Leica DISTO D2 200ft Laser Distance Measurer

This is a very nice tool for measuring rooms and things if you do not require accuracy beyond an error tolerance of 1/8 of an inch. (*) I laid out several lines from a vertical "wall" in a well lit test location on a desk, the lines being exactly 1" apart, using a digital caliper accurate to 0.0005", just to see how consistent the Lecia Disto D2 is. I know the specs say +/- 1.5mm (approx. 1/16 inch), but I wanted to see how things actually played out. If the tool, for example, is consistent in adding or subtracting 1/16 inch, I could simply allow for that and use it on my project.I started measuring the distance from the wall to each line, visually aligning the line flush with the tail end of the Leica, and it started showing me EXACTLY 8.0", 9.0", 10.0", then started randomly adding or subtracting 1/16th of an inch, despite my best efforts to precisely align it each time. Even using the timer function did not change this. I found a way to sort of 'roll' my finger tip onto the measure button while holding the Leica perfectly still, so it did not move. But this is where the +/- 1/16 comes into play. No way to predict which way the tool will err within its specs, whether it will add or subtract . I don't blame the tool, just wanted to see how it actually handled that tolerance in the hope I could use it. However, I then saw that when I was even the tiniest bit "off" my line, I am talking maybe 0.010" off the line, the Leica also calculated that difference, and since it can only work in increments of 1/16, it has to round up or down, either added or subtracted ANOTHER 1/16 (*) due to "my" error of being less than perfect on the line. So what this adds up to is when I got to the next line, I could only count on a range of as much as 1/8 of an inch in accuracy. + 1/16, or - 1/16 for the tool's tolerance, and again +/- another 1/16 for my own accuracy using the tool (a possible range of 1/8 " overall). The reason I allowed for attempts in deliberately being off the line 'a little' is that it is a rare thing to find perfect 90 degree corners in architecture, especially as it ages. Many 30 year old homes I've seen only dream of "square" corners in drywall construction. So if measuring during remodeling for something like floor molding, the possible gap in the fit I would get while measuring with the D2 is just not going to be accurate enough. Which is the project I am currently doing.It's a very nice tool, quick to respond, and as accurate as the manufacturer intends. It is easy to read, even without the backlight being on, and VERY easy to read with the backlight. But it is not the right choice for me at the moment. So I returned it.

I use this tool to take room by room measurements of houses for HVAC heat load calculations. It's a definite time saver, no more trying to get a tape measure around furniture or through a attic. The Disto D2 is a little more expensive than some other distance measurers on the market but so far it has been worth every penny. It accurately measures distance to a sixteenth of an inch and has several useful functions such as: square footage, total square footage(it will total the square footage measurements if you press the + button between measurements), Pythagorean function (can be used to measure a wall without standing against the wall), volume, can measure up to 197 feet, and other functions that I have not used yet. The tool is light and compact and and has a very bright display.

Does the job and more.I was torn between spending the extra money for the Leica or just get the $99.00 Bosch. The most obvious difference being that the Leica has a back lit screen and the Bosch does not. Well I am glad I sprung for the better screen. No matter what the job site condition is or where you are measuring, you don't need to carry a flashlight. And since it stores the last 10 measurements automatically sometimes you don't even need a pencil and paper.All the buttons are obvious and intuitive. I have only just scratched the surface of this little guys capabilities and I am more than pleased. I am an old school tape measure guy, so learning to trust the measurements took me some time.So far I have used this for creating floor plans for estimates, measureing for material purchases, and doing my own at home crown moulding project. It takes a 2 man measureing job and makes it a one person job. Plus it is much faster. The visible laser is great because you can shoot under couches, behind curtains, over furniture, etc. So, for the most part, it elimiantes having to rearrange a room just to measure it.It's a bit much to spend for a Do-It-Youself-er, but if your hours are costing you money, it will more than pay for it self in the first week.

AN INSTRUCTION MANUAL WOULD HAVE BEEN NICE, SINCE THERE IS NOT EVEN ANY INDICATION OF WHICH WAY THE BATTERIES GET INSTALLED. ADMITTEDLY, I HAVE NOT SLAVED OVER THIS PROBLEM, SINCE I HAVE A WORKABLE LASER ALREADY FOR WORK. PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHERE TO GET A MANUAL.

it measures great, does a great job … but just that …i don't know if it pays that extra $$$

Backlit, very light, very small, very quick, very accurate. 10-register memory is very useful: you can take a string of dimensions and then write them down, plus it can add for you. Pythagorean function is useful, but requires a good deal of extra care to get an accurate number.Only downsides I'd say are that it has a little trouble in bright sunlight, and it doesn't seem to stand perfectly perpendicular to the floor by itself, although it's pretty hard to tell whether this really matters. The only other one I've used is an early Stanley. It was heavier, but at least gave the impression it sat perpendicular to the floor as it had a bigger base. It was a lot slower than this one though, and not backlit.