Laser rangefinder / estimator - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

wacko · 06-11-2009, 05:21 PM

i'm thinking of buying a laser rangefinder. thinking this one

http://www.boschtools.com/Products/M...px?pid=DLR165K

is a stabilla or a hilti better than a bosch. which is better, ultrasonic or laser. the other question i have is the term estimator. bosch dosen't call thiers a estimator but i'm wondering how acurate they are.

Inner10 · 06-11-2009, 05:41 PM

Never used it, but I have the PD40 and its awesome. To be honest I should have just gotten the PD4 since I don't need the extra options, distance or accuracy; although if I did I would have splurged for the PD42 with the scope.

The bosch is a very attractive price, hilti claims theirs is far more accurate at something like 1/25 +/- over 650 feet. I've found mine to be stupid accurate; I rarely use the onboard calculator so I can't comment on that feature.

Quiglag · 06-12-2009, 07:52 PM

I have a review on the DLR165K here you can check out if you want.

Laser is more accurate and that is why it is not called an estimator, it is almost exact.

I use the DLR165K to measure walls for cutting baseboard and crown and it is more accurate than a tape measure is over long runs. The DLR165K is a good unit for the price, and well worth it. One thing bad about the DLR165K is it doesn't measure in running inches, only foot-inches. If you need inches only, check out the Bosch DLR130. It has a few less features then the 165, but it has running inches.

naptown CR · 06-12-2009, 08:49 PM

I have been looking at these also. Stopped into a homies the other day and saw a display for a Ryobi that claimed accuracy within 1/16 in 197 feet. they didn't have pricing or a unit to play with so I don't know any more about it. I have owned Ryobi tools in the past and haven't been dissapointed considering the price point. Waiting to see what this one is like maybe take it for a test spin on a crown moulding job see how it stacks up against at tape. If accuracy claims are true should be good for at least three walls of a square room. we'll see

cadanywhere · 11-13-2009, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wacko

i'm thinking of buying a laser rangefinder. thinking this one

http://www.boschtools.com/Products/M...px?pid=DLR165K

is a stabilla or a hilti better than a bosch. which is better, ultrasonic or laser. the other question i have is the term estimator. bosch dosen't call thiers a estimator but i'm wondering how acurate they are.

Laser Measures v's Ultra Sonic Measures no competition, lasers win every time.

We use and sell all types and styles of laser measures, but the best by far are Hilti. We use the Hilti PD38 with built in Bluetooth and it transmits the dimensions straight into our drawing programmes like Sitemaster Building, no writing dimensions down, therefore NO errors or mistakes when surveying.

WilsonRMDL · 11-14-2009, 12:04 AM

I'm not sure of the model number but I have the Bosch laser distance finder I got at HD for like $99, works great for doing estimates. I've used it to measure long spans for ceiling grid and it has been dead nuts accurate. I can't see spending hundreds on something that is 1/16th more accurate over 650ft when I do residential work, but everyone has their different needs for a tool

Chevyman305 · 11-14-2009, 12:26 AM

I personally use the stabilla and i Absolutely love it. It is the most accurate one i have used. I use mine to layout floor plans for building and also construction work. Also fluke makes a laser also. never tried that one. But if you want a really good laser measuring tool get the leica. They have many different models to suite your needs.

dlcj · 01-07-2010, 12:22 AM

I am also thinking of buying the bosch 165 laser mearsuring device. Ive done alot of research lately on several different brands, but I have a few questions that have not been answered so i'll run it by you guys. What I will mainly use it for right now is to measure the exterior dimensions of existing homes to get a basic idea of the sqft.Does not have to be exact. What I would like to do is stand in front of a wall, point at each end and get the measurement. I know the $500 leica (youtube video) will do that but will the bosch? I also would like to measure the height of walls and gables from out in the yard. If I have to walk the walls setting and moving reflector plates then I just as well keep using my $30 measuring wheel! The Leica disto d2 may do what I want but they say its specially made for indoor use so it may not, and at $230 its just above my spending limit for a tool I dont really need anyway. The bosch 165 retails for $165-195 but amazon has it right now for $80 new. The newer 130 model is $110. It measures in inchs but has less other features. Another thing I would like to do with a laser measure is to measure elavation changes in landscapes, hillsides, or the hight of trees and such. Again leica has some videos on youtube showing their expensive models doing all that but to much money for me. The bosch 165 and the D2 claim to have indirect measuring. Is that what I need for what Im trying to do? on the walls anyway.

world llc · 01-07-2010, 12:31 AM

hilti all the way!!

Bergstrom · 01-07-2010, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dlcj

I am also thinking of buying the bosch 165 laser mearsuring device. Ive done alot of research lately on several different brands, but I have a few questions that have not been answered so i'll run it by you guys. What I will mainly use it for right now is to measure the exterior dimensions of existing homes to get a basic idea of the sqft.Does not have to be exact. What I would like to do is stand in front of a wall, point at each end and get the measurement. I know the $500 leica (youtube video) will do that but will the bosch? I also would like to measure the height of walls and gables from out in the yard. If I have to walk the walls setting and moving reflector plates then I just as well keep using my $30 measuring wheel! The Leica disto d2 may do what I want but they say its specially made for indoor use so it may not, and at $230 its just above my spending limit for a tool I dont really need anyway. The bosch 165 retails for $165-195 but amazon has it right now for $80 new. The newer 130 model is $110. It measures in inchs but has less other features. Another thing I would like to do with a laser measure is to measure elavation changes in landscapes, hillsides, or the hight of trees and such. Again leica has some videos on youtube showing their expensive models doing all that but to much money for me. The bosch 165 and the D2 claim to have indirect measuring. Is that what I need for what Im trying to do? on the walls anyway.

I don't think the Bosch is what your after, it is more for interior use. You could measure gable heights with by bouncing it off of the soffit but that's about it. It needs a reflective surface to compute the distance, I think they all do.

The indirect feature on the Bosch is for measuring distances around an obstruction such as a column. It wouldn't work for elevation measuring.

dlcj · 01-07-2010, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bergstrom

I don't think the Bosch is what your after, it is more for interior use. You could measure gable heights with by bouncing it off of the soffit but that's about it. It needs a reflective surface to compute the distance, I think they all do.

The indirect feature on the Bosch is for measuring distances around an obstruction such as a column. It wouldn't work for elevation measuring.

Kinda what I thought. I really like these two but at $500+ ,not affordable. Dont suppose anything cheaper than $200 can do what these do?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D8baHqihsxA
http://www.distagage.com/distoa8.htm...FQdiswodpU_IKQ
I may just get the $200 bosch for $80 cuz its a deal and just use it for what it does, still a time saver even if not really what I want (not need) one for. By the way. How exactly do you use the indirect feature on the bosch and disto d2?

kayn_os · 01-14-2010, 11:01 PM

I have the Hilti and love it. I use a lot of the features too. The one I have (not sure the model, it's in the trailer) can do perimeter(sp?), volume, add and subtract lenghts and is super accurate as far as what I need it for. I don't use it for building cabinets so I think it is an awesome tool for estimates.