Laser distance measurer

Darren Clemons

Well-Known Member
I purchased my first laser distance measurer today (Bosch 400 CLM 400c) for mostly measuring building heights and such, but as with everything, now I’m wondering what else I can make use of it on.

It’s not as pricey as some I’ve seen but it’s made for outdoor use so hopefully it’ll do what I need it to do.

Since the Linux migration, I’ve noticed in the offset screens that now when you go to input the distance, there is an option to “connect a distance meter” which I’m sure is mostly, if not solely, designed for the Jmate.

However, this Bosch does have Bluetooth and after getting it set up, I went into the Bluetooth accessories option in the LS and sure enough “Bosch LDM” was populated on the screen but when I clicked on it, it just kept searching and scanning and wouldn’t connect. The Bosch will Bluetooth to my phone or an iPad an send it’s pictures and data to it so I was wondering, is this something that is or may become possible on the LS?

Yeah, it’s not difficult to use the old tape, measure to the tree or building and input the distance - but everyone loves Bluetooth :) - and it would certainly streamline the process as does the “set by compass” feature for the bearing.
 

Matt Johnson

Well-Known Member
5PLS
However, this Bosch does have Bluetooth and after getting it set up, I went into the Bluetooth accessories option in the LS and sure enough “Bosch LDM” was populated on the screen but when I clicked on it, it just kept searching and scanning and wouldn’t connect.

A Bosch GLM100 is suppose to be supported. I would assume your Bosch GLM400CL uses the Bluetooth 4.0 spec which is why it can't connect to the Triumph-LS.
 

Darren Clemons

Well-Known Member
Well, one would think that maybe the LS would soon be able to connect to something with the Bluetooth 4.0 spec?
The GLM100 isn’t even designed to work outdoors as is this 400CL, that’s why I bought this one.
I guess, if it did work as with the GLM100, it would automatically populate the distance from the laser to the appropriate offset box?
 

John Troelstrup

Active Member
I can not find any distos with BT 2.1 Everything is BT 4.0 This would really help with tree surveys. Can anybody recommend a good disto BT 2.1?
 

John Troelstrup

Active Member
Leica Disto 8 actually has BT 2.1 along with outdoor visibility and Pythagorean output. It is a discontinued model, however it seems there are a few on secondary markets. I found one locally for $650. I will update further, after purchase in two weeks and let you know how well the integration is. It is unfortunate that this is a hardware limitation as it is an extreme limiting factor in field production.
 

John Troelstrup

Active Member
Update. I recently acquired a Leica D8 and so far not able to get it to connect with my Triumph LS.
It surprises me that on this forum, no one is talking about disto blue-tooth.
I do obviously see that there is a setting specifically labeled "BOSCH" under blue-tooth connectivity.
Is this the only option? To use the Bosch?

Is everyone content with manually entering the distances?
How do other people operate with tree locations and building corner locates?
 

Clay Davidson

Active Member
I have been manually entering the offsets and calc them in the office later (trees, buildings...etc)

I have been looking for a laser distance measurer with a green laser and can't find one. I have trouble seeing the red in bright light. Can you see your Leica D8 in bright light?
 

John Troelstrup

Active Member
Clay,
Yes. It is very visible.
Bright light conditions, you can easily see it at 20 feet.
It also has built in screen that allows you to zoom in 4X to see farther away objects.
It is like a scope with cross hairs.
 

Joe Paulin

Well-Known Member
I just purchased a Bosch GLM 50 C and am happy to report that it is bluetooth compatible with the Triumph LS, even though the specs state that it uses Bluetooth 4.0. This is a small LDM that is rated at 165' A nice feature is that it has tilt sensors enabling you to get a horizontal distance quickly. You will struggle to see the laser dot in bright sunlight at far distances, but I only use LDM's for short distances, typically 30' and under so it won't matter for my purposes. This is small enough to fit in your shirt pocket and pretty cheap @ roughly $100 on Amazon. I don't need the extended range of the GLM 100 which is triple the price. Highly recomend!!
 

Aaron S

Active Member
This would be so perfect for tying in bearing trees once you've set up on a corner. Problem is, it would be measuring to the face of the tree and not the nail on the side. I suppose you could carry some kind of temporary target that hangs on the nail and gives the laser something to hit, but there's usually so much brush and trashy vegetation around my corners, there might not be a line of sight anyway.
 

Steve Hankins

Active Member
5PLS
This would be so perfect for tying in bearing trees once you've set up on a corner. Problem is, it would be measuring to the face of the tree and not the nail on the side. I suppose you could carry some kind of temporary target that hangs on the nail and gives the laser something to hit, but there's usually so much brush and trashy vegetation around my corners, there might not be a line of sight anyway.
Aaron, I have experimented with the EDM for my BT's, and returned to the Spencers Loggers Tape and a stylus. Just faster in most cases for me.
 

Joe Paulin

Well-Known Member
Yes I agree this wouldn't be the best for tying in nails in bearing trees. I use the LDM and a GNSS receiver together to tie in all kinds of other features though. Building corners and overhangs, porches, trees, fence corners, power poles, light poles, etc. Anything that you can't occupy directly, most of the time I can locate it using offsets and/or resections with the LS. For me, the LDM is faster than a tape measure. I am going to mount this Bosch GLM 50 C directly to my rover rod using RAM mounts. I will post some pictures when the mount comes in if anyone is interested.
 

Sean Joyce

Well-Known Member
I just purchased a Bosch GLM 50 C and am happy to report that it is bluetooth compatible with the Triumph LS, even though the specs state that it uses Bluetooth 4.0. This is a small LDM that is rated at 165' A nice feature is that it has tilt sensors enabling you to get a horizontal distance quickly. You will struggle to see the laser dot in bright sunlight at far distances, but I only use LDM's for short distances, typically 30' and under so it won't matter for my purposes. This is small enough to fit in your shirt pocket and pretty cheap @ roughly $100 on Amazon. I don't need the extended range of the GLM 100 which is triple the price. Highly recomend!!


Joe;
The L.S. paired with the GLM 50C, but when I go to survey by offset and try to use the distance meter it says no distance meter connected.
What is the trick here to get it working?


Nevermind got it working
 
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Joe Paulin

Well-Known Member
Hey my RAM mounts came today, I am pretty stoked! I tried it out quickly, it works out great! Can't wait to shoot some offsets in with this Deadly Duo. Just change the measure reference point to the 1/4-20 threaded mount point on the LDM and bam now I have horizontal distances to the center of my rover rod. NICE!
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toivo1037

Active Member
This would be so perfect for tying in bearing trees once you've set up on a corner. Problem is, it would be measuring to the face of the tree and not the nail on the side. I suppose you could carry some kind of temporary target that hangs on the nail and gives the laser something to hit, but there's usually so much brush and trashy vegetation around my corners, there might not be a line of sight anyway.
Aaron,
I always static the Gov't corners after set to double check the location later. While the GPS is sitting on the point I blaze, paint and nail the trees. I then pull a tape from the (I like double-headed nails) over to the GPS pole while staticing. I find it much easier to grab a distance by sliding the steel tape along the pole to read the lowest number for a horizontal distance than to later try a plumb bob. Much much faster and in fact I don't even carry a plumb bob in the woods any longer. YMMV.
 
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