Sunlight and Laser Measurement Help Please

[Terrel L. Shields]

Truth - accuracy is not precision
A laser is no more accurate than a tape measure.
A laser is more precise than a tape measure.
A wheel is less accurate but just as meaningful unless you have to report in tenths of a foot...it's accuracy is probably under 1% in tenths per 100' unless the ground is really rough and it is that roughness that creates the lack of accuracy. Precision? It will readily measure to the tenth of an foot. It just needs a very smooth surface to roll on. The wheels are normally calibrated to be very precise.

 

[RCA]

Hello everyone,
I need some advice from you sage appraisers on this forum. I use a Disto D2 Laser for measurements and I have been having problems in sunny conditions for a long time that force me to be creative in measuring properties where I cannot see the laser dot. I live in San Diego, so for the most part it is always sunny. It drives me crazy when I spend an excessive amount of time making sure that my measurement is correct with the laser when I cannot see the actual dot and have to resort to taking measurements in increments, typically I set up my clipboard and shoot in like 10 feet increments, but this is honestly a pain in the @ss. Does anyone have any tips or tricks as to how to see the laser dot in sunny conditions? I researched the Disto X4, Disto E7500i, and Disto D810 but they are priced a bit on the high end $399 - $864 and I'm not even sure if they really work in sunny conditions, as they claim on the Disto website. Is upgrading to one of these expensive lasers really worth it? Does anyone have any magic tricks that they would like to provide me with so that I can have an easier time measuring with a lot less stress and anxiety?

As always, if you have gotten this far I really appreciate your time and hope to get your input. This has been really bothering me for a long time and I guess I am willing to pay for the upgrade, but I want to see if these models really work or if there is a different laser that is superior. And I would rather not use a measuring tape.

Thanks!

I have an X4 and so it is not a problem - you have a picture on the screen of where you are pointing to and a cross where the laser is pointed.

But, in my case, I mostly use an engineering tape measure outside (inches on the white side and hundredths of a foot on the yellow side)., except where i have a wall sticking out that I can more easily point the laser to. I can also use the X4 with a Disto 360 to get hard to reach places on the second and third stories. The X4 is also set to measure in 1/100'ths of a foot. Most of the work measuring is interior measurements.

 

[Tom D]

i agree, a normal laser cannot be seen in bright sunlight. great advice from everyone here. i decided to get the bosch 150C professional. i can't take the invisible red dot in bright sunlight, just too annoying when even happening sometimes.

 

[Elliott]

Fact or Fiction?: NASA Spent Millions to Develop a Pen that Would Write in Space, whereas the Soviet Cosmonauts Used a Pencil

The problem of weightless writing was not solved by either Soviet central planning or good old American sub-contracting, but by a private investor and a good idea

www.scientificamerican.com

 

[NC Appraising]

I have the Disto 810. It has the camera function, so the sunlight is never an issue. Although the Bosche that terral posted looks good too.

Vegetation is my worst enemy. I simply get it from the inside.

Like Zoe posted, I also just get an interior measurement for areas that I cannot get from the outside. Really easy if you are still using pen and paper. I use a tablet; therefore I have to get more creative. I sometimes guess what it is, and then when I go inside, I can simply adjust it.

 

[Elliott]

FYI, we all agree on this, right?

 

[Carnivore]

Terrell said it best I will paraphrase i.e bushes, fences protrustions etc - All this precision i.e 1/10/or 1/12 of a Ft direct measurement is BS. I will add where it all goes bad. Direct measurement of upper levels/stories is impossible. for one person and almost impossible even with two people. ANSI Page 2 3.1 2nd paragraph addresses that issue. Then they say in the next section 3.2 and again its sort of repeated . You have to make a delaritive Statement that you DID NOT direct measure the upper Levels.

So there really is no precision, but at least your fairly or at least very close. This really will slow down your competition i.e Mr Bragadocious, and all the Zippidy-Do-Da appraisers. You know the appraisers who were completing 2, 3 and even-4 FNMA 1004's inspections a day for the past 2-3 years.

Additionally if they really want consistency then they would exclude town home 1+ storied style SFR. Just tell us to measure Paint to Paint on them. Laser works really well. You could do this with the same building style condo's Paint to Paint. Easy Peasy and Consistent

 

[sputnam]

I wish I could help. My 100' fiberglass tape measure never has that problem.

 

[Carnivore]

Over at the Facebook Appraiser Forum Zoo. Some member said he was a HMS! Hmmm Never heard of it and what is that?

He said he was covered up and making more money measuring than appraising with a tenth of the hassle.

Here it is: https://homemeasurementspecialist.com/ Interesting!

" This training program offers real estate professionals the unique opportunity to learn and build key skills in the “art” of home measurement. And, a new wealth of knowledge to understand (and be able to explain) the influence of square footage on the home comparison and valuation processes."

Check it out you can find them in your area

Find an HMS Agent | Home Measurement Specialist

homemeasurementspecialist.com

You know what I think? I think these people are the ones doing inspections for Desk-toppy and Burb It up Reports. I also think they are making more money than the appraisers who are completing Desktop Assignments. Chew on that awhile

 

[Overimprovement]

Over at the Facebook Appraiser Forum Zoo. Some member said he was a HMS! Hmmm Never heard of it and what is that?

He said he was covered up and making more money measuring than appraising with a tenth of the hassle.

It was on facebook, it must be true.

Seriously, folks generally do not give away seeds to their money tree. The desire to keep great money coming in generally exceeds the need to brag about it. That is why I am always skeptical of braggards on this or any other forum. If any of us has a client that pays 200% C&R, no stips, with nothing but cookie cutter assignments, please post their name here so we can praise you! We promise not to add them to our client list.

I'm not saying an HMS cannot make good money if they are efficient, but it is also possible this is simply an HMS course owner looking to get people to pay for the classes.