General Tools LDM60 User Manual
LASER DISTANCE METER
200 FT. (60m)
USER’S MANUAL
LDM60
Please read this manual carefully and thoroughly before using this product.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 –5
Key Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
What’s in the Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Product Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 –9
Safety Instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Setup Instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Install Batteries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Operating Instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 – 25
Powering On and Off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 – 11
Quick Start Instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Choosing a Measurement Reference . . . . . . . . 12
Clearing the Display/Cancelling an Action . . . . 13
Changing the Measurement Unit . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Turning the Backlight On and Off . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Measuring Distances . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 – 22
Direct Measurements . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 – 15
Continuous Distance Measurement
(Distance Tracking) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 – 16
Adding and Subtracting Distances . . . 17 – 18
Indirect Measurements of Height
or Length using Triangulation . . . . . 18 – 22
Measuring Areas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 – 23
Measuring Volumes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 – 24
Recalling and Clearing Stored
Measurements/Calculations . . . . . 24 – 25
Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Operating & Maintenance Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 – 28
Warranty Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Return for Repair Policy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
2
INTRODUCTION
Thank you for purchasing General Tools & Instruments’
(General’s) LDM60 Laser Distance Meter-200 ft. (60m). Please
read this user’s manual carefully and thoroughly before using the
instrument.
The LDM60 is designed to replace a tape measure for
professionals such as builders, architects, engineers, surveyors,
carpenters, plumbers, painters, electricians, realtors, home
inspectors, HVAC system designers and installers, and
carpet/flooring installers and salesmen. The meter works by
projecting a red laser beam on a target and measuring how long
it takes the reflected beam to return to the meter. This time is
proportional to the distance to the target. The LDM60’s range of
approximately 200 ft. (60m) makes it suitable for most indoor
measuring tasks and many outdoor jobs as well.
Why is the LDM60 better than a tape measure?
• It’s faster.
wall, aim at the opposite wall and press the measurement
button than to secure one end of a 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. That’s true for small rooms, and even more so for
larger spaces. The more crowded the area to be measured—
whether with furniture, equipment or trees—the greater the
time savings. The average measuring job can be completed in
about 1/3 the time needed to use a tape measure. In addition
to this time savings, there’s also a savings in labor costs; many
jobs that require two people holding the ends of a tape
measure can be done with one person holding a laser distance
meter.
It takes much less time to hold the meter against a
3
•
It’s more accurate.
Thanks to precision optics, laser devices
like the LDM60 can measure the distance between any two
points with ±1/16 in. (±1.5mm) accuracy. It’s impossible to get
that level of precision from a tape measure that is prone to
bending and sagging. What’s more, it’s much easier to read the
LDM60’s digital display, which can be held at eye level, than to
read a tape measure that needs to be held in a measuring
position that makes reading tiny hash marks difficult. In
addition, like most laser distance meters the LDM60 lets the
user choose his measurement unit. This eliminates the need to
convert measurements from one unit to another, a common
source of measurement error. Finally, the LDM60 automatically
memorizes the last 20 measurements it makes. This eliminates
the need to write down readings as you make them, another
convenience.
It’s smarter.
•
The LDM60 has some front-panel buttons that
you won’t find on any tape measure. Push the Area/Volume
button once, and the meter prompts you to make the length
and width measurements needed to calculate the size of an
area—and then does the math for you. Push the button twice,
and the meter prompts you to make height, length and width
measurements—and then multiplies the three values to
calculate the volume of interest. High-end laser distance
meters’ ability to calculate areas and volumes has made them
favorites with carpet/flooring and HVAC professionals,
respectively.
•
It’s more versatile.
Another button on the front panel of
the LDM60 makes it possible to make measurements that
no tape measure can make. This button activates Indirect
Measurement mode. In this mode the meter uses Pythagorean
geometry to measure a distance based on its relationship to
other distances around it. In practical terms, what this means
4
is that the LDM60 can use triangulation to measure the height
of a tree or a building without anyone needing to climb it, or
the width of a river without anyone needing to cross it.
•
It’s safer.
distance, it takes the risk out of routine but tricky tasks. It’s no
longer necessary to stand on a stepladder and reach to
measure the height of a ceiling, or to climb a steep and
slippery incline to gauge the length of a pipe run.
The LDM60 has a 4-line backlit liquid-crystal display measuring
1 (W) x 1.44 (H) in. The meter comes in a box along with two
“AAA” batteries, a soft carrying case with a belt loop (holster),
a small Phillips-head screwdriver and this user’s manual.
Because the LDM60 can measure distance from a
KEY FEATURES
• 196.7 ft. (60m) range • Accuracy of ±1/16 in. (±1.5mm)
• Displays distances in feet + fractional inches (default), feet
with decimal fraction, inches or meters
• Calculates areas and volumes
• Uses triangulation to calculate height or length from a distance
• Backlit 4-line LCD
• Addition, subtraction, and continuous measurement (tracking)
modes ideal for layout work
• Fast response time
• Stores/recalls 20 measurements/calculations
• References measurements from meter’s front or rear edge
• Auto power off, auto laser off and auto backlight off
• Splashproof and dustproof to IP54 standard
• Pocket-sized and lightweight
• Powered by two “AAA” Alkaline batteries
5
WHAT’S IN THE BOX
The LDM60 comes in a box along with:
• A holster (soft pouch with a belt loop)
• Two “AAA” Alkaline batteries
• A small Phillips-head screwdriver for opening the
battery compartment
• This user’s manual
PRODUCT OVERVIEW
Fig. 1 shows all of the controls on the meter’s front panel. Fig. 2
shows all possible display icons and indications. Familiarize
yourself with the positions and functions of these controls and
indicators before moving on to the safety, setup and operating
instructions.
Fig. 1. The LDM60’s front-panel controls
1. Measurement button (activates laser)
2. Enters Area/Volume Measurement mode
3. Enters Indirect Distance Measurement mode
4. Enters Continuous Distance Measurement (Tracking) mode
5. Adds next measurement to previous one
6. Subtracts next measurement from previous one
7. Enters Memory Recall mode
8. Toggles measurement reference between meter’s front
and rear
6
MEAS
1
2
4
5
7
8
1
2
3
6
9
10
1
2
4
5
7
8
Fig. 1
9. Dual function button: Chooses any of four distance units
10. Triple function button: Powers meters off
Turns display backlight on and off
Clears last measurement or cancels
last action
Clears (resets to zero) stored
measure ment/calculation values one
at a time, starting with the oldest
value
3
6
9
10
7
Fig. 2. The LDM60’s display indications and icons
1. Measurements referenced from front edge of meter
2. Flashes when laser is on
3. Measurements referenced from rear edge of meter
4. Operating in Direct or Continuous Measurement Mode
5. Operating error indication
6–10. Measurement type indicator
Distance (direct)
Distance (indirect—triangulation with two inputs)
Distance (indirect—triangulation with three inputs)
Area
Volume
11. Battery status
12. No. of stored value displayed
13. Top display line
14. Value displayed on second line is a minimum
15. Second display line
16. Value displayed on third line is a maximum
17. Third display line
18. Bottom (summary) display line (shows last
measurement or calculation result)
8
u
{
{
{
{
{
2
3
4
5
1 11 12
6,7,8,9,10
13
14
15
16
17
18
2
8
➤
11 12
1
2
13
14
3
4
5
6,7,8,9,10
Fig. 2
15
16
17
18
9
SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
MEAS
CAUTION!
The meter’s targeting laser is a Class 2M type that emits less
than 1 mW of radiation at 660 nanometers.
Avoid direct eye contact with the laser, and do not 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.
SETUP INSTRUCTIONS
INSTALL BATTERIES
The LDM60 is ready to use after you install the two supplied
“AAA” batteries in a compartment in the back of the meter. To
open the compartment, use the small supplied Phillips-head
screwdriver to loosen the single screw holding the battery
compartment cover in place. Remove the cover and set it aside.
Position the batteries so their polarity marks match the diagram
inside the compartment. Replace the cover and tighten the screw
to secure it.
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
POWERING ON AND OFF
To turn the meter on
activates the display and the laser. It also sounds a short beep,
causes the laser icon (Callout 2 of Fig. 2) to flash, and places the
meter in direct distance measurement mode.
10
, press and release the button. This
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