Laser Measurer Purchase Advice

[Pete Humphrey]

I'm looking to buy a new laser measurer. For years I have used a Ryobi laser measure that I bought at Home Depot on sale for $50 and which they don't make anymore. Last week it disappeared. I think I left it at a house and the homeonwer decided to keep it, since I called and he said he hasn't seen it. This poor man's Disto has worked fine for me since it fits in my back pocket, and since I still use a tape for a good portion of my measuring. I found this laser tool to be great indoors, in the shady areas outside, and for shorter distances, but for longer stretches with no target to hit, I still find my tape to be easier and more accurate. So my question is, does anyone else use a cheaper but perfectly good laser and if so, what type? Is there any huge advantage to spending $100's more on a Disto? Advice please?

 

[Peter LeQuire]

Bosch makes several; DeWalt makes a couple - all for less than $100. I use a Bosch GLM 50 - about $80 at Lowes or Home Despot.

 

[JTip]

I like my D5. I didn't need the blue tooth option (D8) so this worked out perfect.

Owned it for 6+ years now with zero issues. Interior measuring is perfect, cloudy day outside is great. What makes this so versatile is the build in camera. One button turns on the 'tv screen' with sight market (think rifle scope 1 MOA) and you can easily hit the downspout from 40-50+ feet away dead on.

I bought mine on ebay for 3-4 hundred used (499 retail). Here is one that is going off in 4 days:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Leica-Disto...290238?hash=item43ea7429be:g:7RgAAOSwWTRW05ds

Yeah it's several hundy but write it off and you will have yourself a lifelong piece of premium equipment that will impress all the homeowners along with delivering exacting results.

 

[JTip]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Leica-DISTO...e6383d8&pid=100009&rk=1&rkt=1&sd=322010822966

A no reserve D8 with a day+ to go.....

 

[marc paolella]

After many years, my originally $400 Disto got stolen. I replaced it with the $129 Bosch model from Home Depot and it is better in every respect. Easier to use, easier to hold, smaller, brighter red dot, easier to change the conventional AA battery, etc. I don't think it is worth it to spend a premium for a Disto for our profession. For me, the cheaper unit far outperformed the premium unit. Bosch GLM 50 C.

 

[Pete Humphrey]

Thank you too all, especially to Marc. That's the way I'm leaning. I think I'll go pick up a Bosch today!

 

[Pete Humphrey]

Woo hoo! I just bought the Bosch GLM 50 C with Blue Tooth and color back lit display for $99 on ebay! It was the last one! Lucky me!

 

[JTip]

Did you find three comps to support the $99 purchase price? Shipping included? Seller has multiple/positive feedback? USA seller?

lol

 

[Slappy]

I use Home Depot or Goodman Lumber $20 100 foot metal tape measures. They get rusty after a year so I have to replace them. I am very old school. There is one advantage though with using old technology. It forces you to pause and look around/consider things more while you are winding up the tape!

 

[marc paolella]

I use Home Depot or Goodman Lumber $20 100 foot metal tape measures. They get rusty after a year so I have to replace them. I am very old school. There is one advantage though with using old technology. It forces you to pause and look around/consider things more while you are winding up the tape!

Oh, I use a tape also for exterior measurements. I only use my laser for condos and attached houses or room dimensions when I am listing a house as an agent. I think a tape is old fashioned... and much FASTER! The new ones are geared so that you can suck in 90 feet of tape with about 10 revolutions. You do have to watch out for whiplash: when you roll the tape back so fast it whips around and lashes you.