Laser distance measures are the modern replacement for traditional tape measurers. No longer will you need to measure a distance of 100-plus feet between two objects. Instead, using a steady hand, point the laser at the object in the distance and watch as the handheld device makes quick measurements, giving you an accurate reading of less than a 0.1% margin of error. They have several uses in and around the home and at job sites, from measuring the clearance of your garage before parking your car to calculating how much wood to prepare for making furniture or fixtures.
Leica Geosystems has been one of the most prominent producers of laser distance measurers in the past and for a very good reason. Their devices are easy to use, easy to read and provide a wide range of features to make calculating distances simple to do. In this article, we’re going to take a look at two of their laser distance measurer models the DISTO D1 and the DISTO D2. Let’s see which one of these DISTO tape measurers is the better option for residential and professional use.
Maximum Distance and Accuracy
Leica DISTO D1
The first thing you want to consider when purchasing a laser distance measure is how far the device can measure. The D1 can measure a maximum distance of up to 130 feet. For simple home renovations, this is more than you’ll ever need. It has an accuracy rating of ±1/16 of an inch.
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Leica DISTO D2
The D2 also has an accuracy level of ±1/16 of an inch. However, this device can measure up to an astounding 330 feet away from where it is, making it the better option for recording measurements for large construction projects.
Conclusion: Although the maximum distance that can be measured by a laser measurer is important, you really shouldn’t spend more money on a device that measures more than you need. If you’re working on small projects, the D1 will suit you just fine.
Bluetooth Connectivity
Leica DISTO D1 and D2
One of the latest innovations of laser distance measurers is its ability to connect to your Smartphone or tablet to make quick, easy measurements on the fly. Both the D1 and D2 use Bluetooth 4.0 to connect to your gadgets, and by snapping a picture with your Smartphone’s camera, you can measure the distances between objects in the image. Keep in mind that activating Bluetooth will use up more power from the two AA batteries.
Leica Disco Sketch App
Leica DISTO D1 and D2
To make use of the Bluetooth connectivity in both the D1 and D2, simply download and install the free app from Leica onto your gadget. Instructions on using the app and laser measurer together are easy to understand so you can begin making measurements and even sending images back to your clients or superiors for immediate authorization.
Intelligent Endpiece
Leica DISTO D1
The default way the D1 makes measurements is by calculating the distance between where the red laser hits and the bottom end of the gadget. Although this can be used to do basic measurements between objects, measuring from corners can be tricky if you don’t align the bottom with the corner correctly. There’s no way to guarantee perfect measurements from corners with the D1.
Leica DISTO D2
Unlike the D1, the D2 features an Intelligence Endpiece. The endpiece flips out from the bottom which helps you align the device with a corner perfectly, ensuring flawless measurements every time.
Conclusion: Obviously, having a way to guarantee perfect measurements from corners is better than not having one. The D2’s Intelligent Endpiece – the red “flap” that can flip in and out – is the most effective way to align a laser measurer perpendicularly from a corner, beam, or pillar.
Memory Capacity
Leica DISTO D1 and D2
Although laser distance measurers are the modern way to make and record measurements, they do not have large storage spaces to save readings. Both the D1 and D2 can save a maximum of 10 readings at any given time. Although it may not seem like much, it should help by reducing the amount of time needed to re-measure the most crucial distances of a project. If you accidentally deleted a measurement, just remember that you simply need to point the device at an object and you’ll get a reading almost instantaneously.
Pythagoras Calculation
Leica DISTO D1
When working in construction, there will come a time when you need to measure the distances between two diagonal corners in a room. You can do this simply by measuring the two perpendicular sides of a room and manually calculating the diagonal (hypotenuse) using the traditional a2 + b2 = c2 formula. The D1 doesn’t have a feature to do the Pythagorean Theorem for you.
Leica DISTO D2
However, the D2 does. After taking in the measurements of two perpendicular sides of a room, you can press a button to have the device calculate the distance hypotenuse for you. This is far simpler than trying to maneuver a square-bottomed laser measurer in a 90° corner of a room.
Conclusion: The Pythagoras Calculation feature of the D2 might not be extremely important for simple home-repair jobs or furniture-making, but for large construction jobs where steel beams are installed between two corners diagonally, you’ll be glad that the D2 can do the heavy calculations for you.
- This unit contains a Class II Laser with 1mW output
- Simple two button operation with no sacrifice to professional quality with all Leica geosystems products
- Meets accuracy standards of the Leica Disto family by maintaining +/- 1/16" (2mm) accuracy
Last update on 2023-05-29 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Area Calculation
Leica DISTO D1
The D1 doesn’t have an Area Calculation feature so you’ll need to pull out a calculator or your Smartphone to punch the numbers manually… like some sort of modern-day caveman. If your line of work doesn’t require calculating the total area in a room, then you won’t need this feature at all, other than to just toy around.
Leica DISTO D2
The D2 does come with an Area Calculation option. Even though calculating the area is extremely easy and doesn’t take a lot of time, you can save the measurement and calculation in the device’s memory to keep it with you at all times. Every contractor knows the pains of having to measure and re-measure distances and calculate the area of a room after losing their notes.
Conclusion: Once again, you should only get what you need, and if your line of work doesn’t require you constantly calculate the area of a room then don’t get a laser distance measurer that does. For everyone else who needs simple calculations done on the fly or is looking for a device with all the bells and whistles, the D2 is for you.
Verdict
Honestly, there’s no way we can tell you which of these models will suit you best for your line of work. However, looking at the D1 and D2’s respective features, we can see that the D1 is designed for those of us who are looking to make quick measurements between two objects, whereas the D2’s additional features allow professional construction workers to make quick calculations that would otherwise consume a lot of time.
In conclusion, if you’re a DIY sort of fellow, the D1 has enough to keep you satisfied and entertained. If you’re working on large construction projects, skip the Leica DISTO D1 and go straight for the Leica DISTO D2.
- This unit contains a Class II Laser with 1mW output
- 1/16" accuracy and up to 330 foot measuring range. Measuring units-0.000 m, 0.00 ft, 0'00" 1/16, 0 in 1/16....
- Bluetooth 4.0 for transferring measurements into desired software
Last update on 2023-05-29 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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