What Is The Best House Outdoor Measuring Device?

[Brookie]

My wheel broke so I have to get a new measuring device. What is recommended?

Thanks!

I love my Stanley Fat Max. That plus my fiberglass tape.

 

[Marty Boone]

Bosch DLR 130, cheaper than a disto. Can wear it on my belt, but I usually just keep it in my pocket.

 

[Tom Woolford]

Same here. I am not color blind but cannot believe that a disto will measure Bay Windows, unusual angles, and many other things I encounter such as open foyers with a stairwell.

All the things you mention are very easy with a Disto, and you don't have to worry about where to hook a tape. Angles are simple using a Mitre-gauge, and a hell of a lot more accurate than trying to figure rise/run. Unless you have actually used a Disto, you have no basis for comparison. "Cannot believe", forgive me, comes from lack of knowledge of the device.

 

[Mr Rex]

An open foyer with a staircase is an example of how much time you can save with a laser versus a tape. Believe it.

 

[Elliott]

My apprentice, Barbie says, "Foyers are easy, Distos are for dummies!"

 

[CindyR]

Nice to see a few of you mention fat max 35. I just replaced mine - had noticed a little crack at 7"2' and know from years of experience that the tiny crack means failure is imminent. Sure enough the tape failed three days after the replacement was loaded into the depths of the appraiser mobile. That and a 100ft craftsman work for me - I never even got into the fancy new vinyl tapes...

 

[Peter LeQuire]

My Fat Max died - I sure miss him. Bought a cheap Bosch, which is smaller than Max but more awkward to use. I still carry a 100" tape (steel). The laser measuring device is as handy as a pocket on a night shirt, for things like open foyers, ceiling height ("18' vaulted ceiling" somehow sounds more professional than "high ceiling"), etc. and is much more efficient (as well as thoughtful) for areas that can't be measured from their perimeters than dragging a steel tape over someone's furniture.

 

[Digger88]

My wheel broke so I have to get a new measuring device. What is recommended?

Thanks!

youve already answered your own question. you, like i use a wheel because it is fast, accurate and most efficient. if you havent tried it find the wheel that breaks down in 2 sections. its much more sturdy than the collapsible stick. its a stacked foot gauge on top of a single small wheel so it wont get hung up in taller grass. for some reason i cant even find it anymore but the model # is psmw18n by lufkin.

edit: found it

http://www.lowes.com/pd_57195-273-PSMW18N_0__?productId=4005471

 

[TRESinc]

youve already answered your own question. you, like i use a wheel because it is fast, accurate and most efficient.

those only apply until you are proficient with a disto (or similar device).

 

[DWiley]

those only apply until you are proficient with a disto (or similar device).

I agree. Once one gets proficient with laser measuring that is by far the most efficient method. I kept a tape as an emergency backup, but as long as the laser was working I would not consider any other way to measure. There are some excellent videos on youtube that show some great methods for measuring what one might think cannot be measured via laser.