DISTO Users Guide
A basic tutorial on operating all current DISTO models
A2
A3
A5
A6
A8
Measuring Distance
All DISTO Models Included
The ON/DIST button has two functions, single measurement and continuous measurements
Single Measurement
•
•
•
•
Press ON/DIST to turn on DISTO
Place base of DISTO against start point
Aim Laser at end point
Press and release ON/DIST for single
measurement
• Result is the distance from BASE of DISTO to
laser point on object
Measurement and
Power button
location. All units.
Continuous Measurement
• Press ON/DIST to turn on DISTO
• Press and hold ON/DIST for approximately 2
seconds until DISTO sounds a pulsating beep
then release
• DISTO continuously updates display with the
current distance and the Min/Max distance is
recorded in the display. (DISTO A2 does not
display min/max info)
• Press and release ON/DIST to hold last
reading and exit this mode
A3, A5, A6, A8 Typical Display
Measuring Area and Volume
All DISTO Models Included
The
button has two functions, area (L X W) and volume (L X W X H)
Measuring Area and Volume (feet, inches, meters)
• With DISTO turned on and laser active, press the
1 time to enter area
mode or 2 times to enter volume mode. Visually confirm mode by viewing
the square (area) or box ( volume) in top left corner of DISTO display.
• Place DISTO against one wall and measure to the opposite wall for length.
Immediately follow with width for square units or width and height for volume
units. Always measure height last in the volume mode.
• DISTO will calculate the total area/volume units and display the result.
Note: Press the CLEAR button if you make a mistake to clear the last
measurement taken and then proceed again.
SPECIAL FEATURE DISTO Models A5, A6, A8. Upon completion of a volume measurement
press and hold the
button until the DISTO beeps and recalculates the results to display the
following: (This is why it is important to take the height measurment last!)
9 Perimeter: ideal for baseboards for instance
9 Wall area: perfect for plastering and painting
9 Area: ideal e.g. for flooring, architecture and real estate
9 Volume: important e.g. for air-conditioning and real estate appraisers
A5, A6, A8 Typical Display
Pythagoras: Remote Measurements
DISTO Models A5, A6, A8 Only. DISTO A2, A3 do not have this ability.
The
button has 3 functions on the A5/A6 and 5 on the A8
Two Point Pythagoras
Three Point Pythagoras
Vertical or Horizontal
Vertical or Horizontal
4.
3.
3.
2.
4.
90°
90°
1.
1.
2.
3.
1.
1.
90°
2.
3.
90°
2.
• Press Pythagoras button 1X on the
A5/A6 and 3X on the A8
• Measure angle #1
• Measure RIGHT angle #2
• Unit calculates distance #3
Symbol in
DISTO
Display
• Press Pythagoras button 2X on A5/A6 and
4X on A8. See display for confirmation
• Measure angle #1
• Measure RIGHT angle #2
• Measure angle #3
• Unit calculates distance #4
This also works on the ceiling to calculate joist spacing, HVAC, electrical, and plumbing!
Symbol in
DISTO
Display
Pythagoras: Partial Height/Width
from remote locations
DISTO Models A5, A6, A8 Only. DISTO A2, A3 do not have this ability.
• Press Pythagoras button 3X on the
A5/A6 or 5X on the A8
• Measure angle #1
• Measure angle #2
• Measure right angle #3
• Unit calculates partial distance
Symbol in
DISTO
Display
1.
2.
3.
90°
90°
1.
2.
Get the partial height/width with three measurements!
3.
A8 Unique Functions
DISTO A8 can be
used solely as an
electronic level if
desired and displays
the units on the
display. IN/FT in
this case
Inclination Measurements
• Degrees
• % Grade
• Inches/Feet
Viewfinder with Crosshairs
• Up to 3X
• Adjustable contrast
• Ideal for outdoor use
Additional Vertical Pythagoras Measurements
• Single tilt using incline function
• Double tilt using incline function
• Can now measure tall objects that have no reflectivity
A8 Vertical Measurements Using View
Finder and Inclination
Challenge: Measure true horizontal distance over obstructions
• Press Pythagoras button 1X
• Measure to object with laser
• Optional, use viewfinder with
cross hairs to locate object
• Results are the true horizontal
distance
Viewfinder
Button
1X
er
Las
Result
A8 Vertical Measurements Using View Finder
and Inclination, Method #2
Challenge: Measure an object where it is impossible to receive laser
reflection from tall object
Viewfinder
Button.
Press again to
change power
up to 3X
2X
Vie
w
Result
fin
de
ra
nd
An
gle
• Press Pythagoras button 2X
• Activate viewfinder and target object
onscreen.
• Press and release the DIST button.
DISTO will lock in the degrees of angle
if no reflection from laser is available
• Rotate DISTO to base of object and
take a direct distance measurement.
You can use the viewfinder again if
viewing the laser is difficult with your
eye
Lase
r
TRIPOD MOUNTING HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
A8 Partial Vertical Measurements Using View
Finder and Inclination
Result
Viewfinder
Button.
• Press Pythagoras button 2X
• Activate viewfinder and target object
onscreen or use the laser dot if visible
• Press and release the DIST button. DISTO
will lock in the degrees of angle if no
reflection from laser is available
• Rotate DISTO to lower point and take a
direct distance measurement. You can use
r
se
a
the viewfinder again if viewing the laser is
L
ct
e
difficult with your eye
ir
Press again to
change power
up to 3X
2X
ew
Vi
r
de
n
fi
e
gl
n
,A
or
D
er
Las
TRIPOD MOUNTING HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
DISTO FAQ’s
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
WHAT IS THE ZERO POINT OF THE DISTO AND HOW DO I CHANGE IT? All DISTO models measure from the back of the unit as default.
You change the reference or “Zero point” by pressing the reference button on the bottom left corner just above the CLEAR/OFF button. All
Disto models provide a visual reference to the active reference point in the left side of the display.
WHAT DO THE PLUS AND MINUS BUTTONS DO? These buttons allow you to add and subtract straight line, square units and volume units.
You can not add or subtract units of different types. ie. area minus volume will not work. The A5, A6, A8 incorporate the EQUALS button just
like on your calculator. To operate, take a measurement, press the PLUS button, measure the next length, press PLUS or EQUALS for the
total. You can continuously add multiple measurements as well.
WHAT DOES THE TIMER BUTTON DO? The timer allows the DISTO to automatically take a measurement from 5-60 seconds in the future. It
is generally used on long distance measurements were the DISTO is mounted on a tripod and any movement of the DISTO will move the laser
off of the target. The timer button also allows you to position the DISTO in a difficult location either manually or mounted on a pole without
having to manually press the DIST key to record a measurement. Press once for 5 seconds or hold to scroll up to 60. Press the DIST key and
the countdown begins. DISTO beeps on the last 5 seconds as an alert to measurement.
WHY AM I HAVING TROUBLE GETTING ACCURATE MEASUREMENTS USING THE PYTHAGRAS FUNCTION? For the most accurate
measurements you need to ensure the following. First, always make sure you are measuring on a flat surface and on the same horizontal or
vertical line or plane. If the surface is not flat or you measure on a different plane, the lines are then artificially increased or decreased resulting
in inaccurate results. Second, make sure the right angle portion of the measurement is indeed a right angle. The DISTO can make use of the
continuous measurement function to determine maximum and minimum (the shortest point between you and the object is a right angle) lengths.
See the instruction manual for this technique. Lastly, the DISTO needs to rotate around the active reference point selected. The most accurate
results are achieved by mounting the DISTO on a tripod. If that is not available, hold the DISTO against a stationary object or against your
chest and rotate the DISTO, not your body.
HOW DO I CHANGE THE UNITS? On the DISTO A2 and A3 press the UNITS button until a beep is sounded and the units change. You will
have to repeat this process to cycle through the various modes. On the DISTO A5, A6, A6, press the MENU to enter and toggle through the
options. Press the EQUALS button to enter the mode and PLUS or MINUS to cycle the available units. Press the EQUALS button again to
enter the selected units as default. All measurements in the memory will also change to reflect the new unit of measure.
DOES MY DISTO HAVE A MEMORY? The DISTO A3, A5, A6, A8 have a stacked memory and contain the last 19-30 measurements
depending on your model. Press the MEMORY button 1X on the A3 and 2X on the A5, A6, A8 followed by the PLUS button to cycle through
the last measurements taken.
CAN I USE ITEMS IN THE MEMORY IN NEW CALCULATIONS? Yes, find the item you want in the memory and then press the EQUAL
button on the A5, A6, A8 to bring the value into the display at the active location. You can pull in straight line measurements to area, volume,
and Pythagoras functions. You an also add, and subtract units of the same type.
WHAT DOES INFO 255 MEAN? Your DISTO is not able to “See” the laser and calculate a distance. You are either too far, failed to hit a
target, or the surface has no reflective ability. Move closer, confirm your aim, or, consider using a reflective target plate for long distance shots.
WHAT MAKES A GOOD TARGET? Leica has target plates available to purchase. At shorter distances a light colored piece of paper can also
work. Generally, anything that is reflective or more reflective than the surrounding area.
WHAT SURFACES ARE DIFFICULT TO MEASURE? Tree bark, asphalt shingles, carpet, glass.