Leica DISTO D2

Frequently asked questions about the Leica DISTO D2-2

By Miroslav Dvorak

|
1 December 2025

What happens if you see a number with an "i" icon on the display?
This is a message code. The numbers are displayed if a successful measurement could not be performed. The user can correct the measuring situation to achieve a measurement. Below you can find the spread sheet from the manual with the corrections:

No.CauseCorrection
156Transverse tilt greater than 10°Hold the instrument without any transverse tilt
162Calibration errorMake sure the device is placed on an absolutely
horizontal and flat surface. Repeat the calibration
procedure. If the error still occurs, contact your
dealer.
204Calculation errorPerform measurement again
240-245Data transfer errorConnect device and repeat procedure
252Temperature too high Allow device cool down
253Temperature too lowWarm device up
255 Received signal too weak,
measuring time too long
Change target surface (for example white paper)
256Received signal too highChange target surface (for example white paper)
257Too much background lightShadow target area
260Laser beam interruptedRepeat measurement

Other error messages not listed here may indicate a problem with the device. In such a case, please take the following measures:

Switching the device off and on again
Insert new batteries (please use quality batteries of known brand)
Repeat procedure
If the message appears during a measurement, select a good target at close range with little ambient light and repeat the measurement. If a measurement is possible, please check whether the previously performed measurement is at the edge of the device specification.

If the message also appears repeatedly after these measures, please contact your dealer.

How to switch off/on the beep?
Press and hold the FUNC button for 2 seconds to access the Settings menu. Then, press the FUNC button once more to navigate to the Beep screen, where the text displaying 'BEEP' will be shown. Use the plus (+) or minus (-) buttons to select 'ON' / OFF. Press and hold the FUNC button for 2 seconds to save your selection and return to the measurement screen.

What exactly is the painter function and how does it work? 
The painter function calculates the sum of several individual wall surfaces with a common height. Press FUNC button 1x to go to the area function. 
Press ON/DIST button and measure the first wall length, press plus (+) or minus (-) buttons and measure the next wall length. The distance is automatically calculated. Repeat the procedure, until you have measured all wall lengths. 
2nd measurement: Measure the wall height. 
The result displays automatically the wall areas, which you have selected.

Which formula stands behind the indirect measuring function Pythagoras? 
In any rectangular triangle, the theorem of Pythagoras is valid: a²+b²=c². This means the other way round: c=radical of (a²+b²) or b=radical of (c²-a²). One side of the triangle can be calculated, if the other two sides are known. Therefore, it is important that the DISTO measuring points are at the same level and that measurement 2 is rectangular. With a long press on the /DIST button the minimum function can be activated to get the shortest distance for measurement 2.

Which batteries should I use for the Leica DISTO D2?
In general you can use any alkaline battery or any rechargeable batteries (2xAAA). Lithium batteries or NiMH rechargeable batteries allow more than twice as many measurements as with regular Alkaline batteries.

Can I use the Leica DISTO D2 with rechargeable batteries? 
Yes, it is possible to use with standard rechargeable batteries. We offer a powerful charger system, which is ideal to use with DISTO: Leica charger UC20 with 2 Micro AAA NiMH batteries. For more information, please check our accessories.

What accessories are recommended? 
We recommend using our Leica target plates for measuring long distances. If the laser dot is not visible, we recommend you wear laser glasses (GLB30).

How can I get an extra year’s warranty? 
Our standard warranty of 2 years can be extended by one additional year if you register your device on our website https://www.disto.com/ within eight weeks of the purchase date. If the product is not registered, a two year warranty applies.

What does ISO 16331-1 standard mean? 
When products and services meet our expectations, we tend to take this for granted and be unaware of the role of standards. However, when standards are absent, we soon notice. We soon care when products turn out to be of poor quality or are unreliable or dangerous. An ISO Standard ensures consistent quality and reliability for a product. The range and accuracy of laser distance meters depend greatly on lighting conditions and the reflective properties of the target object. For Leica Geosystems it is important that the performance of the device is maintained not only in the test laboratory but even more so on everyday site tasks. Therefore we have worked with external experts to develop a global standard to test and specify laser distance meters and allow comparisons between devices of different manufacturers. Instruments tested in accordance with ISO 16331-1 achieve their promises. Further information can be found on our website: https://www.disto.com.

How can I turn on/off Bluetooth® on the device? 
Press and hold the Bluetooth® button for two seconds to access the Bluetooth/NFC menu. Then, press the plus (+) or minus (-) button to toggle between 'ON' and 'OFF'. Press and hold the Bluetooth® button for two seconds to confirm your selection and return to the measurement screen.

What Bluetooth® technology is integrated in the Leica DISTO D2? 
The unit uses the newest Bluetooth® 6.0 technology. The device can be used to transfer data to smartphones or tablet PCs that have Bluetooth® 4.0 or higher. The devices must also have an operating system version that supports this Bluetooth® standard, this is the case for iOS, Android 4.3 or higher and Windows 10 and 11.

How can I turn on/off NFC on the device? 
Press and hold the Bluetooth® button for two seconds to access the Bluetooth/NFC menu. Press the Bluetooth button again to access the NFC settings. Press the plus (+) or minus (-) button to toggle between 'ON' and 'OFF'. Finally, press and hold the Bluetooth® button for two seconds to confirm your selection and return to the measurement screen.

Can I send measuring data from a Leica DISTO D2 to iOS mobile devices?
Bluetooth:
Yes, the Leica DISTO D2 is compatible with iOS devices that support Bluetooth 4.0 or higher. Any used apps should support the relevant Bluetooth® standard (e.g. Leica DISTO Plan App).

NFC:
Yes, the Leica DISTO D2 is compatible with iOS devices, starting with iPhone 7 and higher. Any app used must be adapted to receive measurement data (e.g. Leica DISTO Plan App).

Please note: iPads are not compatible with NFC connectivity as they lack the necessary NFC hardware.

Can I send measuring data from a Leica DISTO D2 to Android devices?
Bluetooth:
Yes, the Leica DISTO D2 is also compatible with Android devices that support Bluetooth 4.0 or higher. Any used apps should support the relevant Bluetooth® standard (e.g. Leica DISTO Plan App).

NFC:
Yes, the Leica DISTO D2 is compatible with most modern Android devices, as they are typically equipped with NFC hardware. However, it is recommended to verify this feature on the specific device beforehand, as it is not possible to specify an exact Android version when devices started incorporating NFC hardware due to variations among manufacturers.
Any app used must be adapted to receive measurement data (e.g. Leica DISTO Plan App).

Can I send measuring data from a Leica DISTO D2 to a Windows computer?
Bluetooth:
It is possible to send data to computers running with Windows 10 or higher by using the free software Leica DISTO transfer. This free software you can download from our DISTO webpage. Windows 8 and older Windows operating systems do not support data transfer from the Leica DISTO D2.

NFC:
NFC functionality is not supported on most Windows computers, as NFC hardware are not commonly included in these devices. For Windows compatibility, Bluetooth is the recommended connectivity option

Can I send measurement data from a Leica DISTO D2 to Linux, Windows mobile, Windows RT or Blackberry’s?
No, this is not possible.

What I need to know when using NFC? 
Placement of the NFC module
The NFC module is located on the back of the device, centrally above the battery compartment. The NFC symbol on the type label (4-wave NFC mark) marks the position of the NFC module.

Placement of the NFC antennas on smartphones
NFC antennas in smartphones are usually placed near the top back of the device. On iPhones, the antenna is located near the top front, close to the earpiece. In most Android phones, it is typically just below the rear camera.

Operating distance
For optimal performance, ensure that the DISTO is within a distance of up to 2 cm (approximately 0.8 in) from the NFC module on your phone. This range allows for efficient and reliable communication and data transfer. To reliably enter the working range, place the back of your Leica DISTO D2 against the back of your phone, where the NFC antenna is typically located, as described above.

Usage with DISTO Plan App
The Leica DISTO D2 utilizes NFC technology in combination with the DISTO Plan App to enhance user experience. This feature facilitates the initial connection setup and allows for seamless transfer of measurement data. Watch our How-to Video for Android or iOS to find out how to make the most of the DISTO Plan app and NFC.

Does the Leica DISTO D2 offer apps?
Yes, Leica Geosystems offers the DISTO Plan App and Leica DISTO transfer software.

What is the angular range of the tilt sensor in the Leica DISTO D2? 
The integrated tilt sensor in the Leica DISTO D2 functions in the range 360° and at a transverse tilt of < ±10°.

If the device is held at > ±10° transversely, the info code “i156” appears in the display and indicates that the device is tilted too much.

How accurate is the tilt sensor in the Leica DISTO D2? 
The accuracy of the tilt sensor in the device is ±0.2° to the housing of the device. This applies at room temperature (20° C - 30° C). At any other temperatures the maximum deviation increases by ±0.1°.

Can the tilt sensor of a Leica DISTO D2 be calibrated by the user? 
You can recalibrate the zero level of the integrated tilt sensor.

To begin the calibration process, press and hold the FUNC button for 2 seconds to access the Settings menu. Then, press the FUNC button two more times to navigate to the Calibration screen, where the text displaying 'tilt cal' will be shown. Use the plus (+) or minus (-) buttons to select 'ON,' and confirm your selection by pressing the ON/DIST button. Once calibration is activated, the device will guide you through the process step by step.

Please follow this procedure to recalibrate:
Lay the unit down on a flat surface. The side with the type label should be down on the table. 
Carry out the first measurement by pressing “ON/DIST” button on a level surface. The device confirms the measurement.
Turn the device horizontally by 180° and place it again on absolutely flat surface with the type label side down.
Carry out the second measurement by pressing “ON/DIST” button on a level surface. The device confirms the measurement.
Pick up the unit and place it on an absolutely flat surface with the laser facing upwards.
Carry out the third measurement by pressing “ON/DIST” button on a level surface. The device confirms the measurement.
Keeping the laser up on the flat surface, rotate the device horizontally by 180° while keeping it in the same location on the flat surface.
Carry out the fourth measurement by pressing “ON/DIST” button on a level surface. The device confirms the measurement.
After 2 Sec. the device goes back to the basic mode and you have completed the calibration procedure.

What is the measuring accuracy when using the direct horizontal measuring function? 
For example, if a distance of 10 m is measured at an angle of 10°, the error on uncertainty on measurement on the direct horizontal distance (fd) is 3 mm.

To get the best result with indirect measurements, taking into account the deviation, the unit should be held as flat as possible

The error for the horizontal distance (fd) and the error for the height (fh) can be calculated as follows depending on the measured angle:

fd = error of the horizontal distance
fh = error of the height
d = measured distance
a = angle at which the distance is measured
fa = possible angular error

fd = d * cos (a) – d * cos (a + fa)
fh= d * sin (a) – d * sin (a + fa)

You can see further details and a table of the resulting errors under the heading FAQ Measurement Accuracy.

I am having problems to get my Leica DISTO connected via Bluetooth® to my mobile device. 
It will help to delete pairing data from all devices to establish a brand-new connection. Please delete pairing data from your mobile device in its Bluetooth® settings. Please also note that the DISTO must not be connected to another tablet or smartphone, otherwise the device will not be found in the Bluetooth menu. If this is the case, you must first press "Ignore device" in the Bluetooth menu of the other tablet/phone.

Is it possible to delete the measurement memory (Stack) in the Leica DISTO D2?
Yes, you can delete the measurements stack by holding down the 'Stack/Timer' and 'C/OFF' buttons simultaneously for two seconds.

Can I transfer measurements from the Stack?
Yes, you can send saved measurements from the Stack by selecting the desired value and pressing the Bluetooth button. This will transfer the selected value from the main line to the app on the connected device. (e.g. Leica DISTO Plan App or Leica DISTO transfer).

Why use triangle area measurements in floor plans? 
Triangle area measurements are especially useful for rooms or spaces that aren't perfect rectangles. By dividing irregular shapes into smaller triangles, it's easier to calculate the total area accurately. This method is ideal for spaces with angled walls or unusual layouts, where standard rectangular measurements may not provide reliable results. It ensures greater precision when estimating materials, planning layouts, or verifying usable space.