Anyone using a distance measuring laser???

[waynelang2001]

Hi Guys,

Its been a while since I've posted any new topics so I thought i might start the ball rolling again by asking this. Has any one got any experience with a distance laser measuring tool ?? I have been look at a few on Youtube and they seem like they would work really well in relation to getting measurements of rooms and kitchens. What I'm really wanting to know is how accurate are they really. Some companies claim there version is accurate to within a 1mm. I just don't want to spend the cash on one and have it out by 5mm or more, +- 1mm would be just fine by me though.

 

[Chuck Kiser]

I have an older Hilti PD30. 6 or 7 years old I think. When new it cost about $350.00. It is accurate to 1/16th without fail. Any of the new models are much less expensive and just as accurate. Many have additional features and advanced math functions. That is what drives the price. Just determine what you will use it for and purchase the model that has those features and nothing more. I've good things about the new Bosch units and the price seems reasonable.

http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=bosch+laser+measuring+device&um=1&ie=UTF-8&cid=12529651988968800122&ei=XygGTazYJY6RnwfWhajlDQ&sa=X&oi=product_catalog_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CCMQ8wIwAA#

 

[waynelang2001]

I have an older Hilti PD30. 6 or 7 years old I think. When new it cost about $350.00. It is accurate to 1/16th without fail. Any of the new models are much less expensive and just as accurate. Many have additional features and advanced math functions. That is what drives the price. Just determine what you will use it for and purchase the model that has those features and nothing more. I've good things about the new Bosch units and the price seems reasonable.

http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=bosch+laser+measuring+device&um=1&ie=UTF-8&cid=12529651988968800122&ei=XygGTazYJY6RnwfWhajlDQ&sa=X&oi=product_catalog_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CCMQ8wIwAA#

Hi Chuck,

Bosch is the brand i was looking at today. The DLE 40 i think would be just about right for me. I'm yet to work in a room thats more then 40 meters so i think i would be safe with that model. I just don't like having to ask the customer to help me hold the tape measure here and then so a laser would solve that problem.

 

[tbellemare]

The Stabila LD300 is good for 100' and accurate to about 2mm over that length.

Their LD 400 is good for 200' and accurate to about 1.5mm over that range. It also has more calculation capabilities and has a function that is quite useful, continuous measuring. That allows you to find the distance of farthest or closest point you scan across. It's particularly useful for measuring square or peaks.

Then they have the LD 500. It's good for 650' and accurate to about 1mm over that distance. It measures so far away that it has a camera with a 4x zoom so you can see what you are trying to spot.

Tom

 

[mwhafner]

I have not been impressed with the Bosch laser measures, but haven't used the latest versions.  The previous versions were chunky, not as accurate as some of the better models, and lacking in features.

I would look at the Hilti, Stabila, and Leica offerings.  I have had a Leica D3 for a few years now, and it has been excellent.  Extremely accurate and can be found for less than $300.  

 

[tDot]

I'll second the Leica, I have one of their newest offerings and it has been excellent. It has quite a few features that I didn't think I'd use, but now that I have it they get used regularly.

I installed a 32' steel beam awhile ago, it was a retrofit, installed between two existing gables. I used the Leica to measure and I was confident enough that I didn't even double check with a tape, it was bang on. I also used it on trim packages and I'm trying it out on the kitchen I'm currently building.

I tried the Bosch, didn't like it. Hilti was great but for me it was more then twice the price.

 

[WarnerConstCo.]

I use the 100.00 bosch one for doing crown by myself.

Has not failed me yet.

 

[tbellemare]

Here's an overview of typical functions for laser distance measures. A lot of the time, people don't know how they'll use the functions as described in the literature. I find this set of descriptions helpful in conveying the utility of the various bells and whistles.

Tom

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[waynelang2001]

The Stabila LD300 is good for 100' and accurate to about 2mm over that length.

Their LD 400 is good for 200' and accurate to about 1.5mm over that range. It also has more calculation capabilities and has a function that is quite useful, continuous measuring. That allows you to find the distance of farthest or closest point you scan across. It's particularly useful for measuring square or peaks.

Then they have the LD 500. It's good for 650' and accurate to about 1mm over that distance. It measures so far away that it has a camera with a 4x zoom so you can see what you are trying to spot.

Tom

Ive read good things about the Stabila but I'm having trouble finding them anywhere in city. When it comes to the Leica range, no tool dealers that I have spoken to have even heard of it.

 

[tDot]

My tool supplier had to bring it my Leica D330. He also brought in one of Leica's laser w/ square and plumb points and lines and now he can't keep them on the shelf other contractors are so happy with them.

 

[d8b]

I have the Bosch DLE70. Accuracy is not important to me. I use it to measure large rooms/venues to calculate concert sound systems (line arrays). A few m more ore less won't affect the result.
The Bosch has water proof buttons. The "measure" button is soms difficult to press. You often have to press it a few times before it reacts. It is really hard to hold the laser steady when pressing the button. This is really anoing when you try to measure a steel roof beam 30m high.
My boss has the DLE 40 no problem with this one.

greetz,

Philippe

 

[Alan m]

i was thinking of geting the leica D2 any thoughts

 

[rookie08]

+1 on the newer Bosch units.  I've had mine for over a year and works great.  Just need to make sure your tape measure is calibrated to it for cabinet work etc.  Saves a TON of time.  Having said that, the Stabila has more options but the cost reflects that.

Cheers

 

[Mettes]

I have a Leica A3, couple of years old.  I use it both to make measurements for design and cost calculations as well as during construction.  For instance installing steel studs for drywall, floor joists etc.  It's accurate to 1mm, it can do calculations for you going from mm to cm to inch to feet or reverse fractional or not after you made the measurement. 
Battery lasts a long time, it's the most basic Leica put it does everything a woodworker/contractor needs.  The more complicated models are, I think, more suitable for advanced building, read beyond residential.  They are also quiet a bit bigger which, if you use it like me, during construction a big drawback.
I keep it in a pouch of my work vest all the time. If I need it on a job site and forgot it accidentally i find myself cursing a lot...

Wouldn't want to miss it anymore...

One thing to remember: it measures distances between stuff that is already been placed, forget about using it for layout, it's not fit for that.

One more thing, make sure you get a laser measurer, there used to be devices that worked using ultrasound, those where a lot cheaper then, haven't seen much of them lately, and with good reason, they could be used to measure a room for estimating quantities, but there it stopped, not accurate enough.

Cheers

 

[jacqplafond]

I've been using the (somewhat older) Bosch DLE50. In my experience, accuracy is fair, i've never known it to be more than 2 to 3 mm off over distances of >5m. Fairly indestructible too.

Of course, if you're measuring to make a final cut this may not be accurate enough for you. Some other brands models may be more accurate but keep in mind that it is sometimes difficult to eliminate other errors (not plumb/level/square to the surface you're measuring etc.)

 

[Kristian]

I have the Leica D3 and have been extremely satisfied with it. It's said to have an accuracy of +/- 1 mm at the total range of 100 meters and I more and more believe that to be true. Normally though I use it for measures below 10 meters and it's always spot on. When I received it I placed it at the end of a 2 meter folding measure and the display read '2000 mm'. I have never used a measuring tape so with this kind of accuracy it has completely replaced my folding measure for any measures above 2-3 meters.

I never thought I would go digital since I like using traditional measuring tools but now I wouldn't want to part with the D3. Especially for measuring something above head hight.

@Alan m: A mate of mine has the D2 and he is equally pleased with it so I would find it highly recommendable.

- Kristian

 

[waynelang2001]

I think i have found a company that might have the leica range. They sell contractors equipment like laser levels survey tools. So if i can get the Leica laser at a good price i think that's what i would do.

 

[Michael_MA]

I an only tell the best about Leica's laser units, i've got the D5 for about two years now and i'm completly satified and happy with it.. it's like driving an S-Class Mercedes..
cause it contains loads of helpfull math and config options and has a very nice 4x magnifying Video camera, which allows to use it in bright sunlight as well.. 
it claims to be accurate within 1,5 mm up to 200m, which i never used, but i can tell it is dead on (below 1mm)  up to 50-70m.

Just as a side note..  most of the commercial available professional units (BOSCH DLE 150, HILTI, STABILA) are Leica OEM units or use Leica patents
kind regards, Mike

 

[peter halle]

Wayne,

I use the Stabila LE-50.  It is a couple of years old and accurate enough for me.  I find that in my situation I don't use all the extra functions.

Peter

 

[harry_]

I use the 100.00 bosch one for doing crown by myself.

Has not failed me yet.

Darcy,
Is it really accurate enough for final cuts on crown? Or do you use it for 'blank' cutting then fit for a final cut?

For all,
Are these units _predictably_ inaccurate? Meaning, if it is accurate +- a mm or a 1/16, if it reads long by a will it _always_ read long so as to be able to "mentally compensate"?