DISTO Users GuideA basic tutorial on operating all current DISTO models

A2 A3 A5 A6 A8

Measuring DistanceAll DISTO Models Included

The ON/DIST button has two functions, single measurement and continuous measurements

Measurement and Power button location. All units.

• 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

Single 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

Continuous Measurement

A3, A5, A6, A8 Typical Display

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.

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!)

Perimeter: ideal for baseboards for instance

Wall area: perfect for plastering and painting

Area: ideal e.g. for flooring, architecture and real estate

Volume: important e.g. for air-conditioning and real estate appraisers

Measuring Area and VolumeAll DISTO Models Included

The button has two functions, area (L X W) and volume (L X W X H)

Note: Press the CLEAR button if you make a mistake to clear the last measurement taken and then proceed again.

A5, A6, A8 Typical Display

Pythagoras: Remote MeasurementsDISTO Models A5, A6, A8 Only. DISTO A2, A3 do not have this ability.

• Press Pythagoras button 1X on the A5/A6 and 3X on the A8

• Measure angle #1• Measure RIGHT angle #2• Unit calculates distance #3

Two Point Pythagoras

This also works on the ceiling to calculate joist spacing, HVAC, electrical, and plumbing!

Three Point Pythagoras

• 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

Vertical or Horizontal

90°

90°

1.

1.

2.

2.

3.

3.

Vertical or Horizontal

90°

1. 2. 3.

1.

2.

3.

90°

The button has 3 functions on the A5/A6 and 5 on the A8

4.4.

Symbol in DISTO Display

Symbol in DISTO Display

Get the partial height/width with three measurements!

1.

2.

90°3. 1. 2.

90°

3.

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

A8 Unique Functions

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

DISTO A8 can be used solely as an electronic level if desired and displays the units on the display. IN/FT in this case

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

Result

Laser1X

ViewfinderButton

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

• 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

View

finde

r and

Ang

le

Laser

TRIPOD MOUNTING HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

2X

ViewfinderButton. Press again to change power up to 3X

Result

A8 Partial Vertical Measurements Using View Finder and Inclination

2X

ViewfinderButton. Press again to change power up to 3X

Result

TRIPOD MOUNTING HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

• 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 the viewfinder again if viewing the laser is difficult with your eye

Viewfinder, A

ngle or Dire

ct La

ser

Laser

DISTO FAQ’s1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. WHAT SURFACES ARE DIFFICULT TO MEASURE? Tree bark, asphalt shingles, carpet, glass.