Perfectly levelled all round with the new 360° line laser from Leica Geosystems

(Heerbrugg, March 9, 2012)  -  The new Leica Lino L360 is the perfect tool for the tradesman. Whether for laying floors or bonding edging, for all interior and exterior levelling and aligning tasks, the line laser projects an exact horizontal laser line all round. The Leica Lino L360 is therefore an ideal addition to the line and dot lasers of the Leica Lino series.

Continuous and exact 360° laser lines

The Leica Lino L360 projects a laser line all round with millimetre accuracy. Reference points and lines can thus be quickly transferred from one wall to another without having to rotate the instrument. That is a crucial advantage when creating height reference points. Furthermore, the horizontal laser line can be projected very closely to the ground. This particularly simplifies laying floor coverings and controlling heights. Moreover, the Leica Lino L360 provides an additional 180° vertical laser line for further possible uses.

Self-levelling with simple user interface

The Leica Lino L360 can be set up easily and quickly. The user interface with only two keys is self-explanatory. Thanks to the self-levelling, minor inclinations are automatically compensated for. Where greater tilting occurs, the laser lines blink to indicate that the self-levelling function is no longer active. The self-levelling function can also be switched off manually using the lock function. On the one hand this serves as transport protection and on the other allows the laser lines to be projected in any position.

Rugged line laser, long battery life, matched accessories

The Leica Lino L360 is a rugged instrument with protection class IP65, i.e. it is dust proof and protected against hose water. Furthermore, thanks to the rechargeable battery pack, its lengthy operating time of up to 20 hours is also a convincing argument. A multi-functional adapter which can be used either as a small tripod or magnetic wall holder is included in the scope of supply.

For simply setting up the Leica Lino L360 and adjusting the height, Leica Geosystems can provide the new Leica TRI 70 elevator tripod (working height 40 to 115 cm) and the TRI 100 (working height 70 to 174 cm). With the Leica CET103 elevator tripod, a working height of up to 246 cm is provided.

Quality that pays dividends – 3 years warranty

Leica Geosystems stands for the highest quality. That’s why Leica Geosystems offer a 3-year warranty on all Leica DISTO™ instruments, if the customer registers the product within 8 weeks of the date of purchase at www.disto.com.

Tough enough

Housing and keypad are specially sealed against water and dust and conform to protection class IP65. This means that cleaning it under running water is no problem. On the inside, the device is strengthened with special fibreglass-reinforced plastic bracing. Solid rubber components protect the measuring elements against damage through dropping. These factors make the DISTO™ X310 an ideal measuring tool for day to day construction site work.

360°- tilt sensor and Smart Horizontal Mode™

The integrated tilt sensor is not just used for determining angles. The combination of angle and distance measuring opens completely new possibilities. If e.g. objects do not allow direct measuring of distance, the horizontal distance can be precisely measured using the Smart Horizontal Mode™. Heights can be quickly determined with the height tracking too, even if no suitable reflection point is available.

High functionality

The flip-out end piece allows exact location of the Leica DISTO™ X310 guaranteeing absolutely accurate measurements from edges or out of corners. At the same time the automatic end-piece detection helps to avoid expensive measuring errors. The Leica DISTO™ X310 can also calculate rectangular and triangular areas, volumes, room dimensions and various types of Pythagoras functions. A time delay release and sufficient memory for up to 20 measurements round off the multiple functions – providing a genuine labour saving.

Quality that pays dividends – 3 years warranty

Leica DISTO™ represents the highest quality. That’s why Leica Geosystems provide a three year guarantee for all Leica DISTO™ instruments, simply register on www.disto.com within eight weeks from the date of purchase.

(Heerbrugg, March 21, 2012) The range and accuracy of laser distance meters depend on light conditions and reflectivity of the measuring target. For Leica Geosystems it is important that the instruments not only perform under perfect laboratory conditions, but above all under the kind of everyday working conditions encountered on construction sites. This is why, working together with external experts, the company have developed a standard by which laser distance meters can be tested and compared with each other.

With almost 200 years experience, Leica Geosystems is the pioneer in the development and production of modern measuring technology and inventor of the hand-held laser distance meter. As the leading company in the market, Leica Geosystems has committed itself to making measuring instruments with praxis-oriented specifications, so that when they are used on site, they always do what it says on the box. As far as accuracy and range are concerned, this actually means that the specified performances are met under practical working conditions and not just under those perfectly prepared in the laboratory.

Differing factors, such as the structure of the surface and the color of the measuring point, the strength of ambient light and the temperature at which a measurement is taken, have a very significant effect on the accuracy and the maximum range achieved. These factors have not previously been defined by a standard, each manufacturer has used its own definition. It has therefore become increasingly difficult for the customer to make a comparison between the large and growing number of laser distance meters on the market. However, misunderstandings or imprecise data can result in serious unreliability of measurements or even expensive errors.

The new ISO Standard 16331-1, to which Leica Geosystems has made a significant contribution, defines in detail how information concerning accuracy and range must be presented and describes the necessary measuring procedures. This renders specifications of laser distance meters capable of being tested by independent institutions, thus making direct comparisons possible.

The ISO Standard 16331-1 takes the following measuring conditions into account:

Measurement under favorable conditions – conditions which often apply for interior use:

• Weak ambient light (3 klux)
• Measuring to white painted wall
• Room temperature

Measurement under unfavorable conditions – conditions which often apply for exterior use:

• Bright sunshine (30 klux)
• Measuring to white painted wall
• Total operating temperature range

Other measuring conditions can also be specified, for example:

• Measuring to a defined target plate
• Measuring to unfavorable measuring points with strong or weak reflectivity (metal surface or wet concrete)

A customer who purchases a laser distance meter which conforms to the ISO standard can arrive at reliable conclusions with respect to the maximum range and accuracy achievable under defined measuring conditions. This is crucial for assessing the advantages for everyday use on the construction site.

Leica Geosystems – when it has to be right

With close to 200 years of experience pioneering solutions to measure the world, Leica Geosystems products and services are trusted by professionals worldwide to help them capture, analyze, and present spatial information. Leica Geosystems is best known for its broad array of products that capture accurately, model quickly, analyze easily, and visualize and present spatial information.

Those who use Leica Geosystems products every day trust them for their dependability, the value they deliver, and the superior customer support. Based in Heerbrugg, Switzerland, Leica Geosystems is a global company with tens of thousands of customers supported by more than 3,500 employees in 28 countries and hundreds of partners located in more than 120 countries around the world. Leica Geosystems is part of the Hexagon Group, Sweden.

The Leica DISTO™ D8 allows you to measure roof lengths – gutter to ridge and the roof pitch safely and accurately from the ground with no additional health and safety risks from climbing and accurate measurements without costly errors.

The Leica DISTO™ D8 is fast becoming the professionals tool for measuring for the installation of solar / PV panels. All you need is a Leica DISTO™ D8, a tripod and an adaptor to obtain all the measurements you require. Even in hard to reach places the Leica DISTO™ D8 is the perfect partner to assist you.

The Leica DISTO™ D8 has various functions that allow you to measure a roof safely. The D8 incorporates a 360° tilt sensor which allows measurements to be taken that were previously impossible. You can measure the slope distance of the roof by taking just two measurements. Further useful information can be obtained, including the height of the roof, the pitch of the roof in angles and the length distance from the edge of the roof to under the apex. The D8 will also allow you to measure the width of the roof. Using the length of the pitch and the width you can then obtain the area of the roof.

Also with the Leica DISTO™ D8 you can measure heights of chimneys, trees or other obstacles that cause shading onto the roof.

When using laser distance meters outside, the biggest problem is seeing the laser dot and knowing that you are pin-pointing directly onto the surface or target that you are trying to aim at With the Leica DISTO™ D8 you can clearly see this through the digital screen which shows you in colour exactly where you are aiming. No problem on bright sunny days or over distances. No other laser distance meter allows you to do this on the market.

The only equipment that you need is the Leica DISTO™ D8, the Tri100 tripod and the TA360 adaptor.

The Leica DISTO™ D8 can also be used inside for measuring rooms, lengths for cable trunking and with a measuring distance of upto 200 metres the D8 is your complete partner for all measuring applications. You can also transfer your data to Microsoft office packages, AutoCad and other specific third party software. Not only does this save complete time and money but also prevents inaccurate copying of data when writing measurements down.

For more information please call our trained technical advisors on 08452 572 188. We regularly run free training courses across the country to help solar panels surveyors maximise the benefits of the Leica DISTO™ D8 so call to book you place.

Visit our site www.laser-measure.co.uk for the complete range of Leica DISTO™ laser measuring devices.

Two types of length measurement
See a lightning flash and start counting the seconds. If you get to 15, divide by three – and you know that the storm is still five kilometres away. This measuring principle, which is also used by laser devices, is known as the “running time procedure”.

The speed of light is much higher than that of sound, and the times involved are extremely short where distances are limited. It thus follows that short distances of just a few metres cannot be measured with any great accuracy using the running time procedure.

Leica DISTO devices therefore operate on the phase-shift principle, and are especially accurate over short distances – as you would indeed expect from a device known popularly as a “laser rule”.

A wave on a lake, for example, is measured from crest to crest. If the wind pushes such a wave against a jetty, we can see how a new wave runs back into the water. A comparison of the crests of the incoming and outgoing waves illustrates the phase-shift principle.

A wave of light
We must start off with a wave. But how can we create one out of light?

The light actually goes on and off 50 times per second, as we use an AC power supply to light up the bulb. The Leica DISTO is fitted not with a bulb, but with a semiconductor diode, which emits a guided laser beam. This light is switched on and off 200 million times per second with “alternating current”.

We use these millions of waves (on the same principle as the water lapping against the bank of the lake) to measure the distance concerned.

How many wave crests can fit into a given space?

We hang a length of rope from an object such as a house wall and stand holding the other end at a distance of about 15 metres from the wall (i.e. the distance that we wish to measure).

We then raise and lower the rope with regular up-and-down arm movements. The rope begins to oscillate and forms waves (like water).

A slowing of the arm movement causes the size of the wave to increase, until the 15 metres available is filled with a single wave.

An increase in the speed of the up-and-down arm movement decreases the size of the waves (e.g. to three metres each). The same distance to the house wall is now occupied by various waves.

This is exactly how the Leica DISTO works.

A laser beam is used to emit various different waves simultaneously. With a frequency of 200 million waves (their speed regulated by the equivalent of the arm movements in the above example), it is possible to be accurate to the millimetre, while lower frequencies determine the higher fractions of a metre and the lowest frequency measures the number of metres.

As the crests and troughs of a laser wave are, unlike the oscillating length of rope, invisible to the naked eye, we have to resort to some technological trickery – which brings us back to the example of waves lapping against a jetty: the difference between the incoming and outgoing waves of light (i.e. the phase shift) can be measured by means of sophisticated electronics, allowing the distance to be determined to the nearest millimetre.

We recommend you undertake these checks on a regular basis for your Leica Lino L2+ or leica lino L2P5.

Checking the accuracy of the leveling

Set the instrument on a tripod half-way between two walls (A+B) that are approx. 5 m apart. Place the Lock switch 3 in the “Unlocked” () position. Direct the instrument at wall A and switch on the instrument. Activate the horizontal laser line or laser dot and mark the position of the line or the dot on wall A (-> A1). Rotate the instrument by 180° and mark the horizontal laser line or the laser dot in exactly the same way on wall B (-> B1). Then place the instrument at the same elevation as close as possible to wall A and again mark the horizontal laser line or the laser dot on wall A (-> A2) . Rotate the instrument by 180° again and mark the laser on wall B (-> B2). Measure the distances of the marked points A1-A2 and B1-B2. Calculate the difference of the two measurements. If the difference does not exceed 2mm, then the Leica Lino is within tolerance. | (A1 – A2) – (B1 – B2) | ≤ 2 mm

Checking the accuracy of the horizontal line: (only Lino L2 and Lino L2P5)

Place the Lock switch 3 in the “Unlocked” position. Position the instrument approx. 5m away from the wall. Direct the instrument at the wall and switch on with the LASER key 1. Activate the laser line with the LASER key 1 and mark the intersection point of laser crosshairs on the wall. Swivel the instrument to the right and then to the left. Observe the vertical deviation of the horizontal line from the marking. If the difference does not exceed 3mm, then the Leica Lino is within tolerance.

Checking the accuracy of the vertical line: (only Lino L2 and Lino L2P5)

Place the Lock switch 3 in the “Unlocked” position. As reference, use a plumb-bob and attach it as close as possible to an approx. 3m high wall. Position the instrument at a distance of approx. 1.5m from the wall at an elevation of approx. 1.5m. Direct the instrument at the wall and switch on with the LASER key 1. Activate the laser line with the LASER key 1. Rotate the instrument and align it with the bottom of the plumb line. Now read off the maximum deviation of the laser line from the top of the plumb line. If the difference does not exceed 2mm, then the Leica Lino is within tolerance.

Checking the accuracy of the vertical plumbing: (only Lino P3, Lino P5 and Lino L2P5)
Place the Lock switch 3 in the “Unlocked” position.

Checking the upper plumbing point:

Checking the lower plumbing point:

Set up the laser on its tripod or wall mount bracket near point A1 at a minimum distance of 1.5 m from point B1. The horizontal laser is aligned in direction 1. Mark the laser dots A1 and B1 with a pin. Rotate the instrument by 180° so that it points in the opposite direction 2 to direction 1. Adjust the instru-ment so that the laser beam hits point A1 exactly. If point B2 is no further than 2 mm away from point B1, then the Leica Lino is within tolerance.

Should your Leica Lino products be outside of the specified tolerance , please contact us as the UK Authorised Leica dealer at www.laser-measure.co.uk or call 08452 572188.

Specific training is available for Solar panel / PV panel installers using the Leica Disto D8 laser measure that can measure roof pitches and roof slope lengths quickly and easily from the ground.  Find out more .. or call 08452 572 188

The New Leica laser level – The Leica Lino L2+ will also be making its debut.  The Leica lino L2+ is Leica’s second generation of the small self leveling laser level that has become popular as the brightest laser level in its class.  The New Leica Lino L2+ has increased breadth of line projection.  The cross line laser level now projects lines vertically behind the laser maintains a brightness and line clarity projecting nearly 180 degrees in the horizontal plane.  The New Leica lino L2+ comes with hard and soft cases and a multifunctional wall and tripod mount.  See more on www.laser-measure.co.uk or visit us at the show.

Leica Laser Levels

As main Leica Geosystems survey equipment dealers we have created a dedicated site for all customers interested in the large range of Leica Rotating laser Levels.  Trade Survey is run by our specialist team and details of the Leica Laser levels on our website www.tradesurvey.co.uk.

Leica Disto classic 5a

It has been a good month as we see the market improving.  This month we have seen a number of excellent trade in models becoming available.  Many of our customers are trading the older Classic series for the new Leica Disto D3a or Leica Disto D5 for external measuring.

This means we have a number of recondition units available for purchase this month including:

Leica Disto Classic 5 and Leica Disto Classic 5a

We also have 2 excellent condition Leica Disto A5 laser measures

Plus 2 * Leica Disto A2 laser measures that have never been used and still in their original boxes.

For prices and availability please call the office on 08452 572 188

TRADE IN’s – if you are interested in trading in your old Leica Disto laser measure for one of the new Leica Disto D series please see website www.laser-measure.co.uk or call 08452 572 188

Available today we have:

Leica Disto Classic 4

Leica Disto Classic 5 and Disto Classic 5a

Leica Disto Lite 4 and Leica Disto Lite 5

Leica Disto D2 laser Measure see: Leica Disto D2

Leica Disto D3 Laser Measure see: Leica Disto D3

Any questions about what is the Best Leica Disto laser measure for you needs please feel free to call 08452 572 188 or review the rest of the website www.laser-measure.co.uk