50 FT. LASER DISTANCE MEASURER
INSTRUCTIONS
LDM1
Please read these instructions carefully and thoroughly before using the product.
INTRODUCTION
Thank you for purchasing General Tools & Instruments’
(General’s) LDM1 50 Ft. Laser Distance Measurer. The
LDM1 is designed to replace a conventional tape measure
in the hands of both DIYers and professionals.
The LDM1 works by shining an invisible infrared beam on a
target, which reflects the beam back to the tool. The time it
takes the beam to return is proportional to the distance to
the target. A red laser pointer is used only to aim the beam,
and not to carry any information. The LDM1’s range of 50
ft. makes it suitable for most indoor measuring tasks and
many outdoor jobs as well.
Why is the LDM1 better than a conventional tape measure?
• It’s faster. It takes much less time—and only one hand—to
hold the tool against a wall, aim at the opposite wall and
press the button than it does—requiring both hands—
to secure one end of a conventional tape measure, walk the
other end to the far wall, write down the reading and retract
the tape. The longer the distance to be
measured, the more time saved. Using the laser, the average
measurement can be made up to 10 times faster than by a
tape measure.
• It’s more accurate. Thanks to precision optics, the LDM1
can measure the distance between any two points more
than 10 inches apart with ±1/4 in. accuracy and 1/16 in.
resolution. It’s impossible to get that level of precision from
a tape that can bend or sag. What’s more, it’s much easier
to read the LDM1’s digital display, which can be held at eye
level, than to read a conventional tape measure whose
position may make tiny hash marks hard to see.
• It’s safer. Because the LDM1 can measure distances from a
distance, it takes the risk out of routine but tricky tasks. For
example, it makes it unnecessary to stand on a stepladder
and reach to measure the height of a ceiling.
WHAT’S IN THE PACKAGE
The LDM1 comes on a blister-packed card along with two
“AAA” Alkaline batteries.
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PRODUCT OVERVIEW
A B C
D
Fig. 1 shows the key components of the LDM1. Fig. 2
shows all possible display icons and indications. Use Fig. 1
to familiarize yourself with the position and function of all
components before moving on to the safety, setup and
operating instructions.
Fig. 2. The LDM1’s measurement display
A. Battery charge indicator
B. Laser enabled icon. When flashing, indicates that the
laser pointer is activated and ready to be aimed at a
target.
C. Indicates that measurements are referenced to
the bottom of the tool.
D. Distance readout
SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
Fig. 1. The LDM1’s key components
1. button. Press once to activate the laser pointer,
press again to make a measurement. Press and hold
three seconds to turn off the tool.
2. Red laser pointer exit
3. Infrared transmitter/receiver port
4. Measurement display (see Fig. 2)
5. Battery compartment
CAUTION!
• The LDM1’s Class II laser pointer emits less than 1mW of
radiation at 620 to 690 nm (nanometers). However, avoid
looking directly at the laser, and never point it at people
or animals. Eye protection is normally afforded by the
blink reflex. U.S. law prohibits pointing a laser beam at
aircraft; doing so is punishable by a fine of up to $10,000
and imprisonment.
• Do not operate the LDM1 in explosive environments
containing flammable liquids, gases or dust. Sparks may
be created in the tool which may ignite the dust or
fumes.
• Keep the LDM1 away from cardiac pacemakers. A
magnet inside the tool generates a field that can impair
their function. Likewise keep the tool away from
magnetic data storage media, whose contents may be
erased by the magnetic field.
SETUP INSTRUCTIONS
6. Two “AAA” Alkaline batteries (included)
INSTALL BATTERIES
The LDM1 is ready to use after you install the two supplied
“AAA” batteries.
Callout 5, press the latch
To open the battery compartment (Fig. 1,
at the top of its cover and remove
the cover. Install the batteries in series by following the
polarity marks on the inside of the compartment. Then
replace the cover, making sure the latch snaps to secure it.
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OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
To make a distance measurement, hold the bottom of the
tool against a wall or the floor and press the button
(Fig. 1, Callout 1). This activates the display, the laser
pointer and the infrared transmitter/receiver. It also causes
the laser enabled icon (Fig. 2, Callout B) to flash. This
indicates that the tool is ready to make a measurement.
Within 15 seconds, aim the laser pointer at the opposite
wall or the ceiling of the room or space and press the
button again. The distance between the two surfaces will
be displayed on the LCD. The laser pointer will
automatically extinguish 15 seconds after each
measurement.
When measuring long distances, use a target plate made of
white paper or cardboard. Pressing the back of the tool
against a surface (rather than holding it in your hand) helps
to steady the laser pointer on distant targets.
If the display shows “all dashes” rather than a distance
reading, the likely cause is one of the following:
• The laser pointer is moving too quickly. To steady the
pointer, press the back of the tool (the side with the
battery compartment) against the wall or floor.
• The target is beyond the maximum range (50 ft.) of the
IR transmitter/receiver, or closer than the minimum range
of 10 in. In other words, the returned IR signal is too
weak or too strong.
If you take more than 15 seconds to press the button a
second time, the laser enabled icon (and the red spot on the
target) will disappear.
you must press the button twice more—once to reactivate
the laser pointer and infrared transmitter/receiver while
you re-aim, and the second time to actually make the
measurement.
To power off the LDM1 manually, press and hold the
button for at least three seconds.
To attempt another measurement,
OPERATING &
MAINTENANCE TIPS
Because the LDM1’s laser pointer silently powers off 15
seconds after being activated, you’ll often find that when
you press the button intending to make a
measurement, all you have done is reactivate the pointer
and infrared transmitter/receiver. As noted earlier, what you
must do in this case is press the button twice more—once
to reactivate the laser pointer and IR transmitter/receiver
while you re-aim, and the second time to actually make the
measurement.
When measuring horizontal distances, keep the tool as
horizontal as possible.
• The target is too reflective. In this case, use a target plate
made of white paper or cardboard, as recommended
above.
• The target is flooded with ambient light. “Masking” the
target with white paper or cardboard should solve the
problem.
• The target is an LCD, LED or plasma TV/computer screen.
These screen types absorb incoming IR radiation and
reflect nothing back to the tool.
• The ambient temperature is outside the specified
operating range (32º to 104ºF).
Replace the batteries when the on-screen battery charge
icon (Fig. 2, Callout A) begins flashing. Use alkaline
batteries only. To avoid having an old battery leak acid and
ruin the tool, remove both batteries when you do not
expect to use the LDM1 for a long period of time (several
months).
Clean the LDM1 by wiping it with a damp soft cloth. Never
use solvents or abrasives.
Keep the tool away from water and extreme temperatures.
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FEATURES AND SPECIFICATIONS
• Measurement range/accuracy/resolution:
50 ft./±1/4 in./1/16 in.
• Measurement unit: feet + fractional inches
• Display: 5-digit LCD measuring 1 x 1/2 in.,
with 1/4 in. high digits
• Laser automatically powers off after 15 seconds
(for safety reasons)
• Display automatically powers off after 60 seconds
(to conserve battery charge)
• Battery charge indicator
• Power source: Two “AAA” Alkaline batteries (included)
• Typical battery life: >3,000 measurements
• Laser output: <1mW (Class II) @ wavelength of
620 to 690 nm
• Operating temperature: 32º to 104ºF
• Storage temperature: 14º to 140ºF
• Dimensions: 3.187 x 1.313 x 0.938 in.
• Weight: 0.15 lbs.
• 1-year limited warranty
WARRANTY INFORMATION
General warrants its instruments and accessories, and
digital tools products against defects in material or
workmanship for one year from the date of purchase
unless otherwise stated on the packaging, user’s manual,
and/or marketing materials. General also warrants its nondigital tools products against defects in material or
workmanship on a limited lifetime term.
General will replace or repair the defective unit, at its
option, subject to verification of the defect.
This warranty does not apply to defects resulting from
abuse, neglect, accident, unauthorized repair, alteration,
or unreasonable use of the product. It also does not cover
products purchased from unauthorized distributors. A proof
of purchase must accompany each warranty claim.
Any implied warranties arising from the sale of a General
product, including but not limited to implied warranties of
merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose, are
limited to the above. General shall not be liable for loss of
use of the product or other incidental or consequential
damages, expenses, or economic loss, or for any claim of
such damage, expenses, or economic loss. State laws vary.
The above limitations or exclusions may not apply to you.
For more details or to file a warranty claim, contact
General Tools & Instruments Technical Support at
techsupport@generatools.com.
RETURN FOR REPAIR POLICY
Every effort has been made to provide you with a reliable
product of superior quality. However, in the event your
instrument requires repair, please contact our Customer
Service to obtain an RGA (Return Goods Authorization)
number before forwarding the unit via prepaid freight to
the attention of our Service Center at this address:
General Tools & Instruments
75 Seaview Drive
Secaucus, NJ 07094
212-431-6100
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