LEICA DISTO D5R - COMPLETE FAQ
Up to 200 m with a target plate.
m, cm, mm, ft, in, ft+in, fractional inches, decimal inches.
–10°C to +50°C (operating), –25°C to +70°C (storage).
Yes—the D5R has an extending tail piece for measuring from internal corners and recesses. When the tail piece is extended, the DISTO automatically switches the reference point and automatically adds the tail‑piece length onto the measurement, ensuring accurate corner readings.
To measure accurately from internal corners, recesses, and tight spaces where a standard front or rear reference would be inaccurate.
Single distance, continuous measuring, Min/Max, area, volume, indirect height (Pythagoras), smart horizontal, stake‑out, angle measurement, tilt measurement, timer, measurement memory, add/subtract.
Yes—the + and – keys allow you to add or subtract measurements directly on the device, useful for combining or adjusting measured values without manual calculation.
Built‑in rechargeable battery.
For example, if an angle of 10° and a distance of 10 m is measured, the max. error for the direct horizontal distance (fd) is 3 mm. To get the best result with indirect measurements, taking into account the deviation, the unit should be held as flat as possible.
The error for the horizontal distance (fd) and the error for the height (fh) can be calculated as follows depending on the measured angle:
fd = error of the horizontal distance
fh = error of the height
d = measured distance
a = angle at which the distance is measured
fa = possible angular error
fd = d * cos (a) – d * cos (a + fa)
fh= d * sin (a) – d * sin (a + fa)
You can see further details and a table of the resulting errors under the heading FAQ Measurement Accuracy.
Yes, the history memory can be deleted by pressing the “delete” button with the bin symbol. Please note that all data will be deleted.
Yes, in the settings, the icon “Distance offset” can be selected and a value can be entered, which is then added to or subtracted from each measurement. If an offset value is entered, this is shown in the display with a small triangle and a plus or minus next to the laser symbol.
If the measurement is not yet completed, an hourglass is shown in the status bar of the display. The hourglass is shown in the display until the measurement is completed. The unit should not be moved beforehand!
To activate the key lock?
The key lock can be activated in the settings. To deactivate it when the unit is being switched on, press the = button.
To deactivate the key lock?
The key lock can be deactivated in the settings. To deactivate it when the unit is being switched on, press the = button.
The measurement reference must be adjusted for tripod measurement. For this purpose, as soon as the laser has been activated (pointing mode), you must select the button for setting the measurement reference (down arrow key). Here you can now set the measurement reference to tripod. After switching off, the unit goes back to the standard setting (measuring from behind).
Height tracking shows the indirect height. The combination of inclination and distance measurement on walls opens up the possibility of this indirect calculation. It is a useful function when you cannot measure the height directly or when different height measurement points have to be measured on the same vertical line.
In the settings, select the option Favorites. Now select the function you want to use as your favorite function. Then press the key on the left or right below the display to which you want to assign this function.
The unit uses Bluetooth® 5.0 (also known as Bluetooth Low Energy) technology. The device can be used to transfer data to smartphones or tablet PCs that have Bluetooth® 4.0 or higher. The devices must also have an operating system version that supports this Bluetooth® standard, this is the case for iOS, Android 4.3 or higher and Windows® 10 and 11.
Yes. With the Leica DISTO D5 it is possible to transfer measurement data to Apple mobile devices (iPhone 4S, iPhone 5, iPhone 5S, iPhone 5C, iPad 3, iPad 4, iPad mini, iPod touch (Gen.5) –> Bluetooth® 4.0).
It is possible to use apps from the App Store that support DISTO devices (e.g. the DISTO Plan app from Leica Geosystems). Alternatively, the DISTO can also be connected as a keyboard via the Bluetooth® Manager of the iOS device. With this type of connection, the DISTO works like a keyboard and measurement data can be sent directly to the position of the cursor in any app.
This mode must be activated in the DISTO in the Bluetooth® settings menu.
On my iOS device, after transferring data in keyboard mode from my DISTO, the keyboard no longer appears. Press the +/- button on the DISTO for 1 second. The keyboard will immediately appear on the display of your iOS device.
Yes, with the Leica DISTO D5 it is possible to transfer measurement data to an Android device. The installed operating system must be version 4.3 or newer. Measurement data can be sent to devices with Bluetooth® 4.0 or higher.
It is possible to use apps from the App Store that support DISTO devices (e.g. the DISTO Plan app from Leica Geosystems). Alternatively, the DISTO can also be connected as a keyboard via the Bluetooth® Manager of the iOS device. With this type of connection the DISTO works like a keyboard and measurement data can be sent directly to the position of the cursor in any app.
This mode must be activated in the DISTO in the Bluetooth® settings menu.
Yes, this setting can be made. This setting can be made in the Bluetooth settings menu in step 3.
Yes, this setting can be changed. In the Bluetooth® settings menu in the penultimate step, this setting can be made (Tab, Enter or without addition).
Yes, this is possible. When the DISTO device is connected to a smartphone or a tablet or a computer, the content of the selection buttons changes to support the corresponding Bluetooth communication. The left selection button can be used to switch the navigation function on or off.
If the DISTO is connected via Bluetooth and keyboard mode, no additional software is required. For all other types of connection specific software is required! For Windows®, Leica Geosystems provides the DISTO transfer, which can be downloaded from our website.
As with any electronic device with a lithium battery, it can never be completely ruled out that the battery will begin to deform after some time and no longer correspond to the quality of a new device. In this unlikely case, please stop using the device and replace the battery. Please contact your dealer for this.
8–10 hours runtime; approx 2 hours charging.
Battery level indicator + automatic power‑off.
Yes—internal battery pre‑installed.
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FTA360 precision cradle (manual fine‑adjustment, no encoders)
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TRI75 tripod
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Hard carry case
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USB‑C cable
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Pouch
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Documentation
Yes—2D CAD via DISTO Plan.
Clean lens daily, store in pouch, avoid extreme temperatures.
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156: Weak signal → clean lens, use target plate
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204: Out of range → stabilise, use target plate
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255: Tilt error → recalibrate
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300: Calculation error → re‑measure
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401: Bluetooth failure → toggle Bluetooth
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501: Lens dirty → clean lens
The digital Pointfinder built into the device has a zoom camera with the zoom levels 1x, 2x and 4x. The selected zoom level is shown on the left side below the status line in the display. To change from one zoom level to the next zoom level, you can press the zoom button (up arrow key).
Yes, when the digital Pointfinder is switched on, the brightness of the camera image can be adjusted with the right or left arrow keys.
Since the laser exit on the housing is not congruent with the camera optics, a so-called parallax error occurs. This means that the laser dot is not centred on the image on the display at short distances. However, the D5 has software that detects the laser dot and then corrects the crosshairs on the display. This also works in poor lighting conditions and thus ensures that the position of the laser dot is measured independently of the parallax, even if it is not visible.
The accuracy of the tilt sensor is ±0.2° to the bottom of the unit’s housing. The maximum possible deviation from the laser beam is ±0.2°. This applies at room temperature (20°C – 30°C). At other temperatures, the maximum possible deviation can increase by +/- 0.1°.
Two inclination units can be set on the Leica DISTO D5. The user can select the submenu “Angle units” in the settings and set the desired unit (°, %).
The integrated tilt sensor of the Leica DISTO D5 works over 360° with a maximum lateral tilt of < ±10°. If the device is held tilted more than < ±10° sideways, the info code “i156” appears indicating that the device is tilted too much.
The zero point of the built-in tilt sensor can be recalibrated. In the settings of the unit there is a submenu “Tilt calibration”. After selecting the submenu, the user is guided through the calibration.
Please carry out the following steps:
- Place the unit on an absolutely flat surface with the type label facing downwards.
- Press the “ON/DIST” button. The unit will beep to confirm that the measurement has been taken.
- Turn the unit horizontally by 180° with the type label facing downwards.
- Press the “ON/DIST” button and perform the second measurement. The unit beeps to confirm that the measurement has been taken.
- Place the unit on the surface with the lens facing up.
- Press the “ON/DIST” button and perform the third measurement. The unit beeps to confirm that the measurement has been taken.
- Continue to rotate the unit horizontally by 180° with the lens facing upwards.
- Press the “ON/DIST” button and perform the fourth measurement. The unit beeps to confirm that the measurement has been taken.
- After confirming the successful calibration in the display, the unit switches back to the basic mode. The calibration is completed.
Use a stable support or a tripod with FTA 360 adapter. Use measurement triggering with gestures (must be activated in the device settings) or trigger the measurements using the Timer.
Yes, it is possible to get detailed information with the Leica DISTO D5. If detailed results are available, arrows appear in the top centre of the display. It is possible to scroll through the results with the arrow key up or down.
Leica Tripod TRI 75, TRI 105, TRI 120
For measuring long distances, we recommend the use of a tripod. A tripod enables accurate and precise aiming of the measurement target even over long distances. We recommend using the Leica tripod especially in conjunction with the FTA 360 adapter.
Leica TRI 75
This is the most compact tripod for low working heights. When folded, this tripod is approx. 45cm long.
Leica TRI 105
This tripod also has a tripod head and a greater possible working height.
Leica TRI 120
Height can be solidly adjusted with the clamp locks and the 180° folding tripod legs make the tripod extremely compact.
FTA 360 adapter
To achieve higher accuracy, we offer the FTA 360 adapter, a stable adapter with fine drive for comfortable and precise aiming. It facilitates aiming, especially at long distances, and leads to smaller deviations in indirect measurements.
Target board
For measurements especially outdoors and in bright surroundings, it is very helpful to use a target plate. We offer different variants in our range of accessories.
This depends on the charger used. With the included charger, it takes approx. 3 hours to charge the Li-Ion battery.
The Li-Ion batteries can only be replaced in case of service. In this case, please contact your dealer.
Yes, there is the possibility to update your DISTO via the DISTO Plan App. Connect your DISTO to the DISTO Plan App and go to “My devices”. Select your device and click on “Check for updates”. If a new update is available, simply confirm that the update should be installed and wait a short moment.
Yes, Leica Geosystems offers the DISTO Plan App and DISTO transfer software.
Click on the Gesture icon in the settings to activate this function. Then select any measurement function and, with the laser switched on, move your hand or another object through the laser beam at a distance of 5-25 cm. If the measurement is not triggered, repeat the process at a slightly slower speed.
The Leica DISTO D5 also allows you to measure a height profile. This involves first measuring to a reference height (e.g. a survey point or a manhole cover that serves as a reference height). This reference point can then – if necessary – be given a height value known for this purpose (e.g. 125.232m above sea level). The subsequently measured points then refer to the absolute height including the height value of the reference point. To enter this height value, you must press the right selection button before measuring the reference point and enter the valid value.
Yes, if you do not need the digital Pointfinder, you can also deactivate it. To do this, you can deactivate the Pointfinder in the settings or press the zoom button for approx. 2 seconds while the laser (pointing mode) is activated until the camera image disappears. This setting remains even after switching the unit off and on. To activate, simply repeat the above steps.
No, the DISTO D5 does not offer the possibility to download measurement data via the interface. The USB-C connection is only used to charge the Li-Ion battery.
