Overview
The Leica DISTO allows you to customize units, measurement reference, and display brightness to suit your workflow. This article covers the most common settings found across DISTO models.
Changing Measurement Units
The DISTO can display measurements in meters, feet, feet+inches, or inches, depending on the model.
- Power on the device.
- Press and hold the units button (often labeled "m/ft" or with a unit icon), or navigate to the settings menu if your model has one.
- Cycle through available unit options until your preferred unit is displayed.
- The selection is saved automatically.
Note: Some models cycle units with a short press; others require access through a settings menu. Refer to your model's quick guide if the above steps don't apply.
Measurement Reference (Front vs. Back)
The reference edge determines where measurement begins. You can measure from:
- Back of device (default) — for measuring from a wall or corner.
- Front of device — for measuring with the device held away from a surface.
- Tripod thread — available on models with a built-in fold-out foot or thread, used for stand-mounted measurements.
Toggle the reference by pressing the dedicated reference button (icon of a bracket or arrow), or through settings if your model uses a menu.
Backlight
Most DISTO models include a backlit display for use in low-light conditions. Press the backlight button (usually a sun or bulb icon) to toggle or cycle brightness levels. The backlight will turn off automatically to conserve battery after a short delay.
Auto Power-Off
To preserve battery, the DISTO powers off automatically after a period of inactivity (typically 3–5 minutes). This behavior may be adjustable on some models through the settings menu.
Resetting to Factory Defaults
If settings appear to be misconfigured or the device is behaving unexpectedly, a factory reset can restore default values. On most models, this involves pressing and holding a combination of buttons at startup. Refer to the device-specific manual for the exact procedure.
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