History

1998 
Leica DISTO™ memo and pro – with data storage and application functions. Once again a revolution in measuring. Intelligent measurement with Leica DISTO™ memo who has a memory of 1000 measurements. Leica DISTO™ pro makes measures with function possible. The Leica DISTO™ pro provides the highest precision combined with additional versatile and applications-related functions. Leica DISTO™ pro, the top product in the Leica DISTO™ family of hand-held laser, can be used for direct measurement with internal storage and also for online operation.

1999
Leica DISTO™ classic³ – aim, shoot, measure. Another breakthrough in handheld laser meters. Following in the footsteps of the world’s leading handheld laser meter, the Leica DISTO™ basic comes the Leica DISTO™ classic³ . Leica DISTO™ classic³ kicks off the 3rd generation of Leica DISTO™ products from Leica Geosystems. It retains all the renowned features of the Leica DISTO™ basic such as reliability, ease of use and accuracy that made it the number 1 choice in its field. Key improvements: smaller, lighter, faster and lower in price. The Leica DISTO™ classic³ is also extremely robust and water resistant making it ideal for all distance-measuring applications from 30 cm to 100 m and more.

2001 
Again and again: Leica Geosystems sets new standards with an alpha numeric keypad which is a world’s first for a hand held laser meter. Building on the success of the previous years, the new Leica DISTO™ generation is yet another milestone. The new generation consists of four instruments: Leica DISTO™ lite, Leica DISTO™ classic⁴, Leica DISTO™ pro⁴ and the Leica DISTO™ pro⁴ a.

2002 
Measuring was never this easy! With the launch of the 5th generation Leica Geosystems is bringing two new unique products to the market. The "Leica DISTO™ lite⁵" and "Leica DISTO™ classic⁵". Both make it possible for everyone to take a measurement more easily and conveniently than ever before, at the press of a button. Measuring time is less than a second for ranges between 0.2 and 200 m! While on the "lite⁵" every task – such as the measurement of a distance or the calculation of an area or a volume – is performed with clearly defined direct keys, the "classic⁵" impresses with a Soft-Touch keyboard and a built-in telescopic viewer for convenient remote measurements over long distances.

The fact that the range is very reliable due to many years of experience as market leader, means Leica Geosystems provides the user with a two-year warranty on each instrument.

2004 
Leica DISTO™ plus is the only device in the world that offers the highest accuracy, attractive design and wireless data transfer by means of Bluetooth® in one package. The data can be transferred on site wireless to a PDA (Pocket PC) or directly to a laptop and easily used for other purposes. Both the free software programs help to ease your workload. “PlusDraw” allows you to create simple sketches with the values on the pocket PC. The sketches can be transferred as a graphic file (bmp-file) to the PC while your recorded data is stored in a dedicated Excel file. “PlusXL” enables you to record the recorded values immediately and directly into an Excel table and to edit them on the PC. Leica Geosystems offers you a global solution for your measuring applications!

2004 
Leica DISTO™ classic⁵a: Quick, Accurate, Green! To mark the 10th anniversary of Leica DISTO™ hand held laser measurers, Leica Geosystems are adding a special anniversary model to their award winning product range. Based on their most successful laser distance measuring instrument the Leica DISTO™ classic⁵, the new anniversary model comes with increased typ. measuring accuracy of ± 1.5 mm. The anniversary model will certainly stand out from the crowd with its new cheeky green color, making measuring fun!

2005
Leica DISTO™ special - the Special Edition: Leica Geosystems AG, the inventor of the laser distance measuring devices, celebrates the 750,000th sold Leica DISTO™  with a special edition! The special model, limited for this occasion to 10,000 pieces, is in unmistakable Leica red. The Leica DISTO™ special⁵ stands out through its precision, ease of use and measurement comfort.

2005 
Wow, how small: the Leica DISTO™ A3 
The Leica DISTO™ A3 is a revolution in size, handling and user friendliness - an ultra compact laser distance meter. It is the size of a spectacle case, fits into any pocket and yet measures long distances with high precision.

2005 
Leica DISTO™ A5: sets new standards 
Practical functions that save you time and money when performing everyday measuring jobs, a compact and handy design, precise measurements up to 200 m with just a press of a button: the Leica DISTO™ A5 sets new standards for laser distance meters in regards to design, handling and user friendliness.

2006
Leica Geosystems has set a further successful milestone – the first real base model designed specifically for indoor applications,  Leica DISTO™ A2.

2006
Also the Leica DISTO™ plus now has a more than worthy successor: the Leica DISTO™ A6. It combines all the advantages of the well-known Leica DISTO™ A5 with the former model DISTO™ plus. Highest degree of accuracy, integrated Bluetooth® technology with a software that wirelessly transfers measured values to programs such as Word, Excel and AutoCad. Measuring made easy!

2006 
Leica DISTO™ A8 - the top model of the Leica DISTO™ family. It is the first hand laser distance measurement device which has an integrated digital viewfinder (3fold zoom) and an integrated inclination sensor. With the Leica DISTO™ A8 measurements can be made in difficult lighting conditions and even if the laser dot is not visible. That allows new measurement opportunities especially outdoors.

2007
The Leica DISTO™ D3 is a multi-functional instrument to ensure simple, quick and reliable measurements. Measuring distances with an accuracy of ± 1.0 mm – in spite of nearby obstructions – and determining angles quickly and precisely is done easily. The elegant Leica DISTO™ D3 is the smallest laser distance meter in the world and a reliable instrument to suit every pocket.

Leica DISTO™ D3 is the winner of the Red Dot Design Award 2007.

2007
Leica Geosystems’ products fulfil the highest quality requirements to support you efficiently in your daily work on site. To give you even more security, it is possible now to register your device within eight weeks of the date of purchase at www.leica-geosystems.com/registration and profit from an additional free one year warranty.

2009 
World´s first: 15 years of experience with hand-held laser distance meters and state-of-the-art technology are invested in the new Leica DISTO™ D5. It is equipped with a digital Pointfinder, a big high resolution 2.4“ colour display and a tilt sensor. These features combined with a host of calculation functions make the Leica DISTO™ D5 a real world first.

2009
And again world´s first:
Leica DISTO™ D8 – the most versatile laser distance meter in the world! Equipped with a digital Pointfinder, high-resolution 2.4“ colour display, 360° tilt sensor and Bluetooth® technology, the Leica DISTO™ D8 is a real world first and offers completely new measuring options.

2010 
Leica DISTO™ D3a – the laser distance meter with Smart Horizontal Mode™ for absolute precise measurements. Developed in close cooperation with end-users, the Leica DISTO™ D3a offers high functionality combined with the well established precision of Leica Geosystems. The combination of distance and tilt measurements opens up a variety of new measuring options. Especially the horizontal distances can be calculated easy and precise with the Smart Horizontal Mode™.

2010 
Leica DISTO™ D3a BT – the laser distance meter with Bluetooth® technology and Smart Horizontal Mode™. It combines all the advantages of the well known Leica DISTO™ D3a with the Bluetooth® Wireless Technology. Measurement results can be wirelessly and accurately transferred to Pocket PCs and PCs.

2010 
Leica DISTO™ DXT – Tough Enough! Many manufacturers talk about robustness, only few go to such lengths as Leica Geosystems. The Leica DISTO™ DXT is the only laser distance meter which is protected against jet water, completely sealed against dust (IP65 Certified) and drop tested from a height up to 2 m to demonstrate its robustness.

2012 
Leica DISTO™ D210 is the compact entry model. Developed in Switzerland and produced in Europe it fulfils the highest quality standards and achieves a measuring accuracy of ± 1.0 mm. It is equipped with many interesting functions and yet still easy to use.

2012
Leica DISTO™ X310 – the extremely tough and multifunctional laser distance meter. It is the only laser distance meter which is IP65 certified - dust tight and jet water protected. Furthermore it has been tested by dropping from heights of up to 2 m. Thanks to the integrated tilt sensor, precise indirect distance and height measurements are possible.

2012 
The ISO Standard 16331-1 defines a new benchmark for laser distance meters. In cooperation with independent external experts, Leica Geosystems has developed this standard by which laser distance meters can be tested and compared with each other.

2012 
Leica DISTO™ apps bring the office to the construction site. The smart android apps “Leica DISTO™ sketch” and “Leica DISTO™ transfer” are the ideal interface between the Leica DISTO™ with Bluetooth® and a smart phone or tablet.

2013
The Leica DISTO™ D510 stands for easy and effortless outdoor distance measurement. The unique combination of digital Pointfinder and 360° tilt sensor allows measurements which are not possible with conventional distance meters. In addition, with Bluetooth® Smart and attractive free apps, you are prepared for the future.

2013
The Leica DISTO™ D810 touch is the world's first laser distance meter with touchscreen and “measure with a picture“ feature. It offers users a unique and innovative solution for measuring, documentation and communication tasks. The revolutionary “measure with a picture” function uses the integrated camera to obtain diameter, width and area of inaccessible objects. The high resolution camera takes project documentation to the next level and enables the user to take pictures, to download and to process it further. The latest version of the Leica DISTO™ sketch app offers scaled drawings and enhanced functionality allowing to document complex measuring tasks easily.

The Leica DISTO™ D810 touch is the smartest solution to measuring and documenting tasks in the market.