Anyone using a distance measuring laser???

[Michael_MA]

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great sketches JMB, but i have to admit, the technology of the devices is more advanced, than we may expect..

It's true - Example 2+3 will cause GIGO for all Devices below the leica D8, which only has a problem with Example 2 - the curved wall.
All others will create perfect results, as the D8 contains an 360 degree tillt sensor, thus not requiring right angle reference measurements.
The D5 provides reliable results for Example 1 and 4, as the built in +/- 45 degree tilt sensor provides reference for the measured angle. up and down to level.

But to be honest,  if you have a wall like Example 2 (curved) , you simply would not use any straight measurement method.. cause either line or laser will cause lase results..
So a  ladder and a tape measure with some artistic would be required there

kind regards, Mike

 

[waynelang2001]

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I can see your argument here JMB, but what other measuring tool could overcome those examples anyway ??? the point here is that a laser measure is still faster and easier then a tape measure over a long distance.

 

[joraft]

There are loads of other features built in the newer devices, which one may not imagine or consider useless unless shown and understood..
Here is Demo video of the leica D8 - called "The flagship"
The New Leica Disto D8 - The Flagship !

It may be considered  as an example of what professional handheld devices are capable of today.

I've had a D8 for almost a year. It is an amazingly accurate device.

I highly recommend it.

 

[MacMitch]

Interesting price comparison Michael. Weird that the site I was at sells the D3 for $100 more at $379.

I may need to take into consideration that one of my 6-7 German Shepherds may consider the device a toy and make off with it, dropping it in almost anything wet or nasty when I yell Auss! tough call.

 

[extiger]

Gary Katz had high praise for the Leica in his lecture tour (Gary Katz Road Trip) in which he demonstrates finish carpentry technique. He uses Festool equipment and talks about features, set up and adjustments.

He demonstrated the difficulty of installing Crown Molding by going up and down ladders in several corners of the room to take measurements with a tape. And he recorded on paper the measurements of several attempts. The numbers differed.  Then he pulled out a Leica range meter. One trip up a ladder on one side was enough. On several readings, the numbers came out the same.

He mentioned Stabila, said he preferred the Leica, but didn't say why.

Gary Curtis

 

[jimmy7]

I've got a hilti one.Don't use it much when when I do it comes on really handy

 

[Mdjagg]

Just because no one as mentioned it if figured it was worth posting that Fluke's new models are quite feature rich. I just ordered the Fluke 419D, should be here in a few days so ill post back in a few weeks or as soon as I can tell about the results. I've got a cabinet job coming up so this should be the best real world application for most installers in regard to accuracy. 

 

[NERemodeling]

I just skimmed this topic quick so i hope this link hasn't already been posted but HERE is a great review done by "tools of the trade" magazine. 

laser distance measuring tools are great and i wouldn't be without mine, I've had mine for probably around 3-4 years, its the ~$100 Bosch model that predated the GLM 50  It has never failed me.  great for things like crown, base, inside measurements.  another great use for it is on the initial measuring/estimating meeting for a new job,  customers seem to love it, its way faster and i don't have to drag a tape all over their house/floors.

John

 

[JLB builders LLC]

I just skimmed this topic quick so i hope this link hasn't already been posted but HERE is a great review done by "tools of the trade" magazine. 

laser distance measuring tools are great and i wouldn't be without mine, I've had mine for probably around 3-4 years, its the ~$100 Bosch model that predated the GLM 50  It has never failed me.   great for things like crown, base, inside measurements.   another great use for it is on the initial measuring/estimating meeting for a new job,  customers seem to love it, its way faster and i don't have to drag a tape all over their house/floors.

John

Same here. No more shaking my head and asking the home owner to hold the smart end of the tape  [big grin]

 

[putter288]

There are loads of other features built in the newer devices, which one may not imagine or consider useless unless shown and understood..

It may be considered  as an example of what professional handheld devices are capable of today.

I've had a D8 for almost a year. It is an amazingly accurate device.

I highly recommend it.

I also have a D8 and have had it for 3yrs... no complaints  
I do drop ceilings in residential and commercial sites.

i had a job where the new area had to match the existing ceiling   the center area of the three was the last to be renovated    and the walls had to remain till near the end.

with the D8 i was able to shoot through a couple small holes and start the ceiling border on the far wall (65 ft)
i was within 1/8 inch when all said and done .

the ability to set the scale at inchs to the 32nd  or feet and inches to 32nd  ( mm)  is great as when i do trim i work in inches when i do ceilings its feet and inches.

the 4x video screen is nice for pointing out areas to other trades  or just showing off the feature to someone

I am planing on adding a blue tooth tablet to take advantage of the lay out feature.
I would not part with mine ..love it

 

[NERemodeling]

Ill start with my real reason for this post, does anyone have a paid subscription to JLC online that they would be willing to share somehow? I am only interested in reading This article about the Stabila LD420 which is for paid subscriptions only    maybe you could PM or email a link to the PDF or copy and paste the article into a PM or email?  if you need my email, send me a PM 

now for the reason im looking for the article

My old Bosch DLR130K just started spitting out crazy measurements so its time for a new one. luckily they were all about 3/8 long and i caught it fast so i didnt scrap any of the lumber i was cutting and i can still use it for measuring during an estimate where im only taking rough measuremens for material lists.

After a lot if research i ended up with the Stabila LD420, It appears to be built exactly the same as the Leica E7400X, in fact i actually suspect that it was built by Leica for Stabila  the only difference i can see is it has less tilt capacity +- 45 instead of 360  other than that they are carbon copy's of each other (even down to the manuals being the same) and it comes in $50 less than the Leica

although most sites say it is accurate to +- 1/16, the more you dig you can find that it is actually +-1.0mm or .04" which is 1/25" 

Ill let you all know how it works for me

John

 

[rst]

Love my Leica Disto!  Bought a D8 on Ebay by watching for months, ended up paying $325 new (is not the new version that has wireless, but I did not need that).  I use it for every thing for storefront measuring to double hung glass and insulating unit sizing.  I also used it when I was coaching soccer to lay out my fields.