FatMax pros and cons

[Couch Potato]

Mine is very accurate on long distances, but not on shorter ones.

If a wall is 12 feet, I can take 10 measurements and get at least 6 different measurements from maybe 6' to 15'. Anyone else run into this, or did I just get a lemon?

I would say you got a lemon. I have never had such variations in several months of use.

 

[Herire Ghazanian]

Who's selling it for $49? I paid $99+tax from Lowes hardware store.

The back of the box on mine says "Outdoor Use : Yes"! I remember checking this particularly before buying it. Can't find anywhere on the box that says this device is designed for indoor use only.

 

[Smokey Bear]

Home Depot likes to put them on sale once in a while. I got my FatMax 200 for $125 (1/2 price) online on Christmas eve. It was on sale for only a few days, I had to keep checking. Usually around "present" time, so next sale might not be until Father's Day.

 

[TC]

You get what you pay for, buy a Disto.

and get this kewl Capn Kirk accessory.

TC

 

[matt_johnson]

Herire,

The TLM 100 uses a different class of laser. That's why it is harder to use outside. That's not an opinion. It's fact. It was designed that way.


TC,

The pistol grip is very cool. Good lookin hand model, huh? ;-)

 

[Herire Ghazanian]

Actually if the batteries last a fair bit the TLM 100 is more or less a good complement to my measuring wheel. I'll try Cindy's suggestion and see how it works. Just not ready to dish out for a disto right now.

 

[TC]

Actually if the batteries last a fair bit the TLM 100 is more or less a good complement to my measuring wheel.

Jeez, I'm 53, and when I got in the biz back in 77 only the OLD FARTS used a wheel, can't believe ANYONE still does. This is the 90's, throw away the Polaroid, the IBM selectrix, the rub on arrows, the dot matrix printer, and the GD Wheel.

oops, it's not the 90's, never mind.

TC

 

[Blue1]

On Monday I measured an outside wall that that had mud and dog doo along it....I stood in one dry spot well away from the mess. I did it with my Disto using the triangulation function. I did an FHA where there was a high voltage tower in the back. I used the scope on the Disto to measure to the top of the tower (48' high) and then from the tower to the back of the house. I stood in 1 spot the whole time. I changed the batteries in my disto twice since I bought it a couple of years ago. It has been worth every penny.

 

[D-Max]

I use the TLM 100 to compliment my tape. Although it is sometimes impossible to use in the sun it still works very well and is A LOT less painful than walking behing Holly and Rose bushes. I must also say that the FatMax is 99.9% more accurate and easier to use on the interior than a tape or sonic device. I average saving 15-20 minutes on 1 1/2 story homes.

I've only known 2 appraiser's that have used wheels to measure. Ironically both lost were reprimanded for square footage problems.

As for accuracy, the only time I've noticed a a problem measuring was when the battery was getting weak (which it has an indicator for). I'd love to have a Disto but as long as I can buy tapes for $10 and suppliment them with the FatMax I don't see spending that kind of money.

 

[xm72mhd]

Jeez, I'm 53, and when I got in the biz back in 77 only the OLD FARTS used a wheel, can't believe ANYONE still does. This is the 90's, throw away the Polaroid, the IBM selectrix, the rub on arrows, the dot matrix printer, and the GD Wheel.

oops, it's not the 90's, never mind.

TC

Ditto about the passing of the antique wheel. Talk about inaccurate! Did you ever roll one of those darned things around a vacant overgrown lot trying to measure a house? Hooray, for the laser, Disto or Fat Max. Me and mine are connected at the hip. My laser probably isn't perfect, but I can't figure out what's wrong with it yet.