Leica DISTO A5 User Manual

Leica DISTO™ A5

The original laser distance meter

User Manual

Version 1.3

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

Menu functions ................................................... 3

Operation.............................................................4

Measuring ............................................................ 4

Functions ............................................................. 5

Appendix .............................................................. 8

Leica DISTO™ A5 1.3.0 gb

Start-up

Inserting / replacing Batteries

See figure {C} - Open the positioning bracket.
Remove the locking clip and slide the endpiece down.
Slide the red locking mechanism to the side and open
the battery compartment. Insert new or replace used
batteries. Close battery cover, reinsert the endpiece
and fix locking clip.

The battery symbol {B, 19} 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.

Multifunctional Endpiece

See figure {D}
The device can be used for different measurement
situations:

• For measurements from an edge open the posi­tioning bracket until it locks in place.
See figure {E}.

• For measurements from a corner, open the posi­tioning bracket until it locks in place, with a slight

1

Start-up

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push to the right the bracket can be turned
further. See figure {D and F}.

A built-in sensor automatically detects the orienta­tion of the positioning bracket and calculates the
corresponding distances accordingly.

Integrated telescopic viewfinder

The device is equipped with a telescopic viewfinder
on the right hand side. The viewfinder is especially
helpful when aiming at distant targets. When looking
through the viewfinder, the target is clearly visible
thanks to the 2x magnification. At distances beyond
30 m laser spot is centered on the crosshair, below
30 m the laser spot appears on the edge of the cros­shair, which is normal.

Level

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

Keypad

See figure {A}:
1 ON/MEASURING

2 PLUS [+]
3 TIMER
4 EQUAL [=]
5 AREA/VOLUME

6STORAGE

7 MEASUREMENT REFERENCE
8 CLEAR/OFF

Start-up

9 MENU
10 INDIRECT MEASUREMENT (PYTHAGORAS)
11 ILLUMINATION
12 MINUS [-]

Display

See figure {B}
1 Information about faulty measurements
2 Laser active
3 Circumference
4 Maximum value of continuous measurement
5 Minimum value of continuous measurement
6 Measurement reference
7 Recall of Historical Storage
8 Storage of constant
9 Main line
10 Units with exponents (
11 Ceiling area
12 Wall area
13 Three auxiliary lines (e.g. previous results)
14 Hardware error
15 Indirect measurement - Pythagoras
16 Indirect measurement - Pythagoras - partial

height

17 Area / Volume
18 Offset setting
19 Battery indication

2

2/3

)

Leica DISTO™ A5 1.3.0 gb

Menu functions

Presettings

The menu allows selection of the settings that will
remain in memory after the instrument is switched
off.

Navigation in the Menu

Press the MENU -key {A, 9} repeatedly to scroll
through the possible menu functions (UNIT, OFFSET,
TRIPOD, RESET).

When the desired menu option appears, select it with
the EQUAL - key {A, 4}, scroll through the possible
settings with the PLUS - key {A, 2} or the MINUS -
key {A, 12} and store the selected setting with the
EQUAL - key {A, 4}. Press CLEAR - key {A, 8} to leave
the menu without saving any changes in the settings.

Selecting Units

"UNIT" blinks in the display.
Possible units:

Distance Area Volume

0.000 m

0.00 m
0 mm

0.00 ft

0.00

Leica DISTO™ A5 1.3.0 gb

1

/

ft in

32

0.000 m² 0.000 m³

0.00 m² 0.00 m³

0.000 m² 0.000 m³

0.00 ft² 0.00 ft³

0.00 ft² 0.00 ft³

Distance Area Volume

0' 0'' 1/

0.0 in

1

/32 in

0

32

0.00 ft² 0.00 ft³

0.00 ft² 0.00 ft³

0.00 ft² 0.00 ft³

Measure with offset

An offset automatically adds or subtracts a value to/
from ALL measurements. With this feature toler­ances can be taken into consideration e.g. between
unfinished and finished dimensions.

Select the menu function OFFSET {B, 18} (OFFSET
blinks in the display), confirm with the EQUAL - key
{A, 4}. Adjust the OFFSET with the PLUS - key {A, 2}
or the MINUS - key {A, 12}.
By holding the keys down, the setting values will
increase/decrease faster. Once you have entered the
proper offset confirm your selection with the EQUAL

- key {A, 4}. As long as an OFFSET {B, 18} is added/

subtracted the symbol is visible on the display.

Measuring with tripod

Using a tripod eliminates shaking when measuring
over long distances. On the back of the instrument is
an industry standard ¼"-threaded hole for use with a
camera tripod mounting screw. For correct measure­ments the reference needs to be adapted. Select the
menu function TRIPOD {B, 6} ("triPod" blinks in the
display) and confirm with the EQUAL - key {A, 4}.

3

Menu functions

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Reset

When you select the menu function RESET ("rESET"
will blink in the display) and press the EQUAL-key
{A, 4} twice the device will default to factory
settings.

CAUTION: Any customized presettings as well as
stored values will be deleted.

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, 8}. To maximize

battery life the laser beam will switch off after
3 minutes of inactivity, the device will auto­matically switch off after 6 minutes of inacti­vity.

CLEAR key

Pushing the CLEAR - key {A, 8} clears the last entry
or measurement. Within a function (area, volume,
etc.) single measurements can be deleted step by
step and remeasured.

Illumination

Pressing the ILLUMINATION - key {A, 11} turns on/
off the display backlight.

Operation

Measuring reference

If the positioning bracket is folded out, the device
recognizes the position, adapts the reference and
calculates distances accordingly.

The default reference setting is from the rear of the
instrument. By pressing the REFERENCE - key {A, 7},
the setting can be changed, so that the next measu­rement taken will be from the "front" of the in-stru­ment. Afterwards the reference setting automatically
defaults back to rear. See picture {G}.
You can choose the "front" reference permanently by
pressing the REFERENCE - key {A, 7} longer. Press
the REFERENCE - key {A, 7} longer another time to
change back to the "rear" reference.
See also "Measuring with tripod".

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.

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
{H}.
It is commonly used to measure diagonal distances

4

Leica DISTO™ A5 1.3.0 gb

(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 {I, J} - (e.g. a corner in the
room).
Press DIST - key {A, 1} again and the continuous
measurement will be stopped. The 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

To add or subtract two or more measurements simply
works as follows:

Measurement +/- Measurement +/- Measure­ment +/- …. = RESULT

Pressing the EQUAL - key {A, 4} ends the sequence
and displays the result in the main line; the actual
measurements are scrolled upwards in the display.
Pushing the CLEAR - key {A, 8} undoes the most
recent operation.

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

Area

Press the AREA/VOLUME - key {A, 5} once for the

Leica DISTO™ A5 1.3.0 gb

area function. The corresponding symbol appears in
the display. When both measurements have been
taken the result will be automatically calculated and
displayed in the main line.
Press the AREA/VOLUME - key {A, 5} longer to calcu­late the circumference {B, 3}. Press the AREA/
VOLUME - key {A, 5} longer again to return to the
previous area measurement.
If you want to measure another area, press AREA/

VOLUME - key {A, 5} again.

Special Function:
Sides to be measured can be made up of several
distances.

If necessary, all sides of your area measurement can
be made up of several partial measurements. Choose
the area mode. Press the PLUS - key {A, 2} or MINUS

- key {A, 12} before you start with the first partial

measurement. Proceed with the first partial measure­ment by pressing DIST - key {A, 1}. In the display an
addition or subtraction symbol appears. Make the
first partial measurement, press PLUS - key {A, 2} or
MINUS - key {A, 12} and make the second partial
measurement. Unlimited partial measurements can
be summed up or subtracted. To finish the distance
measurement press the EQUAL - key { A, 4}. The
second distance can be made up of partial distances
with the same method. The area result is shown as
usual in the main line.

5

Functions

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Volume

Press the AREA/VOLUME - key {A, 5} twice for the
volume function. The corresponding symbol appears
in the display. When 3 measurements have been
taken the result will be automatically calculated and
displayed in the main line.

Press the AREA/VOLUME - key {A, 5} longer to
display additional room information such as ceiling/
floor area, surface area of the walls, circumference.
Press the AREA/VOLUME - key {A, 5} long again to
return to the previous volume measurement.

If you want to measure another volume press AREA/

VOLUME - key {A, 5} again.

Special Function:
Sides to be measured can be made up of several
distances.

If necessary, all sides of your volume measurement
can be made up of several partial measurements.
Choose the volume mode. Press the PLUS - key {A, 2}
or MINUS - key {A, 12} before you start with the first
partial measurement. Proceed with the first partial
measurement by pressing DIST - key {A, 1}. In the
display an addition or subtraction symbol appears.
Make the first partial measurement, press PLUS - key
{A, 2} or MINUS - key {A, 12} and make the second
partial measurement. Unlimited partial measure­ments can be summed up or subtracted. To finish the
distance measurement press the EQUAL - key { A, 4}.
The second and the third distance can be made up of

Functions

partial distances with the same method. The volume
result is shown as usual in the main line.

Indirect Measuring

The device can calculate distances using Pythagoras'
theorem. This method is useful when the distance to
be measured is difficult or dangerous to access.

• The met hod is only us ed t o estimat e di stances, it
cannot replace an accurate measurement.

• Make sure you strictly follow the sequence of the
measurements

• All target points need to be vertically or horizon­tally in the same plane

• Best results can be expected if the device is
turned around a fixed point (e.g. positioning
bracket folded out completely and the device is
held towards a wall)

• It is highly recommended to use the "Minimum/
maximum measuring" by pressing the DIST ­key {A, 1} longer. The minimum value is used for
the measurements perpendicular towards the
target respectively the maximum value for the
other measurements. This increases the accuracy
of the indirect measuring considerably.

Indirect Measuring - Determination with two
points

See figure {K}
Press the PYTHAGORAS - key {A, 10} until the
correct symbol appears on the display. The distance

6

Leica DISTO™ A5 1.3.0 gb

to be measured will flash in the display. Take the
necessary measurements. The result and the single
measurements appear on the display.
CAUTION: Right angle is necessary between the
second measurement and the resulting distance. We
recommend to press the DIST - key {A, 1} longer to
activate the perpendicular (min.) measuring function.

Indirect Measuring - Determination with three
points

See figure {L}
Press the PYTHAGORAS - key {A, 10} until the

correct symbol appears on the display. The length to
be measured appears flashing on the display. Take
the necessary measurements. The result and the
single measurements appear on the display.
CAUTION: Right angle is necessary between the
second measurement and the resulting distance. We
recommend to press the DIST - key {A, 1} longer to
activate the perpendicular (min.) measuring function.

Indirect Measuring - Determination of a parti­al height with three points

See figure {M}
Press the PYTHAGORAS - key {A, 10} until the
correct symbol appears on the display. The length to

be measured appears flashing on the display. Take
the necessary measurements. The result and the
single measurements appear on the display.

CAUTION: Right angle is necessary between the third
measurement and the resulting distance. We recom­mend to press the DIST - key {A, 1} longer to activate

Leica DISTO™ A5 1.3.0 gb

the perpendicular (min.) measuring function.

Storage of Constants/Historical
Storage

Storage of a Constant

It is possible to store and recall a frequently used
value e.g. height of a room. Measure the desired
distance, press and hold STORAGE - key {A, 6} until
the device beeps to confirm the storage.

Recalling the constant

Press STORAGE - key {A, 6} to recall the constant
and make it available with a press on the EQUAL - key
{A, 4} for further calculations.

Special function: Adjusting the constant

A measured value can be adjusted. If you press the
EQUAL - key {A, 4}, the value starts blinking and can
be adjusted with the PLUS - key {A, 2} or MINUS ­key {A, 12}. Through pressing the EQUAL - key {A, 4}
again the adjustment is confirmed. Now the value can
be stored as usual as a constant.

Historical Storage

Press STORAGE - key {A, 6} twice quickly and the
previous 20 results (measurements or calculated
results) are shown in reverse order. Using the PLUS ­key {A, 2} and the MINUS - key {A, 12} allows to
navigate in the historical storage. Press EQUAL - key
{A, 4} to take a result from the historical storage to
use for further calculations.

7

Functions

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Timer

Press and hold TIMER - key {A, 3} until desired time
delay has been reached (5 - 60 seconds).

Press DIST - key {A, 1}. Once the key is released the
remaining seconds until measurement are displayed.
The last 5 seconds are counted down with a beep.
After the last beep the measurement is taken.

Special function: Switch off of Beep

Pressing MENU - key {A, 9} and MINUS - key {A, 12}
together for 4 sec. switches the Beep off or on.

Appendix

Message Codes

All message codes will be displayed with either "InFo"
or "Error".

The following mistakes can be corrected:

InFo Cause Remedy
204
206

252

253
255

Appendix

Calculation error Repeat procedure
No endpiece detec-

tion

Temperature too
high

Temperatur too low Warm up instrument
Receiver signal too

weak, measurement
time too long,
distance > 100 m

Attach the endpiece
properly. If error still
occurs, replace the
endpiece.

Cool down instrument

Use target plate

InFo Cause Remedy

256

257

260

Received signal too
powerful

Wrong measure­ment, ambient
brightness too high

Laser beam inter­rupted

Error Cause Remedy

Hardware error Switch on/off the

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.

Technical Data

Range (use target plate
for longer distances)

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

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

distance)
Autom. switch off laser 3 min
Autom. switch off

instrument 6 min

8

0.05 m to 200 m

0.2 ft to 650 ft
typ.: ± 1.5mm*

6 / 30 / 60 mm

(10 / 50 / 100 m)

Leica DISTO™ A5 1.3.0 gb

Integrated telescopic
viewer 2x magnification

Display illumination 9
Integrated level 9
Multifunctional

endpiece 9
Timer 9
Single Measurement 9
Maximum, Minimum,

Continuous Measure­ment 9

Historical storage of 20 values
Indirect Measuring

functions with Pytha­goras

Storage of constant 9
Area/Volume calculation

with room calculations 9
Addition/Subtraction 9
Tripod thread 9
Battery life,

Type AA, 2 x 1.5V
IP rating IP 54

Dimension 148 x 64 x 36 mm
Weight (with batteries) 241 g
Temperature range:

Storage

Operating

Leica DISTO™ A5 1.3.0 gb

splash proof, dust proof

9

up to 10 000

measurements

-25°C to +70°C

(-13°F to +158°F)

-10°C to +50°C

(-14°F to +122°F)

* maximum deviation occurs under unfavourable conditions
such as bright sunlight or when measuring to poorly
reflecting or very rough surfaces. For distances over 30 m the
maximum deviation may increase to a maximum of ± 10 mm.

Measuring Conditions

Measuring Range

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.

9

Appendix

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Warranty

The Leica DISTO™ A5 comes with a three* 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.

* To receive the three year warranty, the product must be regis­tered on our website www.disto.com within eight weeks of the
purchase date. If the product is not registered, a two year
warranty applies.

Appendix

10

Leica DISTO™ A5 1.3.0 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 2007
Translation of original text (743365d)

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

US 5949531, EP 1195617