Thread: Digital range meter/finder

There are a few good ones out there & a few shockers. What budget did you have? what features did you want? (other tahn making coffees) Is it fo indoor or outdoor use?

The most popular by far is the leica d2 the features are listed below for you

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=487 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>Leica DISTO™ D2

The small partner - for indoor applications </TD></TR><TR><TD bgColor=#cccccc></TD></TR><TR><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=468 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top width=200></TD><TD width=15></TD><TD vAlign=top width=253><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=253 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>Measuring distances and calculating results with the smallest laser distance meter of the world.</TD></TR><TR><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD class=text>The compact and handy base model was specifically designed for indoor applications. Shortcut keys for addition, subtraction, area and volume calculation make measuring fast and very reliable. The last 10 measurements are also stored. As with all Leica laser distance meters, the laser dot is clearly visible. You can always see your targeting point, even if the target object is in a hard to access area. Leica DISTO™ D2 – you will never use a measuring tape again!

</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD><TABLE cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=1 width="75%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD></TD><TD></TD><TD vAlign=top>Quick and easy
Measure distances at the touch of a button and calculate areas or volumes.
</TD></TR><TR><TD></TD><TD></TD><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD> </TD><TD></TD><TD vAlign=top>Measure from edges or corners
With the flip-out end-piece you are equipped for any measuring situation.
</TD></TR><TR><TD></TD><TD></TD><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top align=left> </TD><TD vAlign=top align=left></TD><TD vAlign=top align=left>Small and handy
Thanks to its ergonomic and compact design with soft grip, the Leica DISTO™ D2 sits securely in your hand and fits into any pocket.</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top align=left></TD><TD vAlign=top align=left></TD><TD vAlign=top align=left></TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top align=left></TD><TD vAlign=top align=left></TD><TD vAlign=top align=left>Clear display
The results are shown on a 3-line display. The illuminated display is easily readable, even in the dark.</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top align=left></TD><TD vAlign=top align=left></TD><TD vAlign=top align=left></TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top align=left></TD><TD vAlign=top align=left></TD><TD vAlign=top align=left>Simply clever
Minimum / maximum measurements, tracking and storage of results makes your work much easier.</TD></TR><TR><TD></TD><TD></TD><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD></TD><TD></TD><TD vAlign=top> Included items - practical and clever:

• holster: stows everything away neatly
• hand loop: secures the instrument at all heights

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<TABLE style="BORDER-COLLAPSE: collapse" borderColor=#cccccc cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=2 width=468 border=1><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top align=left bgColor=#e6e6e6>Features </TD><TD vAlign=top align=left bgColor=#e6e6e6>Your advantages </TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top align=left>Measuring range
0.05 m up to 60 m;
typ. accuracy ± 1.5 mm</TD><TD vAlign=top align=left>Precise, fast and reliable indoor measurements</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top align=left>Shortcut keys</TD><TD vAlign=top align=left>Easy-to-use and rapid access to frequently used functions</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top align=left>Illuminated 3-line display</TD><TD vAlign=top align=left>Measured values can be read even in the dark</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top align=left>Flip-out end-piece</TD><TD vAlign=top align=left>Measure from edges or corners</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top align=left>Stake out function</TD><TD vAlign=top align=left>Stake-out equal distances</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top align=left>Time delay release</TD><TD vAlign=top align=left>Measure without shake</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top align=left>Simple Pythagorean functions</TD><TD vAlign=top align=left>Indirect height and width measurements for inaccessible positions</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top align=left>IP 54</TD><TD vAlign=top align=left>Splash and dust proof</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
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If the Leica DISTO™ D2 is anywhere near as good as their survey gear then I recon it would be a good bit of kit. Just my opinion.

Was about to start a new thread regarding laser measures & noticed this one, so thought this would be a good place to start. I note that the 1st thread mentions the Bosch with it's shortcomings being distance, & the Leica being a quality item. I went into one of the bigger power tool shops in Melbourne the other day with the specific purpose of buying a laser measure, & came out empty handed. I inquired about the Bosch DLE50 & was told that it was not recommended for outdoor use, even though the sales hype shows a pythagoras measurement being taken on the front of a house? Anyhow, the salesperson & I went outside the shop in sunlight with a Leica Disto D3, even though at $550 was somewhat over my budget, and found that the red sighting dot was unable to be seen on objects at 40 to 50 metres away, I was prepared to shell out for the tool if it delivered the goods which sadly it didn't. The salesperson then showed me the Leica Disto D5, which has a live view screen that is imposed with cross hairs that you line up on your measurement point, this method obviously does the trick, but at some $760 was way out of my budget. So, my question is does anyone know of a sub $500 laser measure that will show a recognisable dot at 50 to 70 metres in sunlight, or is this just pie in the sky stuff??

You might want to try the a5 this was made for outdoor use & should be a little cheaper as it was replaced by the d5,it has a magnifying vial instead of a screen bringing the price down

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=pageHeading vAlign=top>LEICA disto a5 laser distance measurer
[A5]</TD><TD class=pageHeading vAlign=top align=right>
<INPUT title=" Add to Cart " type=image alt="Add to Cart" src="http://www.vektools.com.au/includes/languages/english/images/buttons/button_in_cart.gif" border=0> </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD></TD></TR><!-- bof added by [email protected] for auction product contribution --><!-- eof added by [email protected] for auction product contribution --><TR><TD class=main><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=smallText align=middle><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=6 align=center border=0><TBODY></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=6 width="100%" align=left border=1><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top align=middle><TABLE><TBODY><TR><TD class=smallText vAlign=top align=middle><SCRIPT language=javascript><!-- document.write('
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The Leica DISTO™ A5 stands out thanks to both its ergonomic design and the soft rubber grip that allows it to sit well in the hand. With its unique end piece, wide range of additional functions and integrated view finder, the Leica DISTO™ A5 is fully equiped to tackle any measuring task. The most common calculating functions are of course quickly and easily accessed via the corresponding shortcut keys.
Indoors or outdoors – The Leica DISTO™ A5 is your ever-reliable partner

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</TD><TD>Ergonomic design with soft rubber grip
Fits perfectly in the hand, with soft rubber grip to ensure a firm hold.
</TD></TR><TR><TD width=90></TD><TD>Robust enough for outdoor use
The integrated optical viewfinder simplifies targeting over long distances</TD></TR><TR><TD width=90></TD><TD>Multi-function flip-out end piece
The built in sensor automatically determines the correct zero point.
</TD></TR><TR><TD width=90></TD><TD></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE style="BORDER-COLLAPSE: collapse" borderColor=#cccccc cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=2 width=468 border=1><TBODY><TR bgColor=#e6e6e6><TH>Feature</TH><TH>Your benefit</TH></TR><TR bgColor=#ffffff><TD>Measuring range of 0.05 up to 200m
(0.16 up to 650ft); typ. accuracy
± 1.5mm (± 0.06in)</TD><TD>Fast and accurate measurement of
short and long distances</TD></TR><TR bgColor=#ffffff><TD> Power Range Technology™</TD><TD> Allows measuring of long distances
(approx. 100m) without target plate</TD></TR><TR bgColor=#ffffff><TD> Ergonomic design with soft rubber grip</TD><TD> Instrument fits well in the hand</TD></TR><TR bgColor=#ffffff><TD> Integrated viewfinder with 2x magnification</TD><TD> Ideal for measurement of longer distances</TD></TR><TR bgColor=#ffffff><TD> Room calculations</TD><TD> Maximum results with minimum effort,
no more manual calculations</TD></TR><TR bgColor=#ffffff><TD> Indirect height-/width measurement</TD><TD> Measurement of inaccessible locations</TD></TR><TR bgColor=#ffffff><TD> Shortcut keys</TD><TD> Extra-simple operation</TD></TR><TR><TD> IP54</TD><TD> Splash and dust proof - important for all
professionals</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Scope of delivery:
Leica DISTO™ A5, holster, hand loop, batteries, manual, safety instructions, producer certificate
Art.no 740689 (Available in US version too - with in/ft pre-settings Art.no 740690 and an tpy. accuracy
of (± 0.08in)
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<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=2 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=main colSpan=2>Available Options:</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

Havent bought one as yet (also havent been on the net for ages so I didnt see the replies.. sorry) As for what I"m after, budget is not really an issue, though between $600-$1000 sounds ok to me. As for features, it needs to be able to work indoor and outdoor (rain, hail or shine), minimum of 150m range, do all the math I cant be bothered doing (distance, area, volume, pythagoras) need to be able to see the laser at any distance (if thats a seperate monitor or whatever... I dont mind. And yes, if it can make a good cup of tea/coffee that would be a bonus.

I shall certainly check out the Leica website and see what they have.
Once again, cheers for the info
Ryan

late reply, oh well.

just bought myself a Fluke 411d for work off ebay, and its great. cost me about AUS$180.00 and it runs off 2x AAA batteries. it does not have the funky backlit screen that the Disto's have, but it didnt cost me an arm or a leg either.

Highly recommend it if you can find one.

Another worth a look is the little stanley fatmax unit, not bad for the money. I had it before the Fluke and then some local theive broke into my car one night and took it.

i would say you would struggle with any laser in direct sunlight to spot a 3mm dot, 50m away.

Oh, makita have just released a nice looking unit too. about $250.00 or there abouts

I have a D3. Great little tool. Got it cos it does angles. However, it is really an indoor unit. Keep meaning to buy some laser glasses to make spotting the tiny red dot easier in sunlight.