Best small measuring wheels

[Vermonter]

Don't listen to the haters.....have a disto, steel logger tapes and still find my wheels the fastest measuring tool. Use a big Lufkin one for lot lines/septic/well distances, little FatMax one for house. Current little one I've had since 05 and it cost $12. The big one I've had since 98 and it cost $29. Get one with a rubber wheel if you can find it.

I have a D5, but it hasn't really impressing me so far. Have trouble with battery life in the cold and targets in snow/bright sun (which is the only time the wheels are a PITA) and regardless what the rest will tell you there is no time savings using one on a structure....and none that justify the price tag.

 

[444nutman]

There is an episode of the Sopranos where they beat up the appraiser with his wheel. Something to think about. Would you rather be beat up with a wheel or a disto?

 

[Vetteman]

Once I resorted to using my wheel on the head of a pit bull. Stopped the SOB long enough for me to get over a fence, but my wheel paid a heavier price. Try doing that with a disto or tape.

 

[incognito]

I knocked out cold the biggest, meanest cocker spaniel (don't laugh-it was vicious) with a swing of my plastic encased 100' tape. I will never forget the sight, laying there with its tongue hanging limp out of the side of it's mouth.

The owner was right next to me, and in complete shock. The dog had nipped me twice and I told the owner I did not want to be bitten again. He thought it was all funny and did not control the dog. I KO'd the dog and continued measuring, and left. Never heard a word about it....

The tape worked as good as new! Try doing that with a wheel!

 

[Tom Woolford]

I have a D5, but it hasn't really impressing me so far. Have trouble with battery life in the cold and targets in snow/bright sun (which is the only time the wheels are a PITA) and regardless what the rest will tell you there is no time savings using one on a structure....and none that justify the price tag.

If you are ever on the west coast of Florida, stop by and well find a nice big house with lots of anges and stuff, and we'll test your theory. Bet you $500 I have a completed sketch before you have even rounded the second side of the building.

 

[Vermonter]

If you are ever on the west coast of Florida, stop by and well find a nice big house with lots of anges and stuff, and we'll test your theory. Bet you $500 I have a completed sketch before you have even rounded the second side of the building.

Sure...you paying the airfare?

Then you can come up here in January and we'll go double or nothin on a ranch when it's 20 below and the sun is blazing off the snow.

 

[rijman]

I've been searching YouTube and online for a demo on measuring homes with a laser and I haven't found one yet. There are demos, but none on how to measure the exterior of a home. I'm not even sure how to use a laser in certain situations where there are no targets or there is too much foliage against a wall to shoot through, under or over it. I have been using a wheel for many years and just got a double wheeler, but I'm considering getting a Disto.

 

[Wendy]

Sorry, I love my small wheel. On a Florida stucco house nothing is faster (and don't tell me it is not accurate - I've wheeled and taped multiple houses to test the accuracy).

Tape works best on T1-11 and brick - about the only time I do not use the wheel.

Plus, the wheel is really good for clearing the spider webs and nudging black snakes away.

 

[incognito]

Then you can come up here in January and we'll go double or nothin on a ranch when it's 20 below and the sun is blazing off the snow.

Does he get to wear those really cool red glasses? (they do work, but I would not be caught dead in them!)

 

[rijman]

If you are ever on the west coast of Florida, stop by and we'll find a nice big house with lots of angles and stuff, and we'll test your theory. Bet you $500 I have a completed sketch before you have even rounded the second side of the building.

I have been getting conflicting information on measuring times. Some say the Distos are quicker and others say they aren't. Depends on the user I guess. I don't see how it could be twice as fast, per your comment, given both appraisers walk around the house, sketch the house and write down measurements. Shooting a laser and walking to the next wall is twice as fast as rolling the wheel while you walk? Doesn't make sense to me especially if you have trouble finding accurate targets for the laser. I can see where they would be times the laser is a little quicker. If you can sketch the home on the Disto while you measure without stopping to draw it then that would certainly save time. My interest in the Disto is based more on accuracy although a little time savings would be a nice added feature.