Laser Tape Measure, Worth Having?

Michaeljp86

I seen a add for a laser tape measure that was supposed to be accurate to 1/16". Ive seen these a few years ago and they were pretty expensive and accurate within 3". I know this came up before on here about these but I was wondering since then if anyone has one and what they think of it.

I need to figure up a price for paint and siding on a barn and was looking up about 25' and thinking I could really use one of those right now.

I thought I would see what you guys think before I buy some $200 POS.

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J F

There was a pretty in depth discussion on jlc not too long ago:

http://forums.jlconline.com/forums/s...ght=laser+tape

I've got the bosch and one of the stabilas (can't remember which model...haven't used them a lot yet).

I think they're both within 1/16" over 100'. As little as I've used them they are pretty neat...money well spent so far.

J

nap

do you need 1/16" accuracy? I would think for estimating purposes you would need nothing even close to that. There are other ways to determine the heighth.

J F

It's not only how accurate it is...it's how quick it is to get the measurement.

J

KillerToiletSpider

After the last discussion we had here about these, I stopped in at the Hilti store near me to see firsthand how accurate the new ones are, because I looked into them a few years ago and they weren't all that accurate. The new ones are pretty damn dead on, I was astounded at how accurate they were.

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J F

It will be the wave of the future (or the present)...I promise you.

J F

Of course you can hold out 'til next year...they have the retina implant coming out....

J

KillerToiletSpider

I'll never own one. I don't even use a tape measure, I do everything with a folding rule.

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J F

Just don't look at the wife's behind and spit out the measurement...

J F

Oh, they'll have the folding version as well....but the measuring will be in nanometers, or whatever that shiite is...

J

Ed the Roofer

I have done some recent measuring, just by taking multiple digital photos and looking at them on my 22" LCD and counting the shingles. I am trying to figure out a good way to keep a beat up body still functional, without having to continually climb on all of those 12/12's.

I would imagine you could do the same for the height of the sifing, if you just measure the exposure and shoot the picture and enlarge it on your screen.

Ed

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OCRS

Wasn't there a tread here before about software, pretty accurate if I remember, that takes dimensions from the photo?

WarriorWithWood

You mean this program?

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OCRS

Yep. Thanks

Michaeljp86

No I dont really need something that accutate for estimating but at the time I didnt think it was worth the money for something that could be 3" off. 3" isnt much but measuring something larger 3" could add up to a few hundred bucks.

Thats what popped into my mind looking at the barn. Measuring the barn isnt a problem but it would cut down alot of time.

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I am just a vessel from which genius flows -Homer Simpson

Global warming is a myth, like evolution and the metric system.

Ed the Roofer

Yeah, I picked up that iPhotomeasure software and just have not had enough time to put it through its paces except for the run down I had with a tech who made it seem pretty darned easy.

I can right now, if I get good enoughh photos, just measure from my computer screen.

Ed

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MVH

I've got the Bosch and think it is money well spent. We've been doing foreclosure rehabs and I can get a floorplan for estimating in minutes with no one holding the dumb end of the tape.

Mike

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Michaeljp86

How much did you guys spend on yours?

__________________
I am just a vessel from which genius flows -Homer Simpson

Global warming is a myth, like evolution and the metric system.

TempestV

I remember a review of these things a while back, and their claim was that they tried to check accuracy, but the machines were more precise than the conventional means of measuring because of the tape not being tight enough, ect.

Ed the Roofer

How well does it work on exterior measurements, like roofs?

Ed

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