Leica Geosystems DISTO plus User manual

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1Keypad
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User Manual
Version 1.0
English
The Safety Instructions (738266) in a
separate brochure form a part of this
User Manual.
Carefully read the Safety Instructions and
the User Manual before using this product.
Contents
Keypad.......................................................................... 1
Display .......................................................................... 2
How to Use the Instrument ..................................... 3
1st Function level ....................................................... 3
2nd Function level..................................................... 10
User Information ...................................................... 12
Technical Data.......................................................... 13
Message Codes........................................................ 14
Leica DISTO™ plus hand-held laser meter
Congratulations on your purchase of a Leica DISTO™
plus.
Product identification
The identification label for your product is fitted on the
front. The serial number is under the endpiece. Enter
model and serial number in your User Manual, and always
refer to this information when you need to contact your
agency or service center.
Model: Leica DISTO™ plus...............................................
Serial no.: .........................................................................
Date of purchase: .............................................................
International Manufacturer’s
Warranty
Leica Geosystems offers its customers a two (2) year
warranty on Leica DISTO™ plus instruments. For more
information, refer to www.disto.com.
In case of a defect, please contact the dealership near you.
Symbols used
The symbols used in the User Manual have the following
meanings:
WARNING:
Indicates a potentially hazardous situation or an
unintended use which, if not avoided, will result in death or
serious injury.
CAUTION:
Indicates a potentially hazardous situation or an
unintended use which, if not avoided, may result in minor
injury and/or in appreciable material, financial and
environmental damage.
)Important paragraphs which must be adhered to
in practice as they enabled the product to be used in a
technically correct and efficient manner.
Keypad
The Leica DISTO™ plus has two function levels. The first
level contains direct functions like ON/OFF, +/- etc. The
second level is for data transfer functions and software
control.
Press to switch between the function levels.
Is displayed on the screen.

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D5-Z1
1st function level
2nd function level
Display
D5-Z2
1 Laser "on"
2 Measurement reference (front/ tripod/ rear)
3 Information
4 BLUETOOTH®ON/OFF
5 Display of the mathematical signs/operations
6 Main display (e.g. measured distance)
7 Distance measurement
8 Tracking
9Area/Volume
10 min. Tracking
11 max. Tracking
12 Pythagoras function
13 Pythagoras function with partial height
14 Units with exponents (²/ ³)
15 Time symbol for time delay release
16 Save constant
17 Contact customer service
18 3 auxiliary displays (e.g. previous values)
19 SET
20 RESET
21 Battery display
22 2nd function level
23 Recall stored constant (max. 10)
24 Recall last 15 values
25 Illumination (on/ off)
26 Beep (on/ off)
27 Offset setting
1 Distance measuring,
Tracking
10 Menu
22
nd -
function level 1 or 2 11 Illumination
3 Meas. reference 12 Multiply [ x ]/ Timer
Release
4 Areas, Volumes 13 ON/OFF key
5 Measuring 14 Clear
6 min. / max. Tracking 15 Mermory, Stack
7 BLUETOOTH®ON/OFF 16 Equals, Enter
8 Pythagoras functions 17 Minus [ - ]
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18 delete 23 direction upward
19 enter 24 direction downward
20 direction left upward 25 direction right downward
21 direction left 26 direction right
22 direction left downward 27 direction right upward
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3How to Use the Instrument
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How to Use the Instrument
Inserting / replacing the batteries
1 Depress the locking clip and slide end piece to the right.
D5-Z3
2 Remove battery cover. Replace batteries.
Appears on the display if battery voltage is too
low.
For type of battery, refer to Technical Data.
)Fit batteries the right way round.
)Use only Alkaline batteries.
3 Push in end piece and listen for locking click sound.
1st Function level
Leica DISTO™ plus switching ON/OFF
Briefly press.
The illumination, Battery and Beep symbols are displayed
until the first key press.
The instrument can be switched off from any menu point.
)The instrument switches off automatically after
90 seconds if no key is pressed.
)An unwanted switching off of the
BLUETOOTH®-dataconnection is blocked by special
precautions. Please refer to page 11.
Clear key
The clear key may be pressed before or after a
measurement/ calculation.
In Menu Mode it resets to Normal Mode.
During a function (area, volume or Pythagoras) the single
measurements can be deleted step by step and
remeasured.
In the menu settings, the program is terminated if the
Equal (=) and Enter keys are not pressed.
Illumination
Press briefly.
Illumination is switched ON/OFF with a key press.
)Illumination switches off after 30 seconds if no
key is pressed.
Reference setting
Press until desired reference setting appears.

4
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Possible settings
D5-Z4
front tripod rear
)At the back of the instrument is a 1/4" camera
thread for the tripod.
)Settings remain valid until the reference level is
changed or the instrument is automatically or manually
switched off.
)Basic setting: rear reference
Measuring
Distance measurement
Press and the laser is switched on, the
instrument is in "Pointing Mode".
A second press starts the distance
measurement.
The result is displayed immediately in the selected unit.
)With the instrument on and the laser off, it is in
"Normal Mode".
)With the laser on, it is in "Pointing Mode".
Measuring from flat planes
D5-Z5
)For stable measuring turn endpiece 90°.
Measuring from corners
D5-Z6
Continuous measurement (Tracking)
Press until
appears on the display.
Continuous measurement is started and the
result is displayed.
Press to end Tracking Mode. Last result is
shown in the display.
Example: Stake off distance
D5-Z7
Laser in continous operation
Press until a long "beep" is heard. Now the laser
is activated permanently.
A distance measurement is triggered each time
the key is pressed.
Press to end continuous laser operation.

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Time delay release
Instrument must be in Pointing Mode.
Press and hold until desired time delay has been
reached (max. 60 seconds).
appears on the display.
Once the key is released, the remaining seconds (e.g. 59,
58, 57...) are displayed, until measuring.
The last 5 seconds are counted down with a "beep".
After the last "beep", the measurement is made and the
value displayed.
Example: Measuring without any key activation.
D5-Z8
Calculations
Area
Press until
appears on the display.
The side to be measured blinks.
Make 2 measurements (l x w).
The result and the two partial results appear on the
display.
Volume
Press until
appears on the display.
The side to be measured blinks.
Make 3 measurements (l x w x h).
The result and the three partial results appear on the
display.
Menu/ Settings
The menus allow a free selection of the settings that are to
remain valid after switching off the instrument. The
functions follow each other endlessly (rollmode).
Press to toggle between the functions.
D5-Z9
4 Measure with offset (add/reduce)
5 Selecting measuring units
6 Beep
7 Reset
Menü aufrufen:
Press until desired menu point appears or with
key [+ / -] switch between the various menu
points.
Confirm selection, activate menu point.
or with key [+ / -] change setting as desired.

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Confirm selection, reset to Normal Mode.
)"Clear Entry" may also be used (e.g. to cancel a
selection).
Selecting units (menu)
Selectable units:
Measure with offset (menu)
D5-Z10
Call up menu point.
blinks on the display.
With key [+ / -] set desired offset (=shifting reference) (e.g.
0,015m); quick set by keeping key pressed.
For larger steps hold additionally.
)Offset can be positive (add) or negative
(reduce)!
Confirm setting.
Is displayed continuously if offset ≠0.
)Subject to set offset, the measured results are
displayed.
Using this function you can measure with rough size, as an
example!
Please make this a rule: After rough size measurement
always set the Leica DISTO™ plus to offset 0.000: Call up
function as described
Press.
Confirm function.
)After making/changing settings, it is imperative
that a test measurement is performed.
Resetting (menu)
Call up menu point.
starts blinking on the display.
With key [+ / -] select components to be reset. To choose
from:
Stack/ Mermory
Stack and Constant
If additional symbols e.g. units are shown in the display,
the following values are reset:
– Offset (=0), Beep (On) and Units (meter)
Selected components are reset; back to
Measuring Mode.
Save values (constants)
Measure/ calculate desired value (e.g. height of room,
area, volume).
Press longer.
– m (mm) = 0.000 m – 14’ 06’’ 1/16 = ’ ’’ 1/16
– m (cm) = 0.00 m – in = 0.0 in
– ft = 0.00 ft – in 1/16 = 0 1/16in
– ft in 1/16 = 0.00 1/16ft in

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starts to blink on the display.
With key [+ / -] adjust value as desired (e.g. from 2.297m
to 2.300m).
For larger steps press and hold additionally.
Press to adjust unit (²/³).
)The adjustment is for m, m² and m³ rsp. ft, ft² and
ft³ only.
Confirm.
and a number (=memory location) starts to blink.
With key [+ / -] select memory location (1-10).
Save value.
Recalling the constant
Briefly press.
and the contents of the first constant memory
location are displayed (e.g. 2.300m).
With key [+ / -] select desired mermory (1 to 10).
Confirm; value is ready to be used for (e.g.
calculating an area) or
Recall last measured value (Stack)
Briefly press twice
and the last value in the display is shown.
With key [+ / -] select desired value (max. 15!).
Confirm; value is ready to be used for (e.g.
calculating an area).
Tracking - Minimum
D5-Z11
Determine the minimum dimension, e.g. ceiling height,
without having to precisely align to the normal.
Press until
appears on the display.
Aim Leica DISTO™ plus approximately at the target point.
Activate continuos measurement with a brief
press.
Move the Leica DISTO™ plus a large amount around the
target point.
Stop continuous measurement.
The smallest measurement is displayed (e.g. 3.215m =
height of room).
)Both planes (e.g. floor/ ceiling, walls) must be
nearly parallel to each other.
Tracking - Maximum
D5-Z12

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Determine maximum dimension, e.g. to determine the
(room) diagonal.
Press until
appears on the display.
Move the Leica DISTO™ plus a large amount around the
target point.
Activate continuous measurement with a brief
press.
Slowly rotate the Leica DISTO™ plus to the right/ left past
the corner.
Stop continuous measurement.
The largest measurement is displayed (e.g. 12.314m =
diagonal of room).
Calculations
Partial heights, partial distances
Make measurement.
Add by [ + ] key/ Subtract by[ - ] key.
Make additional measurements.
= Result.
)In the same way chain values (= any amount of
distance measurements) and sums of areas/ volumes can
be added up.
)During calculations "Clear" is available as long
as the function has not been executed!
Multiplication
Make measurement (e.g. 8.375m).
Multiplication by pressing [ x ] key.
Additional measurements (e.g. 8.375m).
= Area (e.g. 29.313m²)
)The volume can be calculated by an additional
multiplication following an area calculation.
This function can be used for calculating areas or volumes
with individual partial heights/ partial distances.
Doubling a measured value
It is easy to double the measured values, e.g. to determine
the length of walls in a room:
Make measurement.
Add by [ + ] key.
Make additional measurements.
= Sum (=half circumference)
With key [ + ] repeat, double measured value.
= Sum (=circumference)
D5-Z13
Pythagoras, height/ width measure-
ment
)The measuring sequence must be adhered to in
any case!
)All three (two) points must be on a vertical or
horizontal line in the plane of the wall!

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)With each of the distance measurements you
can use:
• a simple distance measurement,
• a value from stack/ mermory or
• a measurement with time delay release.
)For short distances, a good base behind the
instrument is sufficient for mechanical alignment.
)You will obtain the best results if the Leica
DISTO™ plus is rotated around a fixed point (rear edge,
thread position) and the axis of the laser beam passes
through this axis. The Leica DISTO™ plus should not be
placed on a camera tripod without an adapter, as the axis
of the laser beam would be 70 to 100 mm above the instru-
ment’s axis of rotation. Without the adapter this would lead
to significant height deviations in the measurements.
Determination with two points
For estimating the height/
width of buildings. Very
useful for making measure-
ments from standing position
(no bending) if the height is
determined with two or three
distances.
Press until
appears on the display; laser is activated and "1
---" starts blinking.
Aim at the upper point (1).
Trigger measurement; do not move the
instrument!
Value is accepted.
appears on the display and "2 ---" starts blinking.
Point the Leica DISTO™ plus approximately horizontal (2).
Press, a continuous measurement is triggered.
Move the Leica DISTO™ plus a large amount around the
ideal measurement point.
Stop of continuous measurement. The height
and width are displayed from measurements
(Pythagoras).
Detemination with 3 points
Press until
appears on the display; laser is activated and "1
---" starts blinking.
Aim at the upper point (1).
Trigger measurement; do not move the
instrument!
Value is accepted.
appears on the display and "2 ---" starts blinking.
Point the Leica DISTO™ plus approximately horizontal (2).
Press, a continuous measurement is triggered.

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Move the Leica DISTO™ plus a large amount around the
ideal measurement point.
Stop of continuous measurement.
Value is accepted and and on the display "3 ---" starts
blinking.
Aim at the lower point (3).
Trigger measurement; do not move the
instrument!
The height and width are displayed from three
measurements (Pythagoras).
Determination of a partial height with 3
points
Height determination between
point 1 and point 2 with three
measured points.
Press until
appears on the display; laser is activated and
"1 ---" starts blinking.
Aim at the upper point (1).
Trigger measurement; do not move the
instrument!
Value is accepted and on the display "2 ---" starts blinking.
Trigger measurement; do not move the
instrument!
Value is accepted.
appears on the display and "3 ---" starts blinking.
Press, a continuous measurement is triggered.
Move the Leica DISTO™ plus a large amount around the
ideal measurement point.
Stop of continuous measurement. The height
and width are displayed between point 1 and 2
(Pythagoras).
2nd Function level
)Only in the second level can measured values
be transferred or corrected with the Leica DISTO™ plus.
The type and number of functions that can be activated in
the second function level depend on the software used.
Switching on the BLUETOOTH®
Press briefly.
If BLUETOOTH®is switched on, this icon
appears in the display.
The data connection must be built up by the application
software on a Pocket PC or PC. As long as the connection
is being built up, this icon will be blinking.
)If during 120 seconds after switching on the
BLUETOOTH®no connection is established with the
Pocket PC or PC, then the BLUETOOTH®is switched off
automatically.
If five minutes after the connection has been established,
no data transfer has occurred, then the BLUETOOTH®is
switched off automatically. After a further 90 seconds, the
Leica DISTO™ plus is also switched off.

11 2nd Function level
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Switching off the BLUETOOTH®
)Before switching off the BLUETOOTH®, always
change to the first function level
Press briefly.
BLUETOOTH®is switched off,when this icon is
no longer visible
)If still in the second function level, the
BLUETOOTH®cannot be swictched off. This is a safety
precaution to prevent an accidential interruption of the
BLUETOOTH®connection.
Before the Leica DISTO™ plus can be switched off, the
BLUETOOTH®function has to be switched off.
The direction arrows
D5-Z14
The eigth arrow keys in the lower part of the Leica
DISTO™ plus keyboard are used to input directions
(orthogonal and diagonal) when generating a spatial
drawing.
Trigger a measurement in the usual way (even if the
second level is active, these keys remain functional), the
value appears in the display. Select the arrow key that
corresponds to the direction needed for your spatial
drawing. When this arrow key is pressed, the distance is
transferred according to value and direction to the data
receiver (Pocket PC or PC).
Depending on the software used, the arrow keys can also
control the cursor (e.g. Excel).
Transfer of the measured values
Press the arrow key briefly. A a thin line will be
drawn to scale.
D5-Z15
Confirmation (or deletion) of a trans-
ferred measuring value
D5-Z16

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Press briefly to confirm that the correct line was
drawn. The line is then drawn thicker with the
measurement dispayed.
Press briefly to clear a wrong line.
.
Is the measurement is still displayed in the Leica DISTO™
plus, it can be transferred again by pressing the correct
arrow key.
Other functions are described in the manual of the
software used.
During data transfer
As long as there is no confirmation of a successful data
transfer from the Pocket PC or PC, no new measurement
can be triggered.
Appears and "240" blinks, if after 2 seconds no
data transfer occurs.
Press briefly to acknowledge the display. Repeat
measurement and data transfer.
Remark to the software
The two free software progams "PlusDraw" and "PlusXL"
are included to demonstrate the basic applications of the
Leica DISTO™ plus and are designed to perform simple
tasks (spatial drawings with measurements , data transfer
into an Excel table etc.)
Leica Geosystems gives no warranty on the free software
nor on their functionality and does not offer any support.
Leica Geosystems is not liable for any damage resulting
from the use of the free software and is not obligated to
make corrections on them or to develop additional
functions for them (updates, upgrades etc.).
There are a number of commercially available software
programs that provide the required functions. Please visit
our homepage www.disto.com for details.
User Information
Range
In daylight (outdoors) always work with a laser viewfinder
(see page 13). If neceesary, shade the target. If required,
use a target plate.
Increased range:
At night, at dusk and when target area is in the shade.
Reduced range / increased measuring time:
Against mat and dark surfaces (also plants and trees) a
reduction of the range may occurs as well as an increase
in measuring time.
Rough surfaces
On a rough surface (e.g. coarse plaster) measure against
the centre of the illuminated area.
To avoid measuring to the bottom of plaster joints:
Use target plate, 3M "Post-it" or board.
Transparent surfaces
To avoid measuring errors, do not measure towards
colorless liquids (e.g. water) or (dust free) glass, styropor.
or similar semi- permeable surfaces. For materials and
liquids unfamiliar to you always take a trial measurement.
)When aiming through panes of glass, or if there
are several objects in the line-of-sight erroneous measure-
ments can occur.

13 Technical Data
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Wet, smooth or high-gloss surfaces
1 Aiming at a "obtuse" angle deflects the laser beam. The
Leica DISTO™ plus may receive a signal that is too
weak (error message 255).
2 If aiming at a right angle, the Leica DISTO™ plus may
receive a signal that is too strong (error message 256).
Inclined, round surfaces
Can be measured with the laser.
Requirement: There is enough area on the target surface
for the laser spot.
Using a target plate
Use target plates 563875 (DIN C6) or 723385 (DIN A4’), if
the signal is too weak (e 255), if the targeted surface is too
rough, if the surface has poor reflection or during dayligh
when measuring from more than 30 meters away.
• White surfaces: to up approx. 30 m
• Brown surfaces: from approx. 30m to 200 m
In the field
Leica DISTO™ plus is equipped with an integrated
telescopic viewfinder (2x magnification).
With measurements from a distance of 25 m the laser spot
is in the centre of the crosshairs. Below a distance of 25 m
the laser spot moves to the edge of the crosshairs.
D5 Z_telescop
Technical Data
Measuring accuracy
(2x standard deviation) typ.: ± 1.5mm / max.: ± 3mm*
Smallest unit displayed 1mm**
Range (from about 30m, use
target plate) 0.2m up to 200 m
Time for a measurement dist / trc 0.5...ca.4s / 0.16...ca.1s
∅Laser spot (at distance) 6 / 30 / 60 mm (10 / 50 / 100 m)
Integrated telescopic viewfinder 
Illumination 
Multiline display 
Multifunctional endpiece 
Time delay release 
Pocket calculator 
BLUETOOTH®
Tracking 
Constant 10 values
min./ max. Tracking. 
Pythagoras 
Mermory (Stack) 15 values
Battery, Type AA, 2x 1.5V up to 10’000 measurements ***
(only with Alkaline batteries!)
Splash and dustproof IP54 acc. IEC529: splash and
dustproof
Dimension and weight 172 x 73 x 45 mm, 335g
Measuring accuracy of bubble 1°
Temperature range
Storage
Operating
-25°C to +70°C
(-13°F to +158°F)
-10°C to +50°C
(-14°F to +122°F)

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Message Codes Leica DISTO™ plus 1.0.0 GB
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* Maximum deviation occurs under unfavorable condi-
tions, such as in bright sunlight or when measuring to
inadequately reflecting surfaces. For distances over
30m-without using a target plate- themaximum devia-
tion may increase by ±0.1mm/m to maximum ±
10mm. For more information, refer to www.disto.com.
** As of 100m the measuring units are displayed in cm.
*** Reduced when using the BLUETOOTH® function
Message Codes
Error message
appears beside the message number on the
display.
Please call your local dealership and specify the
message code. Should the message continue to
appear after several starts, then the instrument
is defective.
Care
Look after the optical surfaces with the same care that you
would apply to spectacles, cameras and field glasses.
The most current information can be found on our
homepage:
www.disto.com
We publish the addresses of specialized software
mannufacturers . However, we are not responsible for the
correctness of their specifications or for the performance
of their software.
For software developers, the Leica DISTO™ plus Online-
Interface description is available.
All illustrations, descriptions and technical specifica-
tions are subject to change without prior notice.
Message
Code Cause Remedy
203 Wrong sequence with
Pythagoras meas.
Carry out measurement in
correct sequence
204 Calculation error Repeat procedure
240 Transmission error Repeat procedure
252 Temperature too high,
above 50°C (measuring)
Cool down instrument
253 Temperature too low,
below -10°C (measuring)
Warm up instrument
255 Receiver signal too weak,
measurement time too
long, distance <200 mm
Use target plate
measurement time >10
sec.
256 Received signal too
powerful
Use target plate (correct
side)
257 Wrong measurement,
ambient brightness too
high
Use target plate
260 Laser beam interrupted Repeat measurement
All other messages Call service "System"
Message
Code Cause Remedy

Leica Geosystems AG
CH-9435 Heerbrugg
(Switzerland)
www.leica-geosystems.com
Pat. No. • US 5,815,251
• US 5,949,531
• US 6,336,277
• US 6,463,393
• EP 0738 899
• EP 0932 835
LeicaGeosystemsAG,Heerbrugg,Switzerlandhasbeen
certifiedasbeingequippedwithaqualitysystemwhich
meets the International Standards of Quality
Management and Quality Systems (ISO standard 9001)
andEnvironmentalManagementSystems(ISOstandard
14001).
Printed in Switzerland - Copyright Leica Geosystems AG,
Heerbrugg, Switzerland 2003
738266-1.0.0
TotalQualityManagement-Ourcommitmenttototal
customer satisfaction
Ask your local Leica Geosystems agent for more
information about our TQM program.