kdxn
New member
I too have looked at other options.
For example, the D8 has an internal daughter card with the tilt sensor on it. The suggestion of changing this daughter card to provide a combined mag/tilt capability was put to the Leica Product Manager in Switzerland. I am an ex-Leica employee so was not surprised that this suggestion was politely declined, the market is too small although I did point out that a direction capability, even if rough, would help quality control for construction.
China makes a Laser Rangefinder, minimum 100piece order about $100ea. Design appears to be similar to the Leica A3 but how long will this be produced for, will the design/code change ?
There are OEM laser rangefinder modules available but these are really expensive.
One option that could be looked at is to determine the range measurement output at board level from a 'standard' off the shelf laser range finder, Bosch/Leica/etc. For example, the DistoX reads the info via testpads on the A3 for the display interface and then overdrives the signals to control the display.
Could upgrade the SAP or original DistoX upgrade board to include an interface to the laser range finder and provide a non-magnetic power pack - rechargeable Li-Poly pack that can power everything ? Rip the guts from the laser range finder and encase everything in a sealed polycarbonate case with clear windows, perhaps an OtterBox or similiar.
Needs someone with the time and the skills.......
For example, the D8 has an internal daughter card with the tilt sensor on it. The suggestion of changing this daughter card to provide a combined mag/tilt capability was put to the Leica Product Manager in Switzerland. I am an ex-Leica employee so was not surprised that this suggestion was politely declined, the market is too small although I did point out that a direction capability, even if rough, would help quality control for construction.
China makes a Laser Rangefinder, minimum 100piece order about $100ea. Design appears to be similar to the Leica A3 but how long will this be produced for, will the design/code change ?
There are OEM laser rangefinder modules available but these are really expensive.
One option that could be looked at is to determine the range measurement output at board level from a 'standard' off the shelf laser range finder, Bosch/Leica/etc. For example, the DistoX reads the info via testpads on the A3 for the display interface and then overdrives the signals to control the display.
Could upgrade the SAP or original DistoX upgrade board to include an interface to the laser range finder and provide a non-magnetic power pack - rechargeable Li-Poly pack that can power everything ? Rip the guts from the laser range finder and encase everything in a sealed polycarbonate case with clear windows, perhaps an OtterBox or similiar.
Needs someone with the time and the skills.......