Handheld Distance lasers

We’ve all heard the adage, “Measure twice, cut once,” which points to how important it is to get accurate measurements before beginning a project. Accurate measurements are needed by anyone who is doing a survey, doing a site layout, checking slopes or and land elevations. It also is necessary in a host of construction projects, from leveling posts and beams, to aligning walls, setting windows at uniform height. Even installing cabinets, shelves, doors, molding, and trim requires precise measurements if one hopes to only cut once and not have to shave, patch, or fill in gaps that result from measuring incorrectly.
Getting the numbers surveyors, architects, engineers, or even home owners doing their own renovation projects used to involve the help of an assistant, notes, some guesswork and several calculations. You had to take out a tape measure, find someone to hold the other end steady for you, write down the numbers, and then work out the calculations for the area. The drawback to that method was that it takes time and can be quite a bit off in accuracy. Even if the tape measure is completely accurate and has not stretched or warped with use, if is not held perfectly straight and taut, your results could be off by several inches, and the discrepancy would only grow as you came up with the figure for the area.
Now there is a far better way to get measurements within seconds and with an accuracy within just 1/16 and even 1/32 of an inch. Leica Disto Laser Distance meters are designed to take the hassle and guesswork out of measuring. Instead of rolling out a tape, you simply aim at a target, like a wall, corner of a house, or a mark you set up and press a button to get the measurement in as little as 4 seconds. It will only take seconds more to get the square footage and volume of what you measure because the device does the calculations for you.
Aside from the assurance of a true measurement and the benefit of saved time, measuring with a Leica Disto Laser Distance meter eliminates a great deal of inconvenience. You don’t have to drop everything else to take your measurement because the device can be operated with just one hand. You don’t have to write down the results because the device records it for you. You also don’t have to climb over anything or take along a flashlight to dark places you need to measure because you stay put while the laser goes the distance for you and provides its own built in light for the screen display.
There are a number of different Leica Disto Laser meters to choose from. Which one you select would depend on your needs.
For someone with a need to measure simple, indoor distances, like when taking measurements for windows, doors, and ceiling of a residence, a simple device can suffice. The Disto D2 is very affordably priced and very easy to carry with dimensions of 4.37x1.6x .9” and a weight of just over 3 ½ ounces. It has a membrane keyboard, LCD display, 10 recall values, and an accuracy within .06 inches. It can take measurements up to 195’ with a target and up to 125’ without one in daylight. It offers 2 measuring methods.
For someone with a need to measure somewhat greater distances like the exterior of house, an office layout, or a moderately sized lot, the Disto D330 offers some more options. It is somewhat bulkier, but still easy to carry at 5.0x1.9x1.1” and a weight of 5.26 ounces. It has an illuminated soft touch keyboard, LCD display, 20 recall values, and an accuracy within .04 inches. It can take measurements up to 328’ with a target and up to 225’ without one in daylight. It offers 4 measuring methods. It also has a built in level for up to 45 degrees and a tripod mount of ¼” - 20.
It also has an auto sensing positioning bracket and +/- 0.3degree accuracy to the beam and the housing. The Disto 330i offers all of the features of the 330 plus a Bluetooth computer interface, which allows for your measurements to seamlessly transfer into your computer applications.
For greater range, particularly when working on outdoor measurements, you would probably require something a bit bigger with greater range. The Disto 5’s dimensions are 5.64x2.17x1, and its weight is 6.87 ounces. It has an illuminated soft touch keyboard, color display, built in telescopic viewer, 20 recall values, and an accuracy within .06 inches. It can take measurements up to 650’ with a target and up to 400’ without one in daylight.
The Disto 5 also has a built in level for up to 45 degrees and a tripod mount of ¼” - 20. It also has an auto sensing positioning bracket and +/- 0.3degree accuracy to the beam and the housing. It offers 6+ measuring methods.
If you want to be up to any measuring challenge with the most advanced hand-held device on the market , you want the Disto 8. It is the only one of the line that can boast a 360 degree tilt sensor and 9+ measuring methods. The combination of angle and distance measurements allows you to determine distances where conventional methods fail. The horizontal distance, for example, can also be determined quickly and efficiently past obstacles or the elevation of a tree, even though there is no reflective point.
The Disto 8’s dimensions are 5.64x2.17x1, and its weight is 7.23 ounces. It has an illuminated soft touch keyboard, color display, built in telescopic viewer, 20 recall values, and an accuracy within .04 inches. It can take measurements up to 650’ with a target and up to 400’ without one in daylight. The Disto 8 also has a tripod mount of ¼” – 20 and an auto sensing positioning bracket and +/- 0.2-1 degree accuracy to the beam and .+/- .1 degrees the housing. It also syncs right into your computer with a Bluetooth interface.
The Disto 8 includes a CD with Leica DISTO™ Transfer for PC and PPC, AutoCAD® PlugIn.
Consider the types of measurements you anticipate, and select your device accordingly. Whatever your measuring needs, you can rely on Leica Disto Laser Distance meters to get the job done quickly and accurately.