The new Bosch GLM 15 laser distance measurement tool is super compact and can measure distances of up to 50 feet with 1/8″ accuracy. It’s very simply designed with just one button.
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Press the red button to activate the distance measurer’s continuous measurement mode, and press the button a second time to hold and display a single measurement. You can hold a measurement while the device continues to take continuous measurements, which allows for quick comparison between two lengths.
The GLM 15 is powered by 2x AAA batteries, which should also give you a good sense of how small it is.
Price: $50
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If you want something a little more fully featured, the Bosch GLM 100C that we reviewed is a nice model with Bluetooth connectivity, 330 ft range, and a slew of built-in calculator and layout functions.
First Thoughts
It is obvious what Bosch was going for with the GLM 15, which is essentially a bare-bones no-frills laser distance measurement tool. It’s a teeny tiny pocketable laser measurement device meant for quick up-to-50-feet distance measurements.
I also don’t think I have ever seen a brand-name laser distance measurement tool at this price point. Most distance measurement tools at $50 or less are built with ultrasonic sensors, which are sometimes less accurate and can more finicky to use at longer distances.
There really aren’t many (any?) brand-name laser-based distance measurement tools for $50. Most that I have seen are around $75+.
This looks like a great choice if you’ve been wanting a quick and simple to use laser distance tool with 50-foot range. There are of course longer ranged and more fully-featured models on the market, but none are anywhere as compact or inexpensive as the GLM 15.
joe says
Aug 7, 2014 at 2:25 pmI have about four measuring tapes plus various rulers metal and plastic…since I have spending money this month, I might give this a try and see if I have been missing out. Thanks.
fred says
Aug 7, 2014 at 3:28 pmThis low-end device may introduce you to what you are missing – but beware that the tool may become addictive – and draw you into a cycle of upgrading. Not that this is all bad – and depending on the type of work that you do – it can result in greatly increased productivity. I was initially skeptical when we bought our first Leica Disto – thinking that a tape, measuring wheel and a sketch pad was all I needed. I quickly gravitated to re-thinking – and the newest devices (I’m guessing Bosch has higher end devices like the latest Disto 810) – have Bluetooth connectivity, work in sunlight etc.
Mike says
Aug 7, 2014 at 4:12 pmIf you only ever measure under 50′ I guess it would be good. For $100 you can get a unit with way more features and atleast a 100′ range. I guess if you are just using it around the house 50′ would be ok. For $50 I might by one for the wife so she stops taking mine!
Fazal Majid says
Aug 7, 2014 at 6:34 pmIt’s rather basic. I have two laser meters, a Leica Disto D2 ($150) and a Disto E7500i. The latter is much more full-featured, with an inclination sensor, point meter and Bluetooth connectivity, but the one I find myself using the most is the lighter and simpler D2. The D2, like the GLM100C, has calculator functions which are invaluable in the field.
Don’t bother with ultrasonic meters, they are completely unreliable junk. Laser meters work by actually measuring the time it takes for a pulse in the laser beam to bounce off the target and return, essentially LIDAR, the laser equivalent of RADAR. To get the 1mm or so accuracy of the better meters like Leica’s, you need a timing accuracy of 3 picoseconds, or 3 millionths of a millionth of a second. That this technology has filtered to a consumer device simply boggles the mind.
Time of Flight (ToF) sensors are becoming more commonplace, and 60×60 pixel versions using infrared LEDs instead of lasers will be coming to your smartphone in the next year or two, to permit gesture-based user interfaces.
Derek says
Aug 15, 2014 at 1:37 amwhen is it’s release date?
Stuart says
Aug 15, 2014 at 10:30 amShould be available soon – ETA is currently said to be September 1st, 2014.
Derek says
Aug 15, 2014 at 8:28 pmk, thanks.
I just pre-ordered it off Amazon! Looking forward to using it, it will be my first laser measur…er.
I’m an electrician, and I think this will work great for pipe runs. Don’t need nothing fancy, and love how small it is.