Laser measure devices

[scott rabin]

I just purchased the Bosch GLM400C. It does have an option to set to feet instead of inches. I did a quick check for measurement on an interior door frame, the tape was just over 2.5 ft and the Bosh was 2.510 ft. it does have a camera you can turn on with a zoom and seems to work well on long distance using my clipboard as a target.

 

[Terrel L. Shields]

The problem is most red or green dots are very difficult to see outside

The beauty of the Bosch with the camera is you can see the cross hairs with a circle and once you calibrate the dot in the circle, then you can see the circle if not the dot on the screen. It works far better in bright light than my old Disto does.

 

[Carnivore]

FYI We used Green(not always) for Aircraft Weapons sights in the military. Green Works best at night. Now days they USE Infared to keep the enemy from seeing us as easily

Why Can the Human Eye See More Shades of Green? [2021]

vision-boutique.com

What Color Catches the Eye First? | The Science of Vision

You’ve probably heard the term “that is so eye-catching,” but what really causes your eye to “catch” on a particular item or person when you look around?

vision-boutique.com

 

[TC]

I just purchased the Bosch GLM400C. It does have an option to set to feet instead of inches. I did a quick check for measurement on an interior door frame, the tape was just over 2.5 ft and the Bosh was 2.510 ft. it does have a camera you can turn on with a zoom and seems to work well on long distance using my clipboard as a target.

There's ALWAYS a target!

 

[JeffSH]

Bosch GLM400C is great. It doesn't measure 400ft as advertised, but it works very well. Lasts a long time and you can charge in your car. Made of plastic and rubber so it's durable. I drop it all the time. There's always something to target. The disto with a viewfinder uses double A batteries, which is ridiculous, otherwise I would have bought it.​

 

[Illuminati]

Bosch GLM400C is great. It doesn't measure 400ft as advertised, but it works very well. Lasts a long time and you can charge in your car. Made of plastic and rubber so it's durable. I drop it all the time. There's always something to target. The disto with a viewfinder uses double A batteries, which is ridiculous, otherwise I would have bought it.​

My disto D810 touch has a lithium battery that recharges using micro USB.

It is a similar shape to an AA battery but definitely not one.

 

[ValueAZ]

Any thoughts of which laser measuring device is good to use?

I have been using a Bosch Blaze 165. It is the $70 Home Deport variety. Inexpensive, reliable... I use it in conjunction with a 100ft tape measure. I have been using this variety for the past 6 years. Good bang for the buck, compact, cheap enough to replace when it wears out, breaks or gets lost. I use the non color screen version as it is better on batteries.

 

[RustyTapeMeasure]

The overwhelming responses will endorse various models of Disto. Its made by Leica, a company known for high quality cameras and lenses for decades.

I've used a $89 Stanley Fat Max for over 15 years and its done what I need, but then, my needs are simple. Bosch also makes some good, basic lasers.

Haha, Cool & Agree. I have the 50 ft Stanley Fat Max with the 3:1 gear ratio, had a few taken care of them, went to buy a few more years ago found out they were seemingly discontinued and ordered up 6 more for $10 a piece close out, won't need another in my career as I am stil using my older ones. Its small and fast as F reeling that tape in. I also carry in my back pocket the tiny Bosch GLM 20, the battery lasts for a long time and it does pretty good on insanely bright sunny days outdoors and of course is a champ in shaded outside and interior usage. I was never going to be that big wheel or little wheel guy although a few decades ago everyone would ask " why don't you use the wheel", proceed to show them how fast with the tape and or how can i use the wheel on this steep hill the house is built in to here in Hollywood Hills.

 

[RCA]

If you are looking for the best reliable laser meter, that would be the Hilti PD-E, but expensive at $779 (Home Depot). It is just that they don't do much advertising or pay for good reviews. It works fine and the red dot is a lot easier to see than the X4. It is very rugged. They have been in business since 1941, and they were founded in Schaan, Liechtenstein:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schaan#/media/File:TriesenbergFL_1.jpg

In the US, their main production is in Texas (Plano, Dallas).

PD-E Laser meter - Laser meters - Hilti USA

Hilti Laser meters - PD-E Laser meter - Outdoor laser meter with integrated viewfinder for measurements up to 200 m / 650 ft

www.hilti.com

I still have my Hilti PD-20 which I bought around 2004. I can't use the PD-20 anymore because it doesn't measure in hundredths of a foot, only hundredths of an inch or thousandths of a meter. And, - I am completely on the standard 1/100 foot in everything:

Keson Engineering Fiberglass Tape 1/100' (100' and 400')
+ Leica Disto X4 set to 1/100'
+ optional Disto DST 360 Kit (tripod and carrying case) which works only with the X2 and X4 (not the Leica Disto D810)

I am not absolutely sure that the PD-E can measure in hundredths of a foot, as the documentation doesn't clearly state that. You would have to call Hilti. But I would guess it does.

Note: I tried the D810 and didn't like it at all.

If you are using an X4 or other meter for point-to-point measurements of a second or third-story floor, you can do it by holding it in your hand, but it is really difficult to hold it on target at the very edge of a corner from 50+ feet away. You really need a steady tripod to accurately aim and hold it for reading. However, at this point in time, there are likely better things to spend your money on than a DST360 tripod.