Kathy,
I decided to respond to your post since you haven’t had any replies. The laser tools that you mentioned are called Disto Laser Distance Meters and are manufactured by Leica, Inc. They weigh less than 16 ounces, are about 6 to 7 inches long, and will measure up to 300 feet. They will measure in ft/inches, ft/ tenths, inches or meters. Unlike ultrasonic measuring tools that use sound waves to calculate distances, these use actual laser technology. This makes them ideal for an appraiser because the laser technology is not affected by weather. Ultrasonic tools should not be used outside because extreme temperatures and other weather conditions can affect the speed at which sound travels.
Using a Disto is very easy. Just aim the laser at a target and push a button. The measurement is displayed instantly. The Disto will keep you from having to straddle bushes, walk through gardens, step in muddy areas or deal with anything else that is in your way. Just aim the laser over, under or around these things to get your measurement. Ever opened a garage door only to find the homeowner is using it for storage? This can be pretty frustrating when measuring with a tape but it is simple with a Disto. Just point and shoot.
Here are a few things that can be used as a target when measuring outside:
Walls
Downspouts/gutters
Cable & phone boxes
A/C units
Trees
Basically, you can use anything that is solid. The only thing you can’t use is a window because the laser will pass through the glass.
The most commonly asked question about the Disto tools is, “How do you measure a straight wall when you have nothing to use as a target?” You have several options:
1) The Disto Classic, Pro, & Pro A all have the Pythagorean function. You face one of the corners, of the wall you are measuring, at a right angle, aim the laser at that corner, and take the measurement. You then aim the laser at the opposite corner and take that
measurement. The Disto will then tell you the length of the wall. The Pythagorean function allows you to stand as close or as far from the wall as you want.
2) If using a Disto Lite, you can step away from the wall ( no more than 2 feet) and then aim the laser at the opposite corner. As long as you stay within 2 feet, your measurement will be accurate.
It should be noted that most residential walls have something that you can use as a target. Downspouts/gutters make great targets. While we all hate downspouts when measuring with a tape ( they make hooking the tape to a corner pretty difficult), you will love them when using a Disto. Also, you can break up a long measurement into 2 or 3 measurements. Cable & phone boxes & a/c units make great targets for this.
The main thing to remember about these tools is that they will cut your “exterior” measuring time in half. If you need to measure an interior (2nd/3rd floor, basement, attic), your measuring time will be reduced by 75% because you always have targets when measuring inside (walls, furniture, toys, etc..). Just point and shoot. Need to know the height of a ceiling? No problem. Put the Disto on the ground, aim it at the ceiling, and take the measurement. It is that simple.
If you would like to chat with other appraisers who are using these tools, feel free to join the Laser Appraiser email group. Here is the link………
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LaserAppraiser/
If you would like to see the Disto tools at AppraiserDepot.com, click on this link…………
http://www.appraiserdepot.com/merchant3/merchant.mv
If you buy one through the AppraiserDepot.com, you can use the Disto for 30 days. If you don’t like it, you can return it.
If you email me privately, I will send you the email address of an appraiser in Key West that started using a Disto 2 weeks ago. She appraises houses on stilts and says that the Disto works great. My email address is
mjohnson@appraiserdepot.com .
Best Regards,