Replies

1. 
   cap | Feb 18, 2007 09:27am | #1

   Leica Disto.

   I've had one for a few years.  Incredibly versatile, amazingly accurate.  Priced accordingly.

   The only thing you need is a surface at the distant end of the dimension to hit with the lazer spot.  There usually is one.  On rare occasion you have to create one.

   Try one, you'll find it very hard to go back to a tape.

   Cliff

1. 
   johnAwalker | Feb 19, 2007 11:05pm | #12

   Same as Cap, I have the newer Leica A3 its very accurate, after having cheaper ones over the years you would never be without it.
   Cheers,
   Johnhttp://www.johnwalkerbuilders.com

1. 
   finedesign | Feb 20, 2007 02:58am | #13

   We use several of the Leicas and love them.

   Only problem is it does not work on black surfaces. Bring some post it notes with you, and stick those on as targets when you have this problem. Also, you can put the post it notes on outside walls for example, and use that as a target to hit when measuring outside length dimensions.

   You can also use it to tell when something is square or not really quickly be measuring corners.

   I use tapes for little things like measuring furniture, but the laser is the workhorse.

2. 
   davidmeiland | Feb 18, 2007 09:59am | #2

   I have a PLS1. It is an amazing tool, and although it has not replaced my tape measure there are things it can do that can hardly be done any other way. I measured up a church recently and it was very convenient to use the tool to measure the height of the ridge.... 40 feet off the floor. Also very nice for measuring an interior full of furniture and art without dragging the metal end of a tape measure over everything.

1. 
   gibrock | Feb 19, 2007 04:28am | #3

   Has anyone worked with a Hilti?

1. 
   CAGIV | Feb 19, 2007 07:04am | #4

   I played with the one that one of our carpet subs has.

   My initial impression had me wanting to purchase one.  

2. 
   boiler7904 | Feb 19, 2007 08:13am | #5

   I'm not in the trades but I bought the Hilti PD30 in August 2005. It's one of those tools that doesn't get used all the time but you're glad you have it when you need it.Main use at work is taking measurements of existing buildings that our company (architectural firm) is designing additions or remodels for. Makes measurement a real quick task - what would take a full day with two guys can now be done in 3 or 4 hours. It also allows for figuring building height accurately.I also use the area calc function at home for estimating paint and flooring. Accuracy without doing math is always a plus.I also learned that the dog doesn't like it. She can't understand why she can never catch the beam. Makes for an irritated dog.Let me know if you have any specific questions. 

1. 
   gibrock | Feb 19, 2007 09:06am | #6

   I had a sonar device and I found it took a few seconds to make a calculation.  It wasn't very accurate because I never knew what the laser was measuring.  I understand the laser devices are much quicker and accuracy is not a question.  How much was the PD30?  Have you had any experience with any other laser measuring devices?

1. 
   JulianTracy | Feb 19, 2007 11:01am | #7

   After doing a bit of research, I picked a Leica model Classic 5a. The current PLS Laser meter is an exact copy of mine.Leica has since introduced newer models that are smaller than the one I own.I looked at the Hilti, and it sure seemed nice, but it was missing quite a few features that the Leica offered.The Hilti only has like 1 or 2 recent measurements in memory. Maybe I'm wrong, but I know it wasn't any more than 4-5 anyways - the Leica has 15 recent measurments memory.The Lecia will do triangulation measurements: you can measure the height or width of a building from 50' away.The Leica has a built-in spotting scope - in bright daylight or for far away readings you can spot the laser beam through the scope for greater accuracy; the Hilti has an accessory scope, but IIRC it was like $100 extra.For measuring from wihin corners - the Hilti has an akward flip out metal peice to situate teh meter directly in the corner - the Leica has a narrow base that allows for corner placement automatically.One cool thing the Leica offers is a setting allowing you to get the closest or farthest measurement from a range of readings the meter does automatically. This is real handy if you want to chek the square of a foundation or room - you merely wave the meter across the corner and it will give you the farthest distance read - that being the exact corner. The closest reading setting could be handy if you want to check the distance of say a hanging light fixture but can't hold the dam thing steady enough on the fixture cord. You could just sway the meter across the area where the light is hanging and it'll give you the closest measurement - that being the light fixture or even it's cord.I think the new ones are the A3 and the A5, the A3 being the entry level simple model.You might keep an eye on Amazon - I've seen the PLS model for close to $200 a few times.I've seen the model I have on Ebay a few times for close to $240 or so new - I paid about $340 for mine a year and a half ago.The Hilti is small and built like a tank and for just basic measurments is very nice, but at the very least the lack of the memory's was a major dealbreaker.Julian

2. 
   boiler7904 | Feb 19, 2007 08:18pm | #11

   I want to say that it was $350 plus tax through the Hilti desk at my local Home Depot.  The laser device is very quick - usually way less than a second.  The book for mine lists accuracy at something like +-1/16" at 600'.  I've never measured more than about 350' and that was just playing around to see if it really went that far.  One thing I have noticed - using it outdoors is frustrating at best in bright sunlight.

   I don't have experience with other makes.  One of the steel contractors I deal with a lot had the Hilti and had nothing but good things to say about it.  After seeing his in action on a jobsite and then experimenting with the Hilti rep's in the store, I was pretty happy with it and decided to take the plunge.

   This is one of those tools where you want to test what you're considering before you buy.  I recently noticed that the local Berland's store has the Leica units in stock.  I would have liked to try one if they had been available when I bought.

   Buying one of these is a lot like buying any other tech device.  As soon as you buy one, that manufacturer will release a new line and so will every other company.  They'll all have more features for the same or lower cost.  Never fails. 

3. 
   karp | Feb 19, 2007 08:18pm | #10

   Yes, very nice, very versitile. $600. Cdn.

3. 
   pill128 | Feb 19, 2007 12:02pm | #8

   If you interested at getting a more affordable laser measuring device, check out the Stanley FatMax. I have been using one for the last few months and agree with what other have said here -- indispensable for many tasks. The Stanley goes for under $100 and has shown to be quite accurate, but does not have the features of some of the more expensive models. Forget the "sonar" devices, they are slow and inaccurate.

4. 
   timkline | Feb 19, 2007 03:19pm | #9

   I have the PLS 1 and like it very much.   I use it almost every day.  You will notice that there are a handful of brands all sharing the same Leica guts with different packaging.

   Only have a few minor complaints.  The first is the size, it's a little hefty, although having the belt holster for it (supplied) is nice for carrying during use.

   The second is that the unit can have some difficulty measuring on very dark surfaces, which can be an issue with our fire restoration work.   I usually can find a lighter spot on the wall, it rarely gets bad enough that I need to get out my tape.

   The manufacturer claims ability to read to 600 feet.  I have never been able to go further than about 260 feet and the lighting needs to be proper for long shots like this.    Believe it or not, shots at night work the best.  It also requires that the device be held very steady.  I guess that's why it comes with a mini tripod mount.  Never used it.

   My boss uses the Hilti PD 32 the successor to the PD 30.  It is much smaller than the PLS 1 and more importantly now has an optical sight built in (like the PLS 1).  The optical sight (like a mini telescope) helps you see the red dot at distance, especially on bright days.   The optical sight is very important to have.

   I had the sonar units, haha, what a joke.   The laser units are almost accurate enough to cut trim with them.  I couldn't imagine working without one.

    

   carpenter in transition