Table of Content
Either material is often covered at least partly with a rubberized coating to add extra grip and to help the tool withstand drops without cracking. The Stanley FatMax is especially durable and constructed to stand up to rigorous use on jobsites. We purchased and tested 34 tape measures from a wide range of top brands. Whenever possible, we included both the 16-foot and 25-foot models of the same tape measure and tested them together at our testing lab in Des Moines, Iowa. Our team of testers put the tape measures through their paces, scoring the tools on several aspects of performance. Our top-scoring tape measure in our tests is the Irwin Strait-Line.
There is an in-built inclinometer with advances features to measure min/max, angles, double indirect, and stakeout. This compact black and orange colored ergonomically designed device fits in your hand perfectly and makes it convenient to handle. Its versatile functions with 2-bubble levels offer high accuracy of ±1/16 inch and a measuring range of 196Ft.
Battery Power
Once locked, the tape didn’t budge as we bounced it on its own weight. Again, the most important characteristic of a superior tape measure is the durability of the blade. The Stanley blade is coated with a Mylar polyester film, which our testing proved to be superior to most of the other tapes. Remember, this is the key point in the durability and longevity of a tape measure.
The Tajimas and FastCaps got high marks for their compact size, but they each have their own flaws that we’ll get to in a bit. When it comes to choosing a tape measure, don’t automatically assume that the longer, the better. The most common length for a cased tape measure is 25 feet, which is long enough to measure the average room’s walls or floors, yet not so long that it’s unwieldy or overly heavy. And of course, there are also much longer tape measures that come in handy when measuring floors or walls in large rooms or outdoor areas. Other than 25 feet, the most common sizes are 12, 16, 30, and 35 feet.
The Best Tape Measures Tested in 2022
DeBoer had a similar experience with the DeWalt 16-foot version, but he didn’t test the Big J. The most successful feature of the FastCaps is the erasable writing surface that sits on the side of the tape. It’s nice to have the option to jot down some measurements, particularly for the carpenter.
It’s not uncommon for a room in a house to have a wall longer than 16 feet, and you might need to measure the square footage for painting or size up a potential hall runner. In short, it’s better to have the length and not need it than to need it and not have it. For a Popular Mechanics article, I threw tape measures off a garage roof onto an asphalt driveway to test for durability. We thoroughly analyzed every laser measure tape we review and only recommend those tested to be the best possible options within their respective fields.
Compare Products
The magnetic zero hook slides to compensate for both wall-to-wall and material-length measurements. An auto-off function extends the battery life of the two AAAs that are supplied, and there’s a useful belt clip. One other advantage of using some of the laser tape measures available is the ability to measure the area and indirect measurement of a room or space. This is particularly useful when working on construction projects where height and/or the total volume of a space needs to be measured. Options for the best digital tape measure will vary greatly within each product’s accuracy and features. Before selecting a digital tape measure for your needs, consider the intended use for your measure, its measurement types, its accuracy, and its ease of use.
However, some models that are not backlit can be difficult to read in darker settings. While searching for the best digital tape measures available, the most popular options among users had ranges of 16 to 400 feet and were accurate to 1/8 or 1/16 of an inch. Many of these picks were easy to read with large LCD, digital, or backlit displays and were either rechargeable or battery-powered to last throughout a project. Plus, some of these picks can measure length, area, and indirect measurement. Accuracy - When looking to purchase a laser measuring tool, you need to look out for the accuracy the device guarantees. Misreading measurement results is common when using a traditional tape measure, but make no mistake, some laser measurement tools are not as accurate as others.
The blade itself is white on one side and yellow on the other, which gives you options when using the tape measure in a spot with dim light that makes it a little harder to read the measurements. The blade is double-coated nylon for durability but is somewhat flatter than many other tape measures, which reduced standout in our tests to around 9 feet. If your occupation requires you to use a laser measuring tool, you should check out the Bosch GLM as it is the best for professional use.
Better versions were found on the Starrett and Tajimas, but those tapes had other issues covered below. The Komelon, Lufkin, and Snap-on extend their ample rubber over-mold up to the nose of the tool so that it directly acts as a bumper. The PowerLock has a blade stand-out of 7 feet, 10 inches, which is on the upper side of the limit indicated by Clement and DeBoer. Every tape has a slightly different tang, and both Clement and DeBoer warned against large ones.
In order to have a detailed review of the product, check out this video. It automatically shuts down when not in operation and produces a beep sound to improve its functionality. The device is ideal for measurement jobs at home, in construction sites and industries, factories, warehouses, etc. To get a clear picture of how to use this laser measure, you can check out this video. The Bluetooth functionality can conveniently transfer and store the measurements to a smart device through the Bosch app.
Every time you need to measure a distance, it's a hassle - everything takes too long, you lose track of time, and having to rely on the wrong lens or an expensive piece of equipment. That's when things start to get ugly, especially if your target audience sees it as a waste of time. Whether you're an engineer, plumber, or contractor, there's a good chance that you're using a laser level at least once a day. It's an indispensable tool used to plot difficult angles—programming errors can make your project unbalanced and dangerous. However, experience is required to evaluate its effectiveness accurately, and we must do it for you. Understandably, some buyers are concerned that digital measuring instruments might be fragile.
This is handy when building, assembling, or installing materials that come with metric instructions. In addition to the other accuracy features mentioned above, a few more considerations may apply. Cased tape measures are often equipped with a belt clip—a steel or nylon pincer that attaches to a tool belt or pocket.
No comments:
Post a Comment