Apparent rounding errors when using a Leica laser with your Solatech Focus system

Apparent rounding errors when using a Leica laser with your Solatech Focus system

Summary

The Leica Disto™ Distancemeters with Bluetooth® allow you to set the display resolution to different values, for example to indicate 1/8 inch increments, rather than the native 1/32 inch increments. While this allows a greater ease in quickly reviewing a series of measurements, the rounding method used by the Bluetooth® laser and the rounding method used by Solatech Focus can create the impression that incorrect information is being sent to or received by the Solatech Focus software. This article explains what is going on during this process.. 

More Information

When set to round to other than the native 1/32 inch increment, the Leica Disto™ Bluetooth® Distancemeter rounds the actual measurement to the closest increment, typically a 1/8 inch increment. Solatech Focus is designed to intentionally round down to the next lower increment, typically a 1/8 inch increment. Even when the Distancemeter rounds the result, the actual measurement taken is sent over the Bluetooth® link. Hence, the following scenario can and does occur:

  • A measurement is taken of 20 15/32.
  • The Leica Disto™ Distancemeter, if set to round to 1/8 inch increments, will display 20 1/2 inches.
  • When sent to Focus via the Bluetooth® link the actual measurement will be sent, 20 15/32 inch.
  • The Focus software which is set to display in 1/8 inch increments, will round this value DOWN to 20 3/8 inch.
  • The rounding rules in the Leica Disto™ Distancemeter cannot be changed. This behavior is by design.
  • The rounding rules in Focus are set to round down by design, as a little extra clearance for a shade within a window is more desireable than a little less clearance.

Applies To

  1. Solatech Focus
  2. Solatech DOS