Leica DISTO A3 User Manual

Leica DISTO™ A3

The original laser distance meter

User Manual

Version 1.1

English

Congratulations on your purchase of a Leica DISTO™.

The safety instructions can be
found in a separate booklet, which
accompanies this user manual. The

safety instructions along with the
user manual should be read carefully before initial
operation.

Helpful Hint: The first and last page including the
pictures should be folded out and left open, whilst
reading through the manual. Letters and Numbers in
braces {} refer to the illustrations.

Content

Start-up................................................................ 1

Operation.............................................................2

Measuring ............................................................ 3

Functions .............................................................3

Appendix.............................................................. 4

Leica DISTO™ A3 1.1.0 gb

Start-up

Inserting / Replacing Batteries

See figure {C} - Push locking mechanism to the right
and push the cover of the battery compartment
downwards and open it. Place the batteries in the
compartment making sure they are correctly inserted.
Push the cover of the compartment back and let it
lock in place.
The battery symbol {B, 4} appears permanently

blinking in the display when the battery voltage is too

low. The batteries should be replaced as soon as
possible.

• Pay attention to correct polarity.

• Use alkaline batteries.

• Batteries should be removed if the device will not
be used for a long time (danger of corrosion).

When changing the batteries the settings and stack
content remain unchanged.

Level

The integrated bubble level allows simple horizontal
leveling of the instrument.

1

Start-up

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Keypad

See figure {A}:
1 ON/MEASURING key
2 PLUS + key
3 AREA/VOLUME key
4 MEASUREMENT REFERENCE key
5 CLEAR/OFF key
6 UNITS/ (ILLUMINATION) key
7 STORAGE key
8 MINUS - key

Display

See figure {B}

1 Information on faulty measurements

2Laser "ON"
3 Measurement reference (front / rear)
4 Battery indication
5 Area / Volume
6 Hardware error
7 Main line
8 Units with exponents (
9 Minimum value of continuous measurement
10 Three auxiliary lines (e.g. previous values)
11 Maximum value of continuous measurement
12 Historical storage recall

Operation

2/3

)

Selecting Units

Press UNITS - key {A, 6} until desired unit appears.

Possible units:

Distance Area Volume

0.000 m

0.00 m

0.00 ft

1

0.00

1

0' 0''

0.0 in

1

0

/16 in

/

ft in

16

/

16

0.000 m² 0.000 m³

0.00 m² 0.00 m³

0.00 ft² 0.00 ft³

0.00 ft² 0.00 ft³

0.00 ft² 0.00 ft³

0.00 ft² 0.00 ft³

0.00 ft² 0.00 ft³

Operation

Switching On/Off

ON: Press ON - key {A, 1} briefly. Battery indica-

tion is displayed until the next keystroke.

OFF: Press and hold OFF - key {A, 5}. To maximize

battery life the device will automatically turn
off after 3 minutes of inactivity.

2

Leica DISTO™ A3 1.1.0 gb

CLEAR Key

Pushing the CLEAR - key {A, 5} clears the last entry
or measurement. Within a function (area, volume,
etc.) single measurements can be deleted step by
step and re-measured.

Illumination

Pressing the ILLUMINATION - key {A, 6} turns on the

display backlight. Another press turns it off again.

Switching off the device (or automatic switch off)
also turns off the light.

Reference Setting

The default reference setting is from the rear of the
instrument. By pressing the REFERENCE - key {A, 4},
the setting can be changed, so that the next
measurement taken will be from the "front" of the in­strument. Afterwards the reference setting automat­ically defaults back to rear. See picture {D}.

Measuring

Single Distance Measuring

Pressing DIST - key {A, 1} turns the laser on. Aim at
the desired target and press DIST - key {A, 1} again.
The measured distance is displayed immediately in
the chosen unit.

Leica DISTO™ A3 1.1.0 gb

Minimum/Maximum Measuring

This function allows the user to measure the
minimum or maximum distance from a fixed
measuring point as well as to determine spacing - see
figure {E}. It is commonly used to measure diagonal
distances (maximum values) or horizontal distances
(minimum values).

Press and hold DIST - key {A, 1} until you hear a
beep, indicating the device is in a continuous
measuring mode. Then slowly sweep the laser back
and forth respectively up and down over the desired
target point - see figure {F, G} - (e.g. a corner in the
room).
Press DIST - key {A, 1} again and the continuous
measurement will be stopped. The current values for
maximum and minimum distances are shown in the
display as well as the last measured value in the main
line.

Functions

Addition / Subtraction

Take the first measurement, addition is executed by
pressing the PLUS - key {A, 2} and subtraction by
pressing the MINUS - key {A, 8}, then take the next
measurement. This process can be repeated as many
times as is required. The result is displayed in the
main line, whilst the last measurement taken is also
displayed. Pushing the CLEAR - key {A, 5} undoes the
last step.

3

Measuring

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Areas and volumes can be added / subtracted in
exactly the same manner.

Area

Press AREA/VOLUME - key {A, 3}. The corresponding
symbol {B, 5} appears in the display. The first side to
be measured flashes on the display. Take the two
measurements, the result will be displayed in the
main line.

Volume

Press AREA/VOLUME - key {A, 3} twice. The corre­sponding symbol {B, 5} appears in the display. The
first distance to be measured flashes on the display.
When 3 measurements have been taken the result
will be displayed in the main line.

Historical storage

Pressing the STORAGE - key {A, 7} shows the last 19
displays in reverse order. Using the PLUS - key {A, 2}
and the MINUS - key {A, 8} allows to navigate in the

storage.

In order to leave the storage press either CLEAR - key
{A, 5}, DIST - key {A, 1} or the AREA/VOLUME - key
{A, 3}. Press and hold the STORAGE - key {A, 7} until
a beep, allows the user to take the selected result to
carry on with calculations.

Appendix

Appendix

Message Codes

All message codes will be displayed with either "InFo"
or "Error".
The following mistakes can be corrected:

InFo Cause Remedy
204
252

253
255

256

257

260

4

Calculation error Repeat procedure
Temperature too

high
Temperatur too low Warm up instrument
Receiver signal too

weak, measurement
time too long,

Received signal too
powerful

Wrong measure­ment, ambient
brightness too high

Laser beam inter­rupted

Error Cause Remedy

Hardware error Switch on/off the

Cool down instrument

Use target plate

Use target plate
(grey side)

Use target plate
(brown side)

Repeat measurement

device several times
and check if the
symbol still appears. If
so please call your
dealer for assistance.

Leica DISTO™ A3 1.1.0 gb

Technical Data

Range (use target plate

for longer distances)

Measuring accuracy up
to 30 m (2 σ standard
deviation)

Smallest unit displayed 1 mm
Laser class II
Laser type 635 nm, < 1 mW
Ø laser spot (at

distance)
Automatic switch off after 180 s

Illumination of display 9
Minimum, Maximum,

Continuous Measuring
Addition/Subtraction 9
Historical storage 9 (19)

Battery life,
Type AAA, 2 x 1.5 V

IP rating IP 54

Dimension and weight 135x45x31 mm, 145 g
Temperature range:

Storage

Operating

* maximum deviation occurs under unfavourable conditions
such as bright sunlight or when measuring to poorly
reflecting or very rough surfaces.

Leica DISTO™ A3 1.1.0 gb

0.05 m to 100 m

0.2 ft to 328 ft
typ.: ± 3 mm*

6 / 30 / 60 mm

(10 / 50 / 100 m)

9

up to 5000

measurements

splash proof, dust proof

-25°C to +70°C

(-13°F to +158°F)

-10°C to +50°C

(-14°F to +122°F)

For distances over 30 m - without using a target plate - the
maximum deviation may increase to a maximum of ± 10 mm.

Measuring Conditions

Measuring Range

The measuring range is limited to 100 m.

At night, at dusk and when the target is shadowed
the measuring range without target plate is
increased.

Use a target plate to increase the measurement
range during daylight or if the target has a bad reflec­tion.

Measuring Surfaces

Measuring errors can occur when measuring toward
colourless liquids (e.g. water) or dust free glass,
styrofoam or similar semi-permeable surfaces.

Aiming at high gloss surfaces deflects the laser beam
and measurement errors can occur.

Against non-reflective and dark surfaces the
measuring time can be increased.

Care

Do not immerse the unit in water. Wipe off dirt with
a damp, soft cloth. Do not use aggressive cleaning
agents or solutions. Treat the optical surfaces with
the same care that you would apply to eyeglasses
and cameras.

5

Appendix

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Warranty

The Leica DISTO™ A3 comes with a two (2) year
warranty from Leica Geosystems AG.

More detailed information can be found at:

www.disto.com

All illustrations, descriptions and technical specifica­tions are subject to change without prior notice.

Appendix

6

Leica DISTO™ A3 1.1.0 gb

Leica Geosystems AG
CH-9435 Heerbrugg
(Switzerland)
www.disto.com

Leica Geosystems AG, Heerbrugg, Switzerland has been certified as being equipped with a
quality system which meets the International Standards of Quality Management and Quality
Systems (ISO standard 9001) and Environmental Management Systems (ISO standard 14001).

Total Quality Management - Our commitment to total customer satisfaction. Ask your local
Leica Geosystems agent for more information about our TQM program.

Printed in Switzerland - Copyright Leica Geosystems AG, Heerbrugg, Switzerland 2005
Translation of original text (743364a-1.1.0)

Pat. No.: WO 9427164, WO 9818019, WO 0244754, WO 0216964,

US 5949531, EP 1195617