Sokkia DT Series Theodolite
W-9 and vendor pack with every quote
Shipped direct from the manufacturer
This is an angle-only instrument, not a total station: six variants, 5 to 9 arc-second accuracy, standard or laser-pointer equipped, and every one uses the same optical, not laser, plummet.
01
This is a theodolite: it measures angles only, and Sokkia describes no distance function for it anywhere
A theodolite measures horizontal and vertical angles by direct sighting through a telescope. It does not measure distance. Sokkia's own product page, brochure and Quick Manual describe no EDM (electronic distance measurement), no reflectorless ranging and no onboard data collection. Sokkia itself files this line under Theodolites, a category kept separate on its own site from Manual Total Stations and Motorized/Robotic instruments. If you arrived here searching for a total station, this is not it. Six variants are sold here, and every one shares this limit.
02
Every variant, laser models included, uses an optical plummet, not a laser one
A plummet centers the instrument over a ground point before you begin work. All six variants share the same built-in optical plummet: 3x magnification, 0.5 m minimum focus, described as one unsplit row in Sokkia's own spec table. The L in DT550L, DT750L and DT950LG names a separate laser pointer at the objective lens, used for sighting and alignment down-range. It plays no part in plumbing over the ground point. If you need a laser plummet specifically, none of these six variants has one.
03
Six variants divide two ways: three accuracy classes, and laser pointer or none
The family covers three accuracy classes, 5, 7 and 9 arc-seconds, each sold as a standard model or with a laser pointer added. DT550 and DT550L hold 5 arc-seconds, the tightest of the three. DT750 and DT750L hold 7. DT950G and DT950LG hold 9, the loosest and lightest of the three pairs. This listing prices against the DT550 variant by default; the selector on this page carries the current figure for each of the six. Tilt compensation, an automatic correction for small out-of-level errors, ships on the 5 and 7 arc-second models only. The 9 arc-second pair does not have it. The tribrach is the base plate that levels and locks the instrument to the tripod. It is detachable on the 5 and 7 arc-second models, and a fixed type on the 9 arc-second pair.
04
Sokkia's own web page and its own brochure disagree on battery life, and we show both rather than pick one
On four AA alkaline batteries, theodolite only, Sokkia's current product page states about 230 hours. Sokkia's separate downloadable brochure, the identical configuration, states about 250 hours. Both are genuine current Sokkia publications, and neither is corrected here in favor of the other. On the optional BDC71 Li-ion battery pack, theodolite only, Sokkia's product page states about 300 hours, corroborated by two independent dealers. Sokkia's own brochure carries a table row for that same figure, headed Operating Time (BDC71). That row has no hours number in it at all, confirmed by rendering the brochure page as an image rather than trusting a failed text extraction. Sokkia's marketing copy separately claims up to 30 workdays of operation on either power source, without stating what a workday assumes.
05
Twelve items ship as standard, per Sokkia's own Quick Manual checklist
Sokkia's Quick Manual lists twelve standard items. The main unit, a DB-80 battery holder, lens cap, tool pouch, precision screwdriver and lens brush are six of them. A hexagonal wrench set, adjusting pin, wiping cloth, the Quick Manual itself, a carrying case and a carrying strap round out the list. Dry batteries are sold separately, and the manual says so explicitly. The tribrach ships attached to the main unit. The optional BDC71 Li-ion battery pack and its charger are not part of the standard package on any of the six variants.
06
Sokkia's brochure lists a plumb bob as optional kit; its own Quick Manual never mentions one
Two of Sokkia's own documents disagree on the kit. The brochure's short Kit Components list names a plumb bob, marked optional, alongside the instrument, tool kit, lens cloth and carry case. The Quick Manual's own twelve-item checklist, the one used above, does not mention a plumb bob anywhere. We have not resolved which list is current, and we are not guessing on your order. Call +1 888 850 6533 and we will confirm exactly what ships before you buy.
07 FOR UNIVERSITIES, COLLEGES AND GOVERNMENT AGENCIES
My Surveying Direct accepts purchase orders from universities, colleges and government agencies
My Surveying Direct is an authorized Sokkia reseller, and every DT50 variant ships direct from the manufacturer. Sokkia's own Theodolites category page carries no discontinuation notice for this line as of our last check. That is what the page currently shows, not a guarantee the line stays in production. Call us before you order, +1 888 850 6533. We will confirm current stock and exactly which of the six variants fits your work.
Checkout above. Financing available with Affirm.
Institutions only: universities, colleges and government agencies.
Attached automatically.
Send the certificate once, we hold it on file.
On request, for committee approval.
One person, from quote to delivery.
REFERENCE
Specifications
Angle measurement
| Method | Rotary absolute encoder |
| Detecting | Horizontal: 1 side, Vertical: 1 side |
| Accuracy (ISO 17123-3:2001) | 5", 7" or 9" by variant: DT550/DT550L 5", DT750/DT750L 7", DT950G/DT950LG 9". This listing's three accuracies |
| Minimum reading (selectable) | 5" model: 1" (0.0002 gon/0.01 mil) or 5" (0.001 gon/0.1 mil). 7" model: 5" (0.002 gon/0.05 mil) or 10" (0.005 gon/0.1 mil). 9" model: 10" (0.002 gon/0.05 mil) or 20" (0.005 gon/0.1 mil) |
| Distance measurement | None. This instrument measures angles only: no EDM, reflectorless ranging or onboard data-collection function is described on Sokkia's own product page, brochure or Quick Manual for this product. |
Tilt compensation
| Availability | Included on the 5" and 7" models (DT550, DT550L, DT750, DT750L). Not included on the 9" models (DT950G, DT950LG) |
| Type | Automatic vertical compensator |
| Range of compensation | +/- 3' (+/- 0.0555 gon) |
Telescope and sighting
| Length | 149 mm on the standard models, 152 mm on the laser (L) models |
| Aperture | 45 mm |
| Magnification | 30x per Sokkia's own brochure specification table, a single value covering both DT50 and DT50L. Sokkia's own body copy on the same brochure describes 'two magnification choices of 26x and 30x' without saying which model gets which, and its specification table carries no 26x row |
| Image / Field of view | Erect, 1 degree 30' (26 m/1,000 m) |
| Resolving power | 2.5" |
| Minimum focus | 0.9 m on the standard models, 1.0 m on the laser (L) models |
| Stadia ratio / constant | 100 / 0 |
Plummet and laser pointer
| Optical plummet | An optical, not laser, plummet is built in on every variant: 3x magnification, 0.5 m minimum focus. None of the six variants sold here has a laser plummet. |
| Laser pointer, DT550L/DT750L/DT950LG only | Coaxial red laser diode (633 nm), Class 2, maximum output 0.6 mW, beam range about 50 m (164 ft) in daylight. A sighting/alignment aid at the objective lens, separate from the optical plummet |
| Laser safety | Sokkia's own Quick Manual instructs never intentionally pointing the beam at another person, never looking directly into it, and seeking immediate medical attention from a licensed ophthalmologist after any eye exposure; the laser is live whenever the instrument is powered on and continues to be emitted even after the laser-pointer function is switched off unless the output is turned off directly |
Display and operation
| Display unit(s) | 2 sides (both faces) on the 5" and 7" models. 1 side only on the 9" models (DT950G, DT950LG) |
| Control panel | Backlit LCD, five-button interface, horizontal/vertical angle display, slope by percent |
| Sensitivity of levels | Circular level 10'/2 mm; plate level 30"/2 mm |
| Tribrach | Detachable on DT550, DT750, DT550L and DT750L. Fixing type on DT950G and DT950LG (Sokkia's Quick Manual separately describes a Centering-type tribrach on a DT950F variant, which is not part of this listing's six SKUs) |
Power
| Supply mode | 4 AA or Li-ion power: four AA dry cells, or an optional BDC71 Li-ion battery pack (not standard). |
| Operating time, 4 AA alkaline (theodolite only) | About 230 hours, per the current Sokkia product page's own Brief Specs table. Sokkia's separate downloadable brochure states about 250 hours for the same 4 AA alkaline, theodolite-only configuration. Both are Sokkia's own published figures. |
| Operating time, BDC71 Li-ion (theodolite only) | About 300 hours, per the current Sokkia product page's own Brief Specs table. Sokkia's separate downloadable brochure carries an 'Operating Time (BDC71)' table row with no hours figure in it at all. |
| Marketing claim | 'Up to 30 workdays of operation in Angle Measurement Mode' on either power source, per the brochure's own body copy |
Environmental and mechanical
| Ingress protection | IP66 (JIS C 0920:2003) |
| Operating temperature range | -20 to 50 degrees C (-4 to 122 degrees F). No direct sunlight at temperatures of 50 degrees C (122 degrees F), per Sokkia's own footnote |
| Storage temperature range | -30 to 60 degrees C (-22 to 140 degrees F), no condensation |
| Size, with handle | 5" and 7" models: 173 (W) x 181 (D) x 318 (H) mm. 9" models: 173 (W) x 174 (D) x 318 (H) mm |
| Weight, with batteries and battery holder | 5" and 7" models: 4.1 kg (9.04 lb). 9" models: 4.0 kg (8.82 lb) |
Ordering
| Dealer status | Authorized reseller |
| Purchase orders | Accepted from universities, colleges and government agencies |
| Shipping | Shipped direct from the manufacturer |
| Speak to us | +1 888 850 6533 |