Sonic/Laser Measuring Tools

14 years ago

I am interested in getting a sonic or laser measuring tool. I wanted to ask Santa for one for Christmas. I have been looking at all the different models, and obviously been getting conflicting reviews. I was wondering if anyone on this forum has used one or has one to recommend.

I am looking for something that will allow me to take simple measurements without having to fight with the tape measure. I would be using this inside to measure distances within rooms, and even outside to measure places in the yard. It doesn't have to be highly accurate (maybe 1/4" to 1/2" or so), but it should work. I am also not looking for fancy features like calculating square footage or anything, I can do that myself. I am also looking for something in the range of $50 or less if possible. I just need a good tool that will help me take the measurements.

I searched GW sites for similar discussions but didn't find anything. If there are already answers to my questions and you can point me to the right source, I will be happy to look there.

Thanks for your help,

Tim

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Comments (7)

sierraeast
14 years ago
Here's a few from amazon.com.

Here is a link that might be useful: sonic laser
macv
14 years ago
They always say they are accurate within 1 inch +/- inch over 40 or 50 ft. Does that mean it would be accurate within 1/4 inch +/- over 10 ft.? Is it relatively consistent in it's inaccuracy? I haven't wanted to spend the money to find out.

It seems good for estimating but not for construction.
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brickeyee
14 years ago
"Does that mean it would be accurate within 1/4 inch +/- over 10 ft.?"

Not likely.
The inch is a systematic error, and not likely to be very repeatable.
mikie_gw
14 years ago
I bought a Stanley intellimeter off ebay, new for maybe 5 dollar. Amazing how accurate it is but its really more geared to estimating footage and partial footage, not for butting up against something and getting exact fractionals.

I have no doubt butt it against a wall of one bldg and it will give within a half inch across 25 foot to next bldg. But your not likely to bend down and but it against bottom trim where you might be measuring for more accuracy.. them walls ain't straight and plumb & that sonic boom will be affected by the closeness of the ground. It needs clear free air. example' Furniture in my living room messes it up for accuracy - way off. Its not a pencil beam.
mike_kaiser_gw
14 years ago
It seems that the cheaper ones are best for rough estimates, say for a realtor who needs the size of rooms or salesman that needs to estimate the amount of carpeting required. If you want to replace a tape measure, then you need spend a lot more money. I know there are guys using the high end models to hang crown moulding. From what I've casually read, Bosch is probably the cheapest of high end models. Then Stabila, Hilti, and Leica.

You might want to take a look on Amazon and see what others are saying.
macv
14 years ago
This is what you need. It's $65 and it is accurate to 1/16" and is cheap because it lacks a display for inches with fractions (as American carpenters like) but using feet and inches, decimal feet or metric will save you a hundred bucks. Their lesser model (130K) is $100 with fewer features but has inches with fractions.

Here is a link that might be useful: Bosch DLR165K Laser Distance Measuring Device
chao_fan01_hotmail_com
13 years ago
If you haven't got one yet, i can recomemend you to buy this one, it is $30.79, and postage free.
Here is the link of this Distance Measurement Tape
http://www.sourcingmap.com/ultrasonic-distance-measurement-tape-with-laser-point-p-1450.html