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Tape measure advice
- Thread starter Daniels
- Start date
my son started at a demo/resto job last year and specifically asked for a Bosch for Christmas. I got him one and he loves it. I have zero experience with them though, and couldn't see why anybody would want one, but for quoting work he says it's extremely handy to quickly measure rooms. he said the cheap ones are junk...fwiw...
rlitman
Well-known member
A friend of mine had the Bosch, but returned it because their included software was worse than worthless. He then got the Leica, and while he uses other software now, he really loves it.
He can walk through a building and have floor plans good enough for his purposes put together in minutes. If you need that capability, then great, if not, then it's probably a nice toy.
He can walk through a building and have floor plans good enough for his purposes put together in minutes. If you need that capability, then great, if not, then it's probably a nice toy.
gtsgarage
Well-known member
I love my Bosch. Works great for long distances and very quick measurements seems accurate. I am. DIYer but after seeing a contractor use one I had to have it. Not something I need often but great to have.
Stuey
Well-known member
Bosch is great. Start by figuring out a budget, which usually corresponds to the range you get.
If working indoors in residential spaces, a 50' or 65' range model would be more than enough.
The GLM 20 is good, the GLM 35 costs a little more but has more functions/calculations.
If you want to spend less than ~$40, you'll need to pick a different brand.
If working indoors in residential spaces, a 50' or 65' range model would be more than enough.
The GLM 20 is good, the GLM 35 costs a little more but has more functions/calculations.
If you want to spend less than ~$40, you'll need to pick a different brand.
Alexander
Well-known member
It's all about the specifics of what you're trying to measure.
In my world, tape measures and lasers are not interchangeable most of the time. They are best at two different things.
Distos excel at doing things like site surveys. Measuring rooms, ceiling heights, large distances. They are wholly inappropriate for most in-shop uses, where a tape measure is perfect.
In regards to manufacturers, Leica and Bosch are the two most common brands I trust the most. I've had mine for something like 8 years now, and used a few others on and off for the better part of a decade.
For features, it's up to what you think you would use. This is my situation:
- Measuring Length is probably the biggest factor. I have a 130, but I've hit the limit a few times.
- I honestly don't use the area and volume functions that often.
- Indirect length has come in handy a couple times.
- Continuous update would be nice for me to have, though mine predates that feature (or I was being cheap when I bought it).
- I don't have bluetooth, but I wouldn't use it.
- Having a backlit screen would be nice, but I'd personally avoid getting a full on LCD screen, as that seems like a big waste of battery to me.
- Pay attention to simple things like fractional/decimal/metric, which one it defaults to, etc. That is more of a concern on some of the cheaper units.
- Make sure it sits flat on the surface (some don't!). Some fancier ones have tilt sensors as well.
- You can go even fancier and get extra sensors, cameras, and other features, but at that point you're getting into more commercial distos, and you should do further research into your own needs.
- I generally only work indoors, so someone else may have better advice for outdoor uses.
I hope some of this was helpful.
In my world, tape measures and lasers are not interchangeable most of the time. They are best at two different things.
Distos excel at doing things like site surveys. Measuring rooms, ceiling heights, large distances. They are wholly inappropriate for most in-shop uses, where a tape measure is perfect.
In regards to manufacturers, Leica and Bosch are the two most common brands I trust the most. I've had mine for something like 8 years now, and used a few others on and off for the better part of a decade.
For features, it's up to what you think you would use. This is my situation:
- Measuring Length is probably the biggest factor. I have a 130, but I've hit the limit a few times.
- I honestly don't use the area and volume functions that often.
- Indirect length has come in handy a couple times.
- Continuous update would be nice for me to have, though mine predates that feature (or I was being cheap when I bought it).
- I don't have bluetooth, but I wouldn't use it.
- Having a backlit screen would be nice, but I'd personally avoid getting a full on LCD screen, as that seems like a big waste of battery to me.
- Pay attention to simple things like fractional/decimal/metric, which one it defaults to, etc. That is more of a concern on some of the cheaper units.
- Make sure it sits flat on the surface (some don't!). Some fancier ones have tilt sensors as well.
- You can go even fancier and get extra sensors, cameras, and other features, but at that point you're getting into more commercial distos, and you should do further research into your own needs.
- I generally only work indoors, so someone else may have better advice for outdoor uses.
I hope some of this was helpful.
Last edited:
I’ve had a couple of Bosch units over the past 8 years, they work well as long as the batteries aren’t nearly dead. The only complaint I have is longer ranges, my Bosch GLM40 is rated to 165’, but anything over 120’ is a **** shoot. I understand beam divergence and realize these will not always hit the long ranges. I mainly map automotive dealership floor plans and industrial facilities for evacuation maps. Plans aren’t usually available so I have to draw it by hand then cad my work on Visio.
Has anyone had any luck with the cheaper units on Amazon? I need to buy about 7 units for my team and would like a cheaper alternative than Bosch. For most applications 100’ would be plenty. I’m skeptical of the 250’+ ratings on some of the cheapies, but the amazon reviews look decent.
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=laser+ta...011&sprefix=Laser+,tools,184&ref=sr_nr_p_72_1
If I have to buy Bosch then so be it, but I may try a decent rated cheapie as an experiment.
Has anyone had any luck with the cheaper units on Amazon? I need to buy about 7 units for my team and would like a cheaper alternative than Bosch. For most applications 100’ would be plenty. I’m skeptical of the 250’+ ratings on some of the cheapies, but the amazon reviews look decent.
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=laser+ta...011&sprefix=Laser+,tools,184&ref=sr_nr_p_72_1
If I have to buy Bosch then so be it, but I may try a decent rated cheapie as an experiment.
Professional Tool User
Well-known member
The laser ones have their limitations. Figure out what you are going to be measuring and go from there.
PugetDude
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Really depends on what you are measuring; big difference between your **** and your deck.
fourjeepin
Well-known member
I have the Bosch GLL2CP which is the 65’ tape and a cross line level. Under $70 and works great. I got it for the cross level and didn’t realize how handy the tape would be. I have been using it a lot with my fence project lately. It is perfect for measuring between posts.