reeffish1073 wrote:which disto do i need to get to be able to use the bluetooth and have the data go into a smart phone or pda. i want to be able to use this with the associated caving software for either too. any help would be appreciated!
It depends on the style you want to use it. For simple measurement only any one with bluetooth is enough, but Hilty produces much more rugged ones. The PD 38 has feature to draw sketch.
If you don't want the DistoX (A3 + compass and clino module - paperless.bheeb.ch) than A8 and D8 are favorites. One may measure on surface too, or the points, which are not possible to measure by laser beam - for example height of tree, thanks to the build in camera.
And one important note - check if the disto has delayed measurement. Just to prevent shaking when one pressed the button.
Martin