Laser distance measurer

DB_SamX · 19 Jun 2015 at 22:17

I think I could benefit from one as I do structural surveys every now and again for work, and it could prove handy around the house.

Say budget <£50 and 30m min.

Got 4 saved from Amazon:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Excelvan®-D...ef=sr_1_1?s=diy&ie=UTF8&qid=1434748446&sr=1-1
http://www.amazon.co.uk/ELEPHAS-Por...ef=sr_1_2?s=diy&ie=UTF8&qid=1434748542&sr=1-2
http://www.amazon.co.uk/douself-Est...ef=sr_1_3?s=diy&ie=UTF8&qid=1434748552&sr=1-3
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Andoer-RZE-...ef=sr_1_4?s=diy&ie=UTF8&qid=1434748563&sr=1-4

All unknown brands to me but with that budget, I am not going to get a Bosch or Leica.

Any recommendations?

NickK · 19 Jun 2015 at 22:28

Hmm I have a Stanley TLM 99: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Stanley-TLM...ie=UTF8&qid=1434749454&sr=1-3&keywords=TLM+99 ... mine was about £70.. not over £100!

Works perfectly - has the area/volume stuff that you don't use.. but has both continuous and freeze, can set the count from the front or back of the device (i.e. you put the back against the wall and it can measure from there).

Ahh 30m? in daylight? No, not unless you're in pitch darkness, and I suspect those devices won't either. The TLM will do 6-7m happily in daylight as I measured up the garden and rooms to my house on a summers day before buying the house.. but 30m? no.

I suspect the same issue of laser brightness and the resolution given by the lenses (and any form of heat turbulence) would cause a problem.

edit: thinking about it I don't think it was even £70..

DB_SamX · 19 Jun 2015 at 22:33

I doubt I will use them outside that much, and if I do, I reckon it will be within 10m.

the_r_sole · 19 Jun 2015 at 23:11

we have a leica one in work, but you still end up using the tape to confirm dims! wouldn't bother if it's only an occasional use thing... you will find that most of the functions are pointless, all we ever use is the basic measurement tool

would go for this - gets good reviews and a known name...
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Bosch-PLR-1...ef=sr_1_1?s=diy&ie=UTF8&qid=1434751608&sr=1-1

Minstadave · 19 Jun 2015 at 23:23

the_r_sole said:
we have a leica one in work, but you still end up using the tape to confirm dims! wouldn't bother if it's only an occasional use thing... you will find that most of the functions are pointless, all we ever use is the basic measurement tool

would go for this - gets good reviews and a known name...
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Bosch-PLR-1...ef=sr_1_1?s=diy&ie=UTF8&qid=1434751608&sr=1-1

I got that this week when it was down to £20, nice simple bit of kit.

danza · 20 Jun 2015 at 10:25

We use a Stanley one at work for measuring shop floor dimensions, such as span between columns etc. IIRC, its accuracy/repeatability was +/-100mm or so over about 8m, so pretty pants really, especially if you're trying to measure up for machine fitment with minimal installation/manoeuvre clearances.

Unless distances are 20m+, I'd just stick to a decent tape.

NickK · 20 Jun 2015 at 13:35

Yup, there's physics behind me saying about the maximum distance vs claims.

Dawes Law indicates the resolution based on the size of the lens used - this has direct impact on the sensor pixels and therefore the accuracy at range - plus the amount of light at range too.

The Stanley one works for internals but certainly not at the 30m with any accuracy - from theory and from experience. The same is probably true for the others too except you may find the better ones are larger to cope with the larger lens (and therefore more expensive).