Points to consider when purchasing a cross line laser

When purchasing a line laser, consider quality of the laser beam, the accuracy and how wide the beam is projected.


Beam Quality
The quality of the laser beam should play an important role in deciding which line laser to purchase. A high quality line laser will provide a crisp beam throughout the line. Whilst a cheap alternative will provide a thicker, more defused laser line. The Leica Lino L2+ incorporates a very high quality laser beam which projects the best laser line of its class. This award winning laser has been designed to project a very crisp line throughout the beams divergence.

Fan of the Beam
The laser line is projected from the laser diode and out through the lens. The angle of the laser line or fan is determined by position of the diodes and quality of the lens. Most line lasers can only project a beam less than 120 degrees with the lens defusing the extreme edges of the beam.

To improve the beams angle, manufactures have adjusted the diodes' position closer to the front of the instrument. This improves the fan of the laser line, but the lens will have no protection against damage and scratches. Leica Geosystems redesigned the Leica Lino L2+ body to allow the diodes to project a wide 180 degree laser line whilst positioning the optics away from the front of the instrument to protect against damage.

Leica are renown for their quality, so it should not be any surprise to see high quality optics integrated into the design of the Leica Lino L2+. This reduces diffusion of the laser line, providing a very crisp laser.

Accuracy of the Laser
The accuracy will determine how level the laser projects the beam. Any item set-out to this laser line will either be level or not depending on the accuracy of the laser. The Leica Lino L2+ provides the highest accuracy of any line laser both in horizontal and vertical plans.

The Leica Power Range Technology provides excellent line visibility even at larger distances. The Leica Lino L2+ automatically compensates for minor alignment errors in the range of +/-4°. During this process the instrument is aligned to mm accuracy. If the automatic self-leveling range is exceeded, the laser automatically signals that the instrument is out of levelling range. Expensive measuring errors are prevented.

An example of use
When setting out tiles for a wall, it will be very noticeable of the tilts are not truly horizontal, or vertical. A line laser will set-out the initial horizontal and vertical line, allowing the contractor to lay the first tile, with subsequent tiles following the laser lines.

For larger areas the contractor will move the instrument further away to project a wider laser line. If the beam of the laser is of a low quality, the laser line on the wall will become defused. Likewise the accuracy of the laser will further compound the problem, projecting a beam that is not truly horizontal.

The Leica Lino L2+ features a very high quality laser beam, projecting a crisp line through the 180 degree fan. This allows the laser to project a wider beam at close range, ideal for small or large projects. The very high accuracy of the beam ensures that the laser is truly horizontal. If the laser is moved back, the combination of beam, optics and accuracy will not hinder the contractor.

For more information - Leica Lino L2+ Cross Line Laser
For more information - Range of Cross Line Laser

Smart Horizontal Mode

When undertaking measuring tasks, there will be occasions when you may require the horizontal distance, but the line of sight may be blocked.

Instead of measuring sections and adding them together, the brains at Leica Geosystem have introduced the tilt function into the Leica DISTO range. Not only will the instrument measure the angle of tilt, but calculate the true horizontal distance.

Therefore by simply utilising the smart measuring mode, the Leica DISTO will combine the distance and tilt measurement functions to calculate the true horizontal distance.

Smart! Well it gets better.

Leica have also incorporated a number of other calculations into the smart horizontal mode. By pressing the button for longer, the indirect height to the laser dot, angle of the instrument and distance to the laser dot will be displayed.

With the Pythagoras function, the instrument requires line of sight to both the top and bottom of the structure. By utilising the Smart Horizontal Mode when the instrument is placed on a tripod, the user can measure the height to the top and measure the height of the instrument from the ground.

Below is a list of instrument which features the smart horizontal mode:
Leica DISTO D210
Leica DISTO X310
Leica DISTO D510
Leica DISTO D810

For more information on the Leica DISTO range, visit our website

How Does a Leica DISTO Measure?

This article will explain in a simple way how a Leica DISTO take a measurement & how accurate the measurements are.

Two types of length measurement
See a lightning flash and start counting the seconds. If you get to 15, divide by three – and you know that the storm is still five kilometres away. This measuring principle, which is also used by laser devices, is known as the “running time procedure”.

The speed of light is much higher than that of sound, and the times involved are extremely short where distances are limited. It thus follows that short distances of just a few metres cannot be measured with any great accuracy using the running time procedure.

Leica DISTO devices therefore operate on the phase-shift principle, and are especially accurate over short distances – as you would indeed expect from a device known popularly as a “laser rule”.

A wave on a lake, for example, is measured from crest to crest. If the wind pushes such a wave against a jetty, we can see how a new wave runs back into the water. A comparison of the crests of the incoming and outgoing waves illustrates the phase-shift principle.

A wave of light
We must start off with a wave. But how can we create one out of light?




The light actually goes on and off 50 times per second, as we use an AC power supply to light up the bulb. The Leica DISTO is fitted not with a bulb, but with a semiconductor diode, which emits a guided laser beam. This light is switched on and off 200 million times per second with “alternating current”.

We use these millions of waves (on the same principle as the water lapping against the bank of the lake) to measure the distance concerned.


How many wave crests can fit into a given space?


We hang a length of rope from an object such as a house wall and stand holding the other end at a distance of about 15 metres from the wall (i.e. the distance that we wish to measure).




We then raise and lower the rope with regular up-and-down arm movements. The rope begins to oscillate and forms waves (like water).

A slowing of the arm movement causes the size of the wave to increase, until the 15 metres available is filled with a single wave.

An increase in the speed of the up-and-down arm movement decreases the size of the waves (e.g. to three metres each). The same distance to the house wall is now occupied by various waves.

This is exactly how the Leica DISTO works.


A laser beam is used to emit various different waves simultaneously. With a frequency of 200 million waves (their speed regulated by the equivalent of the arm movements in the above example), it is possible to be accurate to the millimeter, while lower frequencies determine the higher fractions of a metre and the lowest frequency measures the number of metres.

As the crests and troughs of a laser wave are, unlike the oscillating length of rope, invisible to the naked eye, we have to resort to some technological trickery – which brings us back to the example of waves lapping against a jetty: the difference between the incoming and outgoing waves of light (i.e. the phase shift) can be measured by means of sophisticated electronics, allowing the distance to be determined to the nearest millimeter.

As you can see, where distance measurement is concerned, quite a lot goes on behind the scenes.

Tough Leica DISTO

During a recent telephone conversion with a customer, a question was raised. How tough are the Leica DISTO range?

Well in short, very.

With the introduction of the Leica DISTO X310 model, there is no tougher instrument. Built to with stand any knocks and falls commonly encountered on a building or construction site.

Although the standard range of instruments have been designed with a strong magnesium housing encasing the laser and receive lens, they are precision instruments so will not be too happy if dropped into water.

So Leica Geosystems have incorporated several new features into the Leica DISTO X310 design.

The impact-resistant housing has been strengthened with special fibreglass-reinforced plastic bracing.

Passes drop tests from 2m height thanks to the thick rubber housing on the outside which protects the module against possible damage.

A special rubber sealing strip protects all components – even the battery compartment.

The Leica DISTO X310 is the only laser measuring instrument to pass rigorous tests according to IP 65. That means it can be jet washed to remove dirt without affecting the internal components and submerged in water.

The internal components have been design with abuse in mind. Less parts to go wrong and more importantly components that works better under arduous conditions.

OK, the Leica DISTO X310 will not be able to measure complicated architectural structures like the Leica DISTO D210 or Leica DISTO D510 models. But if you work on a building site or require a heavy duty instrument, then this is the instrument for you.

For more information - Leica DISTO X310

For more information - Leica DISTO Range

New Product Catalogue

Survey Express Services are proud to offer our new 2011 Product Catalogue packed with the latest surveying and safety equipment.

“This new catalogue will provide a single source for the largest range of surveying and site safety products,” says Steven Jennings, Survey Express Services’ Managing Director “featuring the largest range of instruments from all leading manufacturers.”

All products can be order through our network of regional offices, our field sales teams or directly online www.surveyexpress.co.uk.

A new feature introduced with the launch of this new catalogue, is a digital interactive online version which can be viewed online. Pages can be printed off and downloaded.

Additional copies of the new catalogue can be ordered through our sales team. Simply ring your nearest office, or alternatively 020 8697 2725.

View Catalogue Online

Why purchase a Cable Detection EZiCAT?

Cable Detection EZiSYSTEM range of cable avoidance tools (CAT) are becoming the preferred cable avoidance system with most civil engineering contractors. But why purchase the Cable Detection EZiCAT?

Most cable avoidance tools operate through an analogue system which requires complicate electronics and numerous switches to be set correctly to detect buried services.

Cable Detection uses state-of-the-art digital signal processing technology (DSP), removing switches, designed to be user friendly and more importantly, provides the maximum protection to the operator.

Better Operation
When detecting buried cables with standard cable avoidance locators, the instruments will only detect the specific search mode (Power, Radio or Genny modes) engaged by the operator.

That is to say, the operator will need to turn a switch to engage the search mode and rotate the Sensitivity Control for maximum sensitivity. In some cases, the operator will forget to setup the CAT correctly or the switches are damaged.

With the Cable Detection EZiCAT system, the instrument automatically starts in Power mode and with maximum sensitivity. This avoids human error and with the self test function, the cable locator can be tested in the field before use.

More Standard Features
Cable Detection have incorporated a range of advanced features into their new i-series cable avoidance tools. All instruments in their range will be equipped with the following.

Auto Mode
Automatically locates power or radio signals, helping to confirm the presence of services in one search.

Hazard Zone
The latest generation of cable avoidance tools from Cable Detection incorporate the ‘Hazard Zone’ feature which warns the operator of shallow power cables close to the surface.

Pinpoint Assist
Pinpoint assist is a useful addition to the new range of cable avoidance tools from Cable Detection. When searching for services, the highest peak reading will be maintained for a period of time allowing the operator to quickly and accurately pinpoint the service position.

Built-In Self Test
The Cable Detection EZiCAT system allows the operator to self test the functions of the instrument before use. The instrument will perform a hardware and software test, indicating if the instrument is operating correctly or not.



For more information -
Cable Detection EZiCAT i500

Cable Detection EZiCAT i550 – Depth Finding

Cable Detection EZiCAT i600

Cable Detection EZiCAT i650 - Depth Finding

Range of cable avoidance tools

BW Gas Alert Micro Clip XT Gas Monitor

The BW Gas Alert Micro Clip XT is a multi-gas monitor (H2S, CO, Oxygen and flammable), designed to enhance site safety and provide an easy to use multi-gas solution.

Its slim and compact design means that BW Gas Alert Micro Clip XT is as easy and comfortable to wear, as it is to use; the device features a slim and lightweight design that provides a non-intrusive monitoring solutions to workers in a wide range of applications.

BW Gas Alert Micro Clip XT also delivers excellent value for money and provides aspects like continuous LCD real-time gas concentrations, visual, audible and vibration alarms, force bump test / force calibration and auto Oxygen sensor calibration on start up.

BW Gas Alert Micro Clip XT is optimised to enhanced on-site safety through aspects like IntelliFlash™, which provides a visual indication of current operation to both the user and supervisor.

The device also features “force bump test” and “force calibration” functionality, helping to ensure that BW Gas Alert Micro Clip XT is always fully maintained and
ready to detect gas.

The GasAlertMicroClip XT is fully compatible with BW’s MicroDock II automatic test and calibration system.


For more information - BW Gas Alert Micro Clip XT

For more information - Range of Gas Monitors