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DistoX summary?

PostPosted: Jun 25, 2016 1:38 pm
by rl23455
I have found numerous articles on modifying the Leica distos, but am not up to date on current use. It seems they cannot be used off the shelf as is and needed modifications? Can someone give a brief summary on the currently available model(s) used and why in general they need to be modified?
thanks,
Tom

Re: DistoX summary?

PostPosted: Jun 25, 2016 8:22 pm
by snoboy
This should be all you need to know, and maybe more... http://paperless.bheeb.ch/index.html

Very short summary: the off the shelf model is useful for measuring distance and elevation. The modified model also is a compass and has a bluetooth link so you can avoid transcribing numbers.

Re: DistoX summary?

PostPosted: Jun 27, 2016 11:23 am
by poppol
Good timing.

I was in the same situation there is less than two months. After finding the website of Beat Heeb, I finally understood the need to make modify to the original device. I have written twice in one month to Beat Heeb to purchase the electronic card, but I did not get any answer. It seems that recently Leica has made a small change on the Disto X310 and E7400x which makes it incompatible with the upgrade “X2” kit.

If one of you get response from Beat Heeb. Please let's me know. I would like to know the price and if any version of DISTO X310 or E7400x can be use.

Thanks
Paul

Re: DistoX summary?

PostPosted: Jun 27, 2016 5:20 pm
by rlboyce
I think there are cavers out there who assemble DistoX's and sell them. If you'd prefer to let someone else do the hard part, or you are having trouble getting the right components, perhaps this would be an option for you to consider.

Re: DistoX summary?

PostPosted: Jun 27, 2016 8:45 pm
by poppol
poppol wrote:
It seems that recently Leica has made a small change on the Disto X310 and E7400x which makes it incompatible with the upgrade “X2” kit. However I don't know the validity of this information

Paul


Here for the link. Can be useful to know before buying new Disto from Leica.

http://ukcaving.com/board/index.php?topic=19995.0

Problem with new X310 model for Distox2
« on: March 08, 2016, 10:08:21 am »
Email from Beat:
To all DistoX customers:

ATTENTION:
There seems to be a problem with a newer version of the Disto X310.
These new version includes a changed Laser Module which will NOT work with
the actual DistoX2 board.
The attached picture shows the two variants:
Upper device: Old version with large Laser module.
Lower device: New version with small Laser module.

The serial number (on the box and in the battery compartment) seems to
start with 0 for old and with 1 for new devices, but this is not confirmed
yet.

I will search for a solution for the new device as soon as possible.

Regards

Beat


PS Sorry to spoil this thread. I should have started new one :doh:

Paul

Re: DistoX summary?

PostPosted: Jun 27, 2016 8:54 pm
by poppol
rlboyce wrote:I think there are cavers out there who assemble DistoX's and sell them. If you'd prefer to let someone else do the hard part, or you are having trouble getting the right components, perhaps this would be an option for you to consider.


Do you have a contact name ? This can be a good solution even for an experienced technician. An error can be expensive in the learning curve.

thanks
Paul

Re: DistoX summary?

PostPosted: Jun 28, 2016 11:26 am
by rlboyce
PM me and I'll provide contact info. These guys made mine.

Re: DistoX summary?

PostPosted: Jun 28, 2016 11:57 am
by snoboy
I have made DistoXs in the past for other cavers. I prefer to do it for people I know, or get a mutual friend to vouch. Paul, I see you have an SQS affiliation? Chris Chenier would be the best person out your way to help you out. All in, they came out around CA$650 the last time I made a batch.

The problem with the new Disto is fixed by the way, Beat made a software upgrade.

http://ukcaving.com/board/index.php?topic=20342.msg261165#msg261165

Re: DistoX summary?

PostPosted: Aug 16, 2016 3:08 am
by Martin Sluka
From Beat's mail:

There are actually three versions of the X310 around:
- old Laser module, old Display
- new Laser module, old display
- new Laser module, new display

I have a corresponding firmware for all of them available.
In addition a small change in the hardware is needed for the new Laser module.

A new batch of boards is currently in production. They will fit all versions.
I am also working on a new firmware version which should adapt to all versions.
However, it is open whether this is possible without user configuration.
The boards and the firmware should be ready in a few weeks.

Re: DistoX summary?

PostPosted: Aug 18, 2016 11:33 am
by poppol
I finally received answer from Beat yesterday. DistoX2 boards should be available in September. I’ll need to choose between modify myself or buy one “ready to use”. And more difficult to do, buy PDA and learn to using it efficiently :compass:.

Paul

Re: DistoX summary?

PostPosted: Sep 12, 2016 3:44 pm
by Martin Sluka
There is the version 2.5 of firmware and new version of Assembly manual for DistoX2 on Beat's page:

http://paperless.bheeb.ch/download.html#Firmware
http://paperless.bheeb.ch/download/Dist ... Manual.pdf

Re: DistoX summary?

PostPosted: Sep 13, 2016 5:20 pm
by poppol
Board are ready. I just received mine.

Re: DistoX summary?

PostPosted: Oct 3, 2016 11:04 am
by Chads93GT
Just built two of these myself, One for myself and one for the grotto. A buddy did the soldering as I didn't have the equipment for that. Anyway I was able to build the grotto's Distox2 for $442. People are really charging $200 for building these? it literally takes 20-30 minutes.

Mine only cost me $250 but I got the Leica E7400x for $30 with hotel points via amazon, hahaha

Re: DistoX summary?

PostPosted: Nov 30, 2016 2:30 pm
by karstgirl
Is there someone in the US I can contact to make disto x for me?
Thanks Cyndie
karstgirl@yahoo.com

Re: DistoX summary?

PostPosted: Jan 4, 2017 2:38 pm
by caver.adam
Good business is to charge more than it [normally] costs you. What if you have a disto go bad and have to eat the cost because it is now out of warranty? Or you have to hang onto extra inventory? Or someone's payment falls through?

Chads93GT wrote:Just built two of these myself, One for myself and one for the grotto. A buddy did the soldering as I didn't have the equipment for that. Anyway I was able to build the grotto's Distox2 for $442. People are really charging $200 for building these? it literally takes 20-30 minutes.

Mine only cost me $250 but I got the Leica E7400x for $30 with hotel points via amazon, hahaha