Laser distance measuring devices
I’m shopping for a good laser measuring device … as in a laser “tape measure for primarily indoor use. Any ideas out there? Thank you!
I’m shopping for a good laser measuring device … as in a laser “tape measure for primarily indoor use. Any ideas out there? Thank you!
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Replies
What's the budget? They range up to ~$300 and even farther, and down below $100. I'm about to buy (I think) the PLS-1 although I love Stabila stuff too.
http://www.tools-plus.com/lei731663.html
Hi davidmeiland,
Thanks for getting back to me. Budget???? Yeah well like most ... the lower the better as long as it will get the job done. Looked at a Stanley / CST Berger at Amazon.com for about $100 that had 1 favorable review only. I have learned not to buy cheap laser equipment if you want a versitle and accurate tool. Laser tools have saved me as much if not more time & $ as my nail gun. Its hard to put this tool on a budget as the cheapest tool you can have is the one that is available, accurate, and powerful enough to get the job done. That said I don't have an unlimited supply of bucks to buy but do have an unlimited "want list". My priorities are: 1)accuracy, 2)ability to use indoors(mostly) but also with the power to use outside, 3)cost 4)weather proof 5)simplicity of operation - still have some ability to learn.I too like PSL stuff and am soon going to purchase their "non rotating" rotary laser with detector.Thanks,
Tom
I've got the Leica Disto classic. I love it. I don't know how much it costs in the States though.
John
Hi John,
Where did you get yours? Amazon.com no longer sells these. Don't know why. Leica is most likely top of the line.Thanks
Tom
I got mine from a firm in the UK (which is where I am), can't remember which one as the invoice is with my accountant.
JohnIf my baby don't love me no more, I know her sister will.
My wife got me one of the StraitLine devices for Xmas. Kinda neat, you point it across the room and press the button and it gives you the distance, say 12'-3". Press it again and it displays 12'-5". Figure that you must be shaky, put it on a solid surface and start pressing the button and it displays 12'-3", 12'-2", 12'-3", 12'-6", 11'-10". Far more accurate than I am with a tape measure after drinking about 10 bottles of Smirnoff Ice.
Steve.
I known what you're saying Steve. I thinik the problem may be that the blaser dot is very sensitive, and slight angles in the aiming make it bounvce off different objectys. Or whatever. But it sure doesn't provide a sense of accuracy.
"When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it." T. Roosevelt
Funny you should ask - I just received mine in the mail. (LONG Post...)
I ordered a Leica Disto Classic 5a. It has been replaced by the Disto 5a I think, a little smaller, same features (although less accuracy).
I've been looking for a while and came to the decision to buy the Classic 5a after checking into the Hilti PD30 and PD32 and also looking into the Spectra/Trimble 150.
The Hilti:
The PD32 is like $500, so it was out of my price limit.
The PD30 is $349, and HD had a deal a while back where you could get it for $260 or so, so I started looking at that real close. Great, compact durable little unit, but -
- Only 4 measurement memory.
- No triangular calculation function.
-Basically, it's about as bare bones as they come, only great quality and durability.
There were a couple of reviews I read that thought highly of the Spectra, but I could not get my hands on one and felt I should touch it before buying it.
I tried out the Stanley, but it's accuracy (for the $100 model) isn't that good, and it felt kind of cheap. They make two more advanced models, but they cost as much as the more established brands, so why bother. (I realize that they are made by Leica for Stanley, but of you are gonna spend $3-500, might as well get a Leica.
First noticed the Leica Classic 5a, cause there's a guy on Ebay that's selling them for $340 new in box. That made me research into the diff between the classic (Retail $349) and the Classic 5a (retail $499).
Turns out, at $340, the Classic 5a is a helluva bargain. It has more features than any of the previous models that I looked into, including some I hadn't seen on even the higher priced units that I had already ruled out.
One really cool thing is that it has a built-in spotting scope for aiming the laser outdoors. Amazingly enough, it works pretty well, you can even see the laser dot through the scope on most surfaces.
Other cool features:
-Larger memory : 15 measurements.
-Ability to store 10 constant measurements in memory for ref.
-Ability to do triangular calculation measurements for finding height or length of surfaces without having to be close to them.
- A feature called minimum and maximum tracking. When measuring corners to check square, instead of having to be dead nuts aimed in the corner to get an accurate read, you can scan the corner - left to right, and it will display the maximum measurement - that being the absolute corner to corner measurement. Likewise with the minimum tracking setting, you can scan an area and get the precise minimum measurement within that area.
-Multiplication of measurements taken (some only add and subtract)
-Constant laser on readout - helpful for layout and positioning.
-Time delay measurement, from 5 sec to 60 sec - nice for doing a remote measurement, i.e., set it for 30 sec and hoist it up in the air to measure between light fixtures, or set it for 5 sec and set it on the ground for a vert measurement without having to kneel on the ground next to it.
Some of these features do not immediately come to your head with, yea, I was looking for that! - Having not really used one before, I've had to really think of situations where a certain function would come in really handy. After giving it a bunch of thought, I came to the conclusion that I could save a bunch of time, not just in estimating, but working on jobs. This thing is accurate to +/- 1.5 mm over 600'.
The ebay seller I purchase through is uniconcept58. He had sold a bunch for BIN for $399, and now they are down to $339. My local Leica dealer still sells them for $499.
The one I received was new in the box, and is working fine. The buyer assured me that he would take care of any Leica warranty exchanges. That may or may not be the case a year from now, but the Disto's are known for being some of the best.
The built in spot and the pricing were the clinchers for me. I think PLS's model has a spot also, but was lacking in some of the advance features the Disto Classic 5a has. Only had it for a few hours, but the only thing it's missing is a fold out "lip" of some sort to use when reading outside corners - the Hilti has one.
Hopefully this is helpful, sorry to be so long winded.
Regards,
Julian Tracy
Edited 1/11/2006 6:32 pm ET by JulianTracy
Edited 1/11/2006 7:40 pm ET by JulianTracy
Edited 1/12/2006 12:18 am ET by JulianTracy