Budget Disto

[Badlad]

Saw these Hilti laser range finders on offer for £59.  Anyone in the know think they are ok for cave surveying?

http://www.hilti.co.uk/holuk/page/module/home/browse_main.jsf;jsessionid=4E732AA060BD1E9112A51A1FE067EDB2.node2?lang=en&nodeId=-529962

[Badlad]

Just spoke to Hilti briefly.  70m range with 0.02 accuracy, rugged, dust proof.  Sounds very much like the Leica DXB with another name on it. 

[peterk]

PD 4 user manual is at http://www.us.hilti.com/fstore/holus/techlib/docs/instruction_manuals/measuring/pd4.pdf

[underground]

Badlad - when you say 'like the Leica DXB' - does this mean good or bad (suitable or not?) - and did you mean DXT?

Ta!

[Badlad]

Yes - DXT, I think.  The ruggedised 70m disto from Leica anyway.   These are very suitable for cave surveying and were considered for conversion to the next generation DistoX at one time.

I did wonder whether these were made in the same factory as Leica and may be a bargin at that price.

[underground]

Thanks for replying  I've just taken delivery of one for a play at any rate. Price delivered works out at £70 as the 59 is ex VAT.

[underground]

OK. I've used the tool. Loosely- i.e. I haven't measured with a tape then compared accuracy or anything - but it can get a reading in the dark, streetlit outside of my house to the house opposite and tells me it's 50m or so away which is reasonable. It has a small power button and a big measure button, quite a big (10x10mm) aperture for the laser that you'd obviously need to keep mud free. The 2 AA batteries go in and are sealed by a piece of plastic that's then screwed shut against an o ring by a steel screw with a 'penny slot' i.e any flat bladed tool can open and close it. Nylon belt pouch included plus calibration cert from Hilti.

Anything I or anyone else should want to know or ask? (open question)...

[SamT]

is there a delay on the measurement... i,e. press button, half a second delay to steady the laser, takes reading.

[underground]

Yes Sam - you turn on the laser and place the unit to sight it, press the button and after a very brief pause it beeps to denote the reading is done. Seems to take slightly longer if you don't hold still

[notdavidgilmour]

Sorry for digging up an oldish post, but have you used this underground yet?  If so would you recommend for cave surveying?

Thanks in advance.

[underground]

Afraid not, only used it to measure the length of my office...

[notdavidgilmour]

ok, cheers for the reply.  I won't bother 

[SamT]

For what it's worth, I tried to buy one of these for work a few days after the original post and they were out of stock so I think the offer was very short lived.