Laser measuring devices (LMDs) use a projected laser beam to calculate distances, allowing you to get accurate, single-handed measurements very quickly. I’ve been using one for several years in my remodeling business to measure room sizes, cabinet runs, and ceiling heights. Unfortunately, because my current LMD—a Bosch DLR 130—is about the size and weight of two decks of cards, it’s never earned a permanent spot in my tool belt.

Recently, I was given a chance to try the Bosch GLM 15. At 1-3/8 in. wide by 7/8 in. deep by 3-7/8 in. long and weighing just under 3 oz. (including its two AAA batteries), the tool’s most notable feature is its size.

The manufacturer gives its range from 6 in. to 50 ft. with accuracy to within 1/8 in. Units are expressed either in feet and inches to the nearest 1/16 in. or in meters to three decimal places. All measurements are from the base of the unit to the object the laser dot is projected on.

A single press of the tool’s only button turns the device on and projects the laser dot on your target. If you move the device, the display shows a continuously updated measurement. This feature is useful for stepping off dimensions or for finding the center of a long wall, for example. Pressing the button a second time holds the current measurement so that you can record it or make a mark. The 7/8-in.-sq. LCD display shows the current measurement and the previous measurement.

To check the accuracy of the GLM 15, I did some sample measurements and compared them to ones I took with my 25-ft. Stanley tape, my Lufkin folding ruler, and my older Bosch LMD. The measurements were consistent within 1/16 in. of each other. I did find greater discrepancies when I measured a countertop with a tile backsplash. In this test, the variation between the GLM 15 and the other measuring tools increased to 1/4 in. because of the reflective quality of the glazed tile.

The instructions warn about measuring to transparent, reflective, porous, or rough surfaces, so I now put a piece of blue tape on difficult surfaces before measuring.

One complaint I have is with the display. You need adequate light to read the nonbacklit screen, and fractions are displayed on the far right of the screen in the shadow of the case.

One additional way I’ve found to use the tool is as a quick-and-dirty laser level. When I set the unit on its side on my 9-in. torpedo level, the laser beam provides an accurate level line out to about 30 ft. I’ve compared it to my CST/Berger iLM laser level, and my improvised setup is accurate to within 1/8 in. at 30 ft.

The GLM 15 sells for $50. It won’t replace full-function laser measuring tools with indirect measuring, angle measuring, and Bluetooth connectivity, but its compact size and low price make it a winner.