Laser Tape Measure

[Blacknwhitepit]

I'm considering getting a Laser tape measure. Are they pretty much all the same?

Any recommendations?

-BWP

 

[OldCarGuy]

I received one as a gift a few years back, and don’t remember the brand name. I found it to be a toy and almost useless for anything I came across. It might be good when approximating an overall room size.

 

[OctaneMotorsports]

^ What he said.

 

[boiler7904]

Depends on what you're planning to use it for. I bought a Hilti (PD30? - I'd have to go look in my truck) a couple of years ago to use for work. It will do length, area, volume, and addition or subtraction of measurements in standard or metric units. It's only real use at home so far has been doing area takeoffs for buying paint. It will also get used a lot when I start doing crown molding. Working for an architectural firm, I have to measure a lot of existing buildings that we are designing additions or extensive remodels for. As an example, another guy and I measured, sketched, and noted an existing two story bank in about a day and a half. A regular tape would have taken at least a full day longer. One place they really excel is in vertical dimensions where you can't get to or don't want / don't have access to use a ladder. With that being said, a laser distance meter can't take every measurement you want and they are difficult to use outdoors in bright sunlight. If you spend the money for a high end brand (Hilti, Leica, etc.) they are extremely accurate (mine is supposed to be 1/16" at 600+ feet) and a huge time saver. If I was doing it again, I'd get a better one with built in Pythagorean theorem and a few other features that I didn't think I'd use but could have since I got mine.

Another use that the manufacturer's don't mention is driving your dog nuts. Every once in a while I put the spot on the floor so she'll chase it around. Funny to watch.

 

[danski0224]

I'm considering getting a Laser tape measure. Are they pretty much all the same?

Any recommendations?

-BWP

No, they are not all the same.

You get what you pay for. I have a PLS1 (Leica optics) that is good for +/- 1/16" at 600'. Some models from Leica have GPS built in... and they run close to $1k.

If you need accuracy, then you need to spend some money.

If you want "close enough" then get one at your local big box.

 

[DiStOrTiOn]

we (me and the other lighting tech) use a laser measuring tape at work to measure ceiling heights in rooms where we're putting in truss towers. Comes in extremely handy for doing that, everything else we usually just use a regular tape.

 

[eschoendorff]

I have one... I forget the brand, but it's yellow. I never use it...

 

[General Lee]

I received one as a gift a few years back, and don’t remember the brand name. I found it to be a toy and almost useless for anything I came across. It might be good when approximating an overall room size.

Couldn't agree more

 

[AdamMopar]

Just to clarify, people often get things confused when it comes to these devices. A true laser measurer is highly accurate. The other type, much cheaper, operates of sounds and isn't nearly as accurate but likely has a laser for direction, often where the confusion comes about. The type you might get as a gift would probably be the latter.

Adam

 

[OldCarGuy]

The Strait-Line is the unit I have. And it’s does use laser technology to measure distances. However it only works indoors, and as I said,, I only find it useful for estimating room sizes. Even then you have to be careful how you position it to get any kind of accuracy that it is supposedly capable of…

 

[eschoendorff]

The Strait-Line is the unit I have. And it’s does use laser technology to measure distances. However it only works indoors, and as I said,, I only find it useful for estimating room sizes. Even then you have to be careful how you position it to get any kind of accuracy that it is supposedly capable of…

Is yours yellow? Without going out to look at mine, I am almost positive taht mine is teh same brand. But mine uses some sort of sonar to measure distances (like bats do) and the laser is just there to find your target.