In the past year, have you struggled with a long tape measure, trying to extend it beyond its maximum standout (or reach)?
Have you had difficulty spanning obstructions, such as a toy-cluttered living room floor?
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Did you need to measure a distance that was longer than the compact tape measure you had at-hand?
It might be time you bought your first laser distance measuring tool, and this Bosch GLM 20 is a great deal to consider.
Here’s what I like about the Bosch GLM 20 laser distance measuring tool:
- Usable range (65′)
- AAA batteries
- Decent quality
- Bosch reputation
- Simple user interface
It’s got just one button. There’s no use trying the “but it’s too complicated to use” excuse with this one.
It’s not a super-featured laser distance measuring tool – this one is as basic as they come – but that’s the point of it.
While not the most compact tool of its kind these days, I much prefer AAA-powered tools for something like this, than say a built-in Li-ion or LiPo battery that has to be charged and maintained via USB.
The Bosch GLM 20 is down to $30 again, as part of Amazon’s early Black Friday and Holiday 2020 tool deals, and that’s a very good price.
$30 is the GLM 20’s usual seasonal price, and so you have time to think the deal over – I’m sure you will be able to get it at this price over the next few weeks.
Have you found another sub-$50 laser distance measuring tool that you’d recommend over this one?
And for those of you thinking “but I’ve been using laser distance measuring tools for years!!,” what would you say about this model to anyone who’s looking for their first?
Aaron
Blaze 165′ hit $27 on amazon back in september, so that’s my sub $30 LDM find!
I picked up 10 of the little craftsman single button ones on sale for $12 each on a Lowes clearance a year ago so that each crew could have one and not borrow my good ones… Single button LDMs great little tools when you just need a quick estimating dimension and don’t want to read a manual.
fred
In 2008 I was given a Craftsman (made by Chervon) Accutrac laser measuring tool as a Christmas present. It was OK. It supposedly had a range of 165 feet. Learning to use it was a bit complicated but not daunting – but I soon reverted back to using tapes rather than the laser – because the Craftsman laser didn’t really add much capability or convenience for what I was doing.
Over the intervening years we had some of the guys who liked some of the laser distance instruments that we bought (including Bosch, Johnson, Leica and Stabila) – but some guys – like me who preferred staying with tapes.
Eight years later (2016) I bought a Leica Disto D810 – and it changed my opinions.
It was the added features that added mightily to the price – but also its increased functionality (like being able to do trigonometry) that made it useful for me.
Now that’s not to say – go out and buy a high-end costly instrument as your first one. But rather – maybe buy something like this basic model Bosch – see if it fits the bill for your needs. But if not – don’t immediately swear-off laser distance measuring – and take a look at what extras you get as you move up the line.
Stuart
Back around 2008, or not too long before that, Craftsman was still selling ultrasonic distance measuring tools – I think I still have mine!
James C
I have a slightly more featured Bosch laser but mostly use the basic functionality. Yesterday I measured about 20 windows for custom blinds – super easy and accurate to get the inside measurements with a laser. Also measured a 20′ wide room 8′ up for a custom dividing curtain. No easy way to do that by myself without a laser.
One feature I wish it had was to round to the nearest 8th or 16th inch. 32nds are annoying to deal with mentally and for my purposes I don’t need to be that precise. Setting it to round either up or down would be awesome. I think I’d buy a new laser just for that feature. Anyone know if any models have that?
Aaron
especially when you’re looking at a longer measurement where getting the angle a bit wrong could be 1/8 error the idea of 32nds is just misleading. In science they talk about the implied accuracy of significant digits… If I say something is 4 1/2 feet you figure its probably plus or minus 2″ but if I say 54″ you figure its probably within what, 1/4″? a measurement in 32nds with +-3/32 is misleading.
fred
I can set my D810 to round to various units (metric and fractional inches including 1/4, 1/8., 1/16 and 1/32) I can also set what they call an offset (tolerance) to add a specific fudge factor should I want to do so.
The D810 also can compensate for angled measurements off the horizontal. I use that feature a lot when measuring landscapes to deal with things like foundation plantings.
Jared
Pretty sure this is the model I have. Certainly looks identical. I don’t use it often (just forget about it most times), but it works great when I do. I’m just using it for homeowner-type tasks though, not professionally.
Very simple and intuitive. It makes some tasks significantly faster. E.g. measuring the square footage of a room for new flooring or window openings for blinds. I’ve even used it for quick estimating distances much longer than its range by shooting intermediate points with the laser – say you want to know how much extension cord you’re going to need between the shop and a place where you need a power tool.
Drewmcdan1
In 2016 you recommended the Lowes Kobalt Laer Measure https://toolguyd.com/?s=kobalt+laser about four years ago. Thanks to you, I paid $20 for it. It’s come in handy when I was out looking at new houses. It’s great for rough measurements. Although I find that I have to use a traditional tape measure for furniture measurements. But getting quick measurements to see if a room would work is great with this inexpensive tool. Unfortunately, Lowes doesn’t sell it anymore.
David Zeller
Here’s a quick tip for furniture or outside measurements of an item. If with someone, just have them hold something at the other end – paper, phone, etc. If alone, try carrying a post-it note, tape, or magnet and foldable piece of paper to affix to the other end. So long as your not looking for absolute accuracy, this works well. If your measuring to an arbitrary point on the ground (or anywhere this won’t harm too much), stick a pocket knife in it and aim at the knife. I suppose a nail and something wrapped around it/stuck to it would work along walls, beams, etc., too.
fred
What I can do with things like furniture is to use the “measure by picture” feature on mine. If I can get an image of the 4 corners of item facing it at right angles the Disto810 will give me the dimensions. But to be honest – if I’m visiting a furniture store with my wife I usually leave the laser at home and carry a tape. I do use the picture feature to measure things like out buildings, sheds and trees.
Stephen
I love my Bosch laser measure. It makes long distance measuring a trivial task, especially when a tape measure is too cumbersome or too flimsy. Have used it for:
1. Measuring gutter length for hanging Christmas lights
2. Measuring tall ceilings in foyer
3. Teaching my daughter about distance
4. Measuring square footage of many rooms
5. Measuring actual width of a car (from the outside of the mirrors) to check for garage fit
Koko The Talking Ape
This fellow is on sale at HD for $29.88 right now.
Stuart
Link – with free shipping too!