attachment that converts rod readings to digital display with data logging capability
- Laser Detector/Receiver – Clamp-on sensor for use with laser levels, allowing this package to integrate into mixed surveying workflows
- Replacement Lenses and Filters – Protective objective lens covers, polarizing filters for glare reduction, and replacement eyepiece components
- Heavy-Duty Transit Case – Wheeled hard case for transporting complete package in vehicle storage compartments
Related Guides
- How to Set Up and Calibrate Automatic Levels
- Reading Decimal Tenths Leveling Rods: A Complete Guide
- Choosing the Right Leveling Equipment for Your Construction Project
- Optical Level Maintenance and Troubleshooting Tips
FAQ
- What's the difference between tenths and feet-inch graduated rods?
- Tenths rods display measurements in decimal feet (example: 5.47 feet) with graduations typically at 0.01-foot intervals, while traditional feet-inch rods show measurements in feet, inches, and fractions (example: 5 feet 5⅝ inches). Tenths rods eliminate the need to convert between formats when working from engineering plans, civil drawings, and highway plans that specify elevations in decimal feet. They also simplify mathematical calculations since you can add, subtract, and calculate slopes using simple decimal arithmetic rather than converting between feet and inches.
- How far can I accurately read the rod with the L6-20's 20x magnification?
- Under good visibility conditions, the L6-20's 20x magnification allows clear rod readings at distances up to 300 feet, though optimal accuracy is achieved within 200 feet. The effective range depends on lighting conditions, atmospheric clarity, and the operator's vision. For maximum precision work requiring the stated ±1/32 inch per 100 feet accuracy, keeping sight distances under 150 feet and balancing foresight and backsight distances equally is recommended.
- Does the automatic compensator require calibration or maintenance?
- The compensator is a gravity-based pendulum system that generally maintains calibration through normal use. However, after transportation, drops, or rough handling, the two-peg test should be performed to verify accuracy. This simple field procedure takes about 15 minutes and determines if the compensator requires adjustment. The included adjustment tools allow field calibration, though most users find the L6-20 maintains factory accuracy for extended periods with normal care and handling.
- Can this level be used for indoor construction applications?
- Yes, the L6-20's 18-inch minimum focus distance makes it well-suited for interior work including setting door frames, verifying floor flatness, installing suspended ceilings, and leveling interior equipment pads. The compact size allows setup in confined spaces, and the automatic compensator works regardless of whether you're on a concrete floor or wooden subfloor. The tenths rod is particularly useful for interior work when coordinating with architectural drawings that specify finish floor elevations in decimal format.
