Ryobi Laser Distance Measure $39

[Ign]

The slow blowout of the Tek4 measuring tools continues apparently. First was the laser level, then the stud finder and today I came across the Professional Laser Distance Measure for $39, allegedly was $149. Grabbed the last one at my store, haven't opened it yet.

Part # RP4011LK

Claims accurate to 1/8" at 100'. No idea if this is true.

 

[allinon72]

I've chased these Tek4 tools before mostly for the fun of it. I found the laser level when it was being clearanced but it isn't very good. Never found the stud finder.

 

[Ign]

Yep, I'm just a sucker for a big difference in a claimed sale price from a regular price.

I just fired this up and so far it seems pretty cool. Took a measurement of my hallway and it was plenty accurate with my tape (within 1/16" or better), but the hallway is less than 4' wide.

You can hold the ON button and it switches to continuous measurement, vs taking "snapshots" each time you press the measure button. I stumbled upon this by accident as the instructions of course are annoying at best, but it's probably mentioned in there.

You can also reference off the front or rear of the unit, but I assume this is standard for all laser measurement tools - - this is the first one I've ever touched.

My biggest concern is support for this platform in a few years. I suspect Ryobi will just stop making the batteries sooner rather than later. But it's conceivable the batteries could easily last a great many years even with minimal use. At least it's easy to get them as one comes in every clearance tool along with a charger.

edit: oh and I'm not readily finding a way to have the unit just give me inches, which I'd prefer in many cases, eg 39" vs 3' 3". But I can live with that.

 

[srmofo]

Which store did you find this at?

 

[furious_pete]

The Ryobe Tek4 multimeter is on clearance at Home Depot stores near my for $29, I bought one and took it back. Seemed like a great sale price given its original cost ($90), but it really lacks any professional features. It wasnt auto-ranging and didnt do temperature (with probes). Obviously no true-RMS, which I would expect to be included in a "professional" meter. It did have a really nice big screen readout and seemed like it was in a tough case.

 

[wait4me]

Home Depot. As far as I'm aware they're the sole retail distributor of the Ryobi tek4 products. I do know they have those on clearance right now.

 

[Ign]

The Ryobe Tek4 multimeter is on clearance at Home Depot stores near my for $29, I bought one and took it back. Seemed like a great sale price given its original cost ($90), but it really lacks any professional features. It wasnt auto-ranging and didnt do temperature (with probes). Obviously no true-RMS, which I would expect to be included in a "professional" meter. It did have a really nice big screen readout and seemed like it was in a tough case.

I agree they've done a good job with backlit displays on many of these tools, and they do seem like they'd withstand an occasional drop from a ladder or whatever. I also agree they seem to lack many important features, so it seems to be a lot of window dressing. The stud finder has a nifty display which tells you nothing useful over a standard stud finder with a couple of lights.

In the same area was a Bosch laser distance measure for the same regular price as the Ryobi Pro (~$150). If I were a contractor and were actually going to drop this much money, I'd go for the Bosch. If HD can't figure out why their Ryobi stuff isn't moving, maybe they shouldn't try to price it with the big boys when it says Ryobi on it. It's like trying to price a Focus same as an Audi.

 

[Ign]

On another note I actually had need for this tonight and it was sweet.

I had to measure from a concrete pad to an upper steel pipe (round) for a gate. In the dark.

I set the unit on the concrete, aligned the laser with the apex of the pipe, and pushed the button.

Then, not trusting this unit yet I used my old school method of running a tape, took a small bubble level and leveled it on the pipe to make sure I was exactly in the plane with the bottom of the round. In the dark. While trying to keep a worklight such that I could read my tape. On a ladder.

In an example like this the unit with the laser spot and backlit display wins for ease of use. And came up within a 1/16" or better of what I got with my tape. Good enough to build a gate.

 

[matty d]

I have a few Tek 4 and am real happy but havent tried any of the measuring tools. I wish they kept the line and added more tools/gadgets to it.

Overall Im pretty satisfied with the: flashlight (small and large), mp3 (free with headphones), headphones. I only have 2 batteries; hope they last since the line is going out....

 

[Ign]

Unless someone has seen an official company statement it's not a sure thing they're doing away with the line. Merely speculation based upon how several items are going on clearance. Maybe they're only getting rid of the measuring tools, or maybe they'll bring out updated versions of the measuring tools next year. Who knows.

 

[fury9]

The Ryobe Tek4 multimeter is on clearance at Home Depot stores near my for $29, I bought one and took it back. Seemed like a great sale price given its original cost ($90), but it really lacks any professional features. It wasnt auto-ranging and didnt do temperature (with probes). Obviously no true-RMS, which I would expect to be included in a "professional" meter. It did have a really nice big screen readout and seemed like it was in a tough case.

Picked up one of these a couple days ago for $29. Mine has a big range button on it to switch from auto to manual. Should work for the minor things I'll need it for