Apache Technologies STORM User manual

STORM Laserometer
Operator's Manual
™

Thank you for purchasing anApache Technologies, Inc. product.
Your laser product is a premium quality tool that has been
designed and manufactured to provide years of precise and
reliable performance.
This manual is an important part of your purchase as it will
familiarizeyouwiththeunitandexplainthenumerousfeaturesthat
have been designed into it. Please read this manual thoroughly
before use.
Please contact yourApache dealer or theApache factory should
you have questions regarding specic applications or if you require
additional information.
IMPORTANT: Fill out the Warranty Registration Card and return
it to Apache Technologies, Inc.
Please record your information below for future reference.
Serial Number: ______________________
Date of Purchase: ______________________
Purchased From: _______________________
_______________________
Phone: _______________________

Table of Contents
1 General Description .........................................................2
2 Front View ........................................................................3
3 Rear View ........................................................................4
4 Operation - Installing the Batteries ..................................5
5 Operation - Primary Switch Functions .............................6
6 Operation - Secondary Switch Functions ........................7
7 Liquid Crystal Display ......................................................8
8 Special Functions ..........................................................13
9 Menu Functions .............................................................14
10 Rod Clamp .....................................................................17
11 Specications .................................................................18
12 Warranty ........................................................................19
13 Maintenance and Safety ................................................20
14 CE Declaration of Conformity .............. Inside Back Cover
P/N ATI 400043-02 Rev B

2
1 General Description
The STORM™ laserometer is designed to receive reference
elevation information from all rotating laser levels. A large 5.0
inch(127 mm)verticalreceptionwindowcapturesthelaserbeam
using patented SuperCell™ receiving technology.
ElevationinformationisoutputviaLiquidCrystalDisplays(LCD's)
on the front and rear and Light Emitting Diodes (LED's) on the
front. A beeper also emits an adjustable audible tone.
The LCD's indicate elevation information graphically
with arrows and bars and numerically. A proportional
growing arrow graphic indicates high, low, or on-grade.
A numeric elevation display indicates on-grade and how far the
laserometer is from on-grade.
Accuracy levels, units of measure, sound levels, and various
other user options are selectable to meet a variety of job
requirements.
The unit has been specically designed for use in harsh
constructionenvironments.Stroberejectiontechnology,overmolded
housings,recessedwindows,waterproofdesignanddurabilityare
incorporated into every detector.
A general purpose clamp is included and designed to mount
the detector on various grade rods and staffs. A secondary
offset mounting location provides additional versatility is certain
applications. A patented reversible wedge on the clamp allows
sure grip mounting to round, oval, square, and rectangular rods,
as well as various sizes of wooden staffs.

3
1.Keypad-Power,Accuracy,
Units,andVolumeswitches.
Refer to §5 & 6 for detailed
operation.
2. LED's - Easy to see
Light Emitting Diodes show
position of laserometer
relative to the laser beam.
Greenforon-gradeandRed
for high or low.
3. Beeper output - Fast
audible signal is too High;
lower to get to on-grade.
Solid signal is On-grade.
Slow signal is too Low; raise
to get to on-grade.
4. Bubble Vial - aids in
keeping laserometer level
for accurate readings.
5. Photo-Sensor - Anti-strobe sensor detects strobe lights and
rejects their input on laser reception.
6. SuperCell Reception Window - Five (5) inches (127 mm) of
reception range. Window must be directed toward laser.
7. LCD (front and rear) - Displays elevation information and
laserometer settings and status. Refer to §7 for details.
8. On-grade Mark - Aligned with laser on-grade reading.
2 Front View
4
6
7
5
1
2
3
8

4
9. Battery Door & Latch
- Waterproof housing
holds two "AA" alkaline
batteries.
10. Marking Notch - Used
totransferormarkelevation
position in handheld
applications. Aligns with
center on-grade position.
Top of detector is 3.15 in
(80 mm) from marking
notch.
11. Captive Screw Thread,
Center on-grade clamp
position. Insert accepts
rod clamp screw to secure
detector to the clamp. See
§7.11 for additional clamp
information.
12. Captive Screw Thread, Offset on-grade clamp position.
Allows a larger above grade display for certain applications.
See §7.12 for additional clamp information.
13. Clamp Guides (3) - Dimples align rod clamp.
14. Serial Number / ID Label
15. Rear LCD - Refer to §7 for details.
16. Rubber over mold - Protects the unit from accidental drops.
3 Rear View
9
10
11
12
14
15
16
13

5
4 Operation - Installing the Batteries
1. Open the battery door using a coin or similar pry device to
release the battery door tab.
2.InserttwoAAbatteriesnotingtheplus(+)andminus(-)diagrams
inside the battery housing.
3. Close the battery door. Push down until it "clicks" into the shut
position.

6
5 Operation - Primary Switch Functions
1. Power Switch - Press the
power switch to turn power
ON. All LED's, the LCD,
and the beeper will come
on momentarily. CAL will be
displayedandLED'ssequenced
as the unit goes through a
self-calibrating procedure for
approximately 3 seconds.
NOTE: Do not power up the unit in a laser beam or strobe.
If detected, the unit will revert to the previous calibration.
Press and hold the Power switch for 2 seconds to turn power OFF.
2. Units of Measure Switch - Press once to display the current
settings in the numeric display area. Press again while the
units are displayed (within one second) to change the current
selection. Subsequent presses will scroll through the setting
selections of centimeters (cm), millimeters (mm), inches (in),
fractional inches (in), and feet (ft). For fractional inches, the
fraction bar will be displayed on the LCD. The selected setting
will always be displayed on the top of the LCD.
3. Volume Switch - Pressing the switch cycles High, Medium,
Low and Off. One beep is emitted at the selected volume when
changed. When sound if Off, a single beep will signal that a laser
beam has been detected.
4. Accuracy Switch - Press once to numerically display current
accuracy settings on the LCD. Press again while the accuracy is
displayed (within one second) to change the current selection.
Subsequent presses will scroll through ve accuracy options
(Ultra Fine, Super Fine, Fine, Medium, Coarse). Refer to §11,
Specifications, for details.
4
1
23

7
6 Operation - Secondary Switch Functions
5. LED Display - Pressing
the Units and Volume
switches together enables
the selection of LED's ON
Bright, ON Dim, or OFF.
Press together to cycle the
selection. The LED's will
display the current level of
brightness selected as the
switches are pressed. The
LED light bulb symbol on
the LCD will also change to
display the selected setting.
6. Menu - Pressing the Accuracy and Volume switches together
enables entry into the Menu functions. Refer to §9 for details.
6a. In the Menu mode, the up arrow (Accuracy switch)
scrolls the menu up.
6b. In the Menu mode, the down arrow (Volume switch)
scrolls the menu down.
6c. In the Menu mode, the enter arrow (Units switch) enters or
selects the available options.
7. Capture -Allows a reading to be recorded. Refer to §8, Special
Functions, for detailed operation of the Capture function.
NOTE: Units, Volume, Accuracy and LED Brightness are stored
in memory and will be retained when the unit is turned off or
when batteries are replaced.
7
5
6
6a
6b
6c

8
7 Liquid Crystal Display
1
2
3
4
5
6
78
12
9
10
11
1. Grade Indication Arrows - 10 individual levels of grade
information for above and below grade. Arrow size increases as
distance away from on-grade increases.
Arrow bars can be selected to represent the selected deadband
or can be proportional to the vertical reception range. Refer to §9
for details. Horizontal bar indicates on-grade.
1. Grade indication arrows
2. Battery status indicator
3. Laser out-of-level / laser low
battery indicator
4. LED brightness level
5. Beeper volume level
6. Auto shut-off timer
7. Units of measure
8. Numeric elevation /
Menu text display
9. Numeric elevation for fractional
inches / Menu text display
10.Accuracy (deadband) indicator
11. Offset on-grade clamp location
12.Center on-grade clamp location
Lower to on-grade On-grade
Out-of Beam display - a sequence of arrows will indicate if the
receiver has moved beyond the vertical reception range and will
indicate which direction to move to get back to the laser beam.
The display can be turned on or off. Refer to §9 for details.

9
7 Liquid Crystal Display
2. Battery Status - indicates 4 levels of battery status.
Full -
Batteries
OK
Half -
Initial
Warning
Outline - Approx.
30 Minutes
Remaining
Flashing -
Change
Batteries
4. LED Brightness - indicates if LED's are on Bright, Dim or Off.
No display indicates LED's are Off.
LED's
Bright LED's Dim
3. Laser Out-of-Level and Laser Low Battery warning - certain
laser transmitters can signal warnings by changing the rotation
speed (RPM) of the laser. When enabled, the transmitter outline is
displayed with the appropriate out-of-level or low battery symbol.
If a laser out-of-level is detected, the bubble vial
symbol will blink. Additionally, the beeper will emit an
alternating hi-low tone as a distinct warning, even if
the beeper has been turned off. No elevation information will be
displayed.
If a laser low battery warning is detected, the battery
symbolwillblink.Elevationinformationwillbedisplayed
normally. Refer to the laser's instructions.
Refer to §9, Menu Functions, for details on enabling these
warnings.

10
Beeper
Loud Beeper Medium Beeper Low
7 Liquid Crystal Display
6. Automatic Shut-Off - clock symbol and number indicate a 30
minute (0.5 hour) or 24 hour shut-off is selected. No symbol
indicates automatic shut-off is disabled. Refer to §9 for details.
30 minutes
selected 24 hours selected
7. Units of Measure - indicates if centimeters (cm), millimeters
(mm), inches (in), fractional inches (inch with fraction bar), or
feet (ft) is selected.
5. Beeper Volume - indicates if Loud, Medium, Low or Off is
selected. No symbol represents beeper Off.

11
7 Liquid Crystal Display
8. Numeric Elevation / Menu Text Display - when
in the normal operating mode, the four-character
graphic displays numeric elevation.
Resolution and the decimal point will be determined by the
units of measure and the accuracy selected. Refer to §11,
Specications, for details.
Dashed lines across the display indicate the
numeric vertical reception range has been
exceeded.
The numeric display may also be turned off. Refer to §9, Menu
Functions, for details.
When in the MENU mode, the menu function text
abbreviations will be displayed. Refer to §9, Menu
Functions, for details.
9. Numeric Elevation for Fractional Inches / Menu Text
- when in the normal operating mode and fractional
inches are selected as the unit of measure, the top
number, bottom number, and fraction bar are displayed
to form the fraction.
When in the MENU mode, the two-character graphic displays
the text abbreviation of the current setting and available options
when scrolling through the menu.

12
12. Center on-grade clamp position - clamp position is
sensed automatically and displayed. Standard center
position displays an equal amount of information above
and below grade. Refer to §10 for additional clamp
information.
11. Offset on-grade clamp position - clamp position
is sensed automatically and displayed. Offset clamp
position moves the on-grade location to allow more grade
information to be displayed above grade. This is useful in
applications where going below grade is not required, i.e.
driving stakes down to grade.
7 Liquid Crystal Display
10.Accuracy Indicator - indicates 5 levels of accuracy selections
- Ultra Fine, Super Fine, Fine, Medium, and Coarse. Refer to §11,
Specications, for the specic values for each accuracy selected.
No center bar is displayed for calibration mode. Refer to §8,
Special Functions, for details.
Super Fine Fine Medium CoarseUltra Fine Calibration
Mode

13
8 Special Functions
CaptureFunction:TheCapturefunctionisusedtoobtain
asinglereadingandkeepitdisplayed.Thismaybeuseful
when the unit may not be visible and grade information
needs to be obtained.
When in the laser beam and power on, momentarily press the
Power/Captureswitch.Thecurrentelevationreadingwillbesaved.
A ashing display will conrm the reading has been captured.
Press any switch to return to normal operation.
When out of the laser beam and power on, momentarily press
the Power/Capture switch. A short intermittent beep and 'WAIT'
displayed on the LCD conrm the Capture mode. (The beeper will
turn on to Low if turned off.) Place the receiver in the beam. The
beeper will chirp rapidly after approximately 5 seconds conrming
beam capture. A ashing display will also conrm the reading has
been captured. Press any switch to return to normal operation.
Calibration Mode: Pressing the Power and
Accuracy switches together when the unit is off
enablesentryintoalasercalibrationaccuracymode.
This mode is not marked on the unit.
This accuracy is designed to be used when calibrating a laser.
It is not recommended for eld use. Refer to §11, Specications,
for calibration mode values.
Calibration mode will be conrmed on the LCD by the accuracy
indicators without the on-grade bar.
Press any key or cycle power to exit the calibration mode and
return to the previously stored accuracy setting.

14
9 Menu Functions
TheMenuscreenisaccessedbypressingtheAccuracy
and Beeper switches together for approximately two
seconds. Menu text will appear in the numeric display
area. The rst line is the menu function. The second line
is the current setting for that function. The remainder
of the LCD will be clear. No elevation information will
be displayed while in the menu screens.
Menu items are selected by scrolling up or down the blue scroll
arrows (▲▼) on the Accuracy and Volume switches.
Menuitems areenteredby pressingtheblue enterarrow
(↲)ontheUnitsswitch.Onceentered,thecurrentsetting
will blink.
To change the current setting, use the blue scroll arrows to scroll
through the options for that function. Once selected, press the
blue enter arrow (Units switch) to conrm selection.
Use the blue scroll arrows to select additional functions.
Once all selections are made, scroll to EXIT, and press the blue
enterarrowtoexitthemenu.Alternatively,thePowerswitchcanbe
used to enter a selection, to back up one step or exit the menu.
SENS - Sensitivity - HI / MD / LO - Selects reception sensitivity
to laser and other light sources.
MD is used for most applications and is default setting.
HI can be used when working with a weak laser beam or if the
beam needs to be picked at very long distances.
NOTE: Refer to the laser's specications for accuracy and
distance information.
LO is used if outside sources are disturbing elevation readings.

15
9 Menu Functions
AVG - Numeric & Arrow Averaging - HI / MD / LO - Averages
laser beam strikes to improve arrow display performance at long
distances. Algorithm factors in laser RPM and accuracy setting.
MD is default setting and used for most applications.
HI can be used in windy conditions, when the laser beam may
be unstable, or when working at long distances. NOTE: Refer to
the laser's specications for accuracy and distance information.
LO uses minimum averaging to display laser strikes.
D.R.O. - Digital Read Out - ON / OF - Turns the numeric display
On or Off. Default is ON.
UNIT - Units of Measure - Select centimeters (cm), millimeters
(mm), inches (in), fractional inches (in), or feet (ft). Default is mm.
FRC.R - Fractional Reduction - ON / OF - Applied when
fractional inches are Units of Measure selected.
ON reduces fractions to the least common denominator.
OFF leaves fraction in reducible form.
Default is ON.
ARRW - Arrow Display - DB / PR - Adjusts how the off-grade
arrow and bars are displayed. Default is DB.
DB - Deadband - each bar represents the deadband or accuracy
setting. NOTE: For larger deadbands, all bars may not be
displayed.
PR - Proportional - each bar represents the available vertical
reception range divided by the number of segments.
O.O.B - Out-of-Beam Display - ON / OF - ON displays a
sequence of arrows that indicate when the receiver has moved
beyond the vertical laser reception range. The sequence will
indicate which direction to move to get back in the laser beam.
The display remains on for approximately 25 seconds.
OF turns the display Off. Default is ON.

16
9 Menu Functions
GRD.A. - Grade Alarm - ON / OF - Special application function
that when turned ON, disables the audible signal when on-
grade. When moved out of the on-grade deadband, the beeper
activates as normal. Default is OF.
A.S.O. - Automatic Shutoff - 0.5 / OF / 24 - Selects automatic
shutoff time from last laser strike. Default is 30 minutes.
0.5 - 30 minute shutoff.
OF - Automatic shutoff turned Off.
24 - 24 hour shutoff.
TX.O.L. - Transmitter Out-of-Level - OF/ 6.7/ 5.0 /3.3 / 2.7/ 2.3
Special Application used with transmitters that communicate to
the receiver that the laser is out of level. The lasers change their
rotating speed when they are out of level. When enabled, the
receiver senses this change and alerts the user. Grade display
information is disabled when activated. Default is OF.
TX.L.B. - Transmitter Low Battery - OF/ 6.7 / 5.0/ 3.3 / 2.7/ 2.3
SpecialApplicationusedwithtransmittersthatcommunicatetothe
receiver that the laser has a low battery. The lasers change their
rotating speed. When enabled, the receiver senses this change
and alerts the user to a laser low battery condition. Default is OF.
Selection is in RPS. See §11, Specications, for RPM equivalents.
INFO - Information - RPS / VER / VEND / MODL / S/N - the "+"
symbol indicates an additional level. Press the blue enter arrow.
RPS displays laser Revolutions Per Second for current laser strikes
VER displays software version
MODL displays model information
S/N displays serial number
NOTE: Most menu functions are stored in memory and will be
retainedwhentheunitisturnedoff.Sensitivity,Averaging,Fractional
Reduction and GradeAlarm are reset to default settings.

17
10 Rod Clamp
1. Captive Rod Clamp Screw - attaches to the back of detector.
2. Alignment Points (2) - help secure and align rod clamp.
3. Clamping Screw Knob - secures clamp to rods by moving the
traveling jaw. Clockwise tightens; Counterclockwise loosens.
4. Reference Bar - top of bar is aligned with the detector's on-
grade location for both standard center on-grade and offset
on-grade clamp locations.
5. Traveling Jaw - moving jaw grips tightly to rods.
6. Reversible Face - slanted face is used to tightly grip round and
oval rods; at face is used to grip rectangular and square rods.
4
3
2
15
6
7. Flathead Screw - holds reversible face in place. Remove with
athead screwdriver. Rotate face as shown to change.
8. Optional Bubble Vial Kit - aids in keeping rods plumb when
taking rod readings.
8
Rectangular
Rods Oval / Round Rods
7
6

18
11 Specications
Working Radius: 3 ft. - 1000 ft. (1 m - 300 m)
Laser dependent
Laser Detection Height: 5" (127 mm)
Numeric Readout Height: 4" (102 mm)
Accuracy: In In (frac) ft mm cm
Ultra Fine 0.02 1/32 0.002 0.5 0.05
Super Fine 0.05 1/16 0.005 1.0 0.10
Fine 0.10 1/8 0.010 2.0 0.20
Medium 0.20 1/4 0.020 5.0 0.50
Coarse 0.50 1/2 0.050 10.0 1.0
Calibration 0.01 1/64 0.001 0.1 0.01
Reception Angle: ± 45° minimum
Detectable Spectrum: 610 nm to 780 nm
Beeper Volumes: Loud 110 dBA
Medium 95 dBA
Low 65 dBA
LED Grade Indicators: Front, Green on-grade, Red Hi/Low
Power Supply: 2 x 1.5 Volt "AA" batteries
Battery Life: 60+ hours
Automatic Shut Off: Selectable, 30 minutes, 24 hours, Off
Environmental: Waterproof, Dustproof to IP67
Weight without clamp: 13.1 oz. (371 g)
Dimensions without clamp: 6.6" x 3.0" x 1.4" (168 x 76 x 36 mm)
Operating Temp: -4°F to +140°F (-20°C to +60°C)
Storage Temp: -40°F to +158°F (-40°C to +70°C)
Transmitter Rotation RPS= RPM
6.7 400
5.0 300
3.3 200
2.7 160
2.3 140
*Specications subject to change without notice