Amazon, Home Depot, and Lowe’s all have the Bosch GLM100 laser distance measuring tool on sale ahead of Black Friday, as part of their holiday season tool deals.
This is a compact laser distance measuring tool with 100ft range and ±1/16″ accuracy, and it’s discounted to $40, its typical seasonal “special buy” price.
Bosch has been my go-to for laser distance measuring tools.
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I bought a GLM100-23 around 2 years ago, and highly recommend it.
This is a compact and slim-featured model that handles 99% of my laser distance measuring tasks. It has been effortless and reliable to use.
I see the simplicity as a huge benefit – this is a laser distance measuring tool anyone can use – and you can always upgrade to more featured models if you need built-in calculations.
It’s powered by 2x AAA batteries, which are included.
Deal Price: $40
I’ve seen retailers selling this for $50 to $60 in between holiday shopping seasons.
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For comparison, Dewalt’s Atomic series laser distance measuring tool (DW055PL via HD) is also $40 but has a range of just 55ft and accuracy of ±1/4″ at 32ft. Dewalt’s next-best laser distance measurer (DWHT77100 via HD) has a 100ft range, accuracy of 1/8″ at 32ft, and is priced at $90, which is more than double the price.
If you need longer measuring range or more features, such as built-in calculations, check out the GLM165-22. There’s also a green laser version, GLM165-25G.
Josephus
Got one a few years back and it was great for the intended purpose.
Now my stray cats think it’s the best thing since canned tuna.
Peter
Good one, never thought about that.
Off I go to have a blast with 3 cats!
Saulac
Is there many laser measuring tool intended to replace the tape measure, vs to be the typical “distance” measuring tool? What would it take for the laser to take over the tape? I understand in many cases, there is nothing to point the laser to. So probably a mall “target” that somehow can be easily attached to various surfaces? The target when not use attached to the tool.
Bonnie
I don’t think these will ever completely replace tape measures. But they are super handy for quickly measuring to walls or triangulating/squaring layouts.
For anything other than a wall you really want two people, just like when using a long tape.
I used the blaze and Bosch’s gimbal crosshair laser to lay out a pier foundation recently. Absolutely fantastic.
NoahG
I use them extensively when doing site surveys to get room dimensions. They are invaluable for finding ceiling height.
fred
I bought a Leica Disto D810 in 2016. After overcoming some skepticism and a bit of a learning curve – I find it invaluable as an aid in landscaping projects. I’m able to use its picture-taking to dimension a wall or planting bed. I can aim over foundation plantings, and it will calculate the distance along the ground to a structure. I still use a tape measure and/or carpenter’s ruler in making furniture and doing case work – but the Disto can do way more and much faster.
Stuart
While there’s some overlap, they’re different tools for measuring different types of things. Generally speaking, I would say that tape measures are better suited for measuring objects, and lasers are better suited for measuring between two points in space.
S
There’s an old adage about “levels of precision” in any field and project. Different tools are used for those different levels of precision for a reason.
When aligning parts on a HO scale train set, 1/16″ is incredibly far apart.
When building a wall with 45 studs, one stud being 1/8″ shorter is inconsequential.
And then in machining, they use dial indicators accurate to increments of far beyond the 1/16″ most any other trades find acceptable.
In my experience, laser is far too accurate and inaccurate for many opposing use cases. I don’t need to know that a 16′ wall is 15′ 10-53/64″. I’m still rounding that to 16′ for material calculations or fixture layout.
And similarly, most laser distance modules are at least 4-5″ long. There’s a lot of objects that require measurement that fall underneath those dimensions. So now I need to stack the object that I need to measure what on other known-measure items(put the object at the end of a standard sheet of 8.5×11″ paper, etc), and then adding and subtracting those measurements.
But in adding other objects to measure off of, I’m also reducing the precision at which I’m measuring at, and could easily find myself a full 1/8-1/4″ off the true objects measurement, which, on an object only 3″ long, could represent a significant problem.
fred
I learned long ago that when you can replicate rather than attempting repeated measuring – you are more likely to succeed,
If I’m making a batch of drawers and want them all the same – I’ll measure to cut the first side, first front (and back if different) then set up my table saw to make repetitive cuts. My eyes are too old to read a tape for checking for square – but I have jigs that allow me to check diagonals without measuring. I used to just use a pair of sticks clamored together with Acco binder clamps (from the Office supply store) – but 13 years ago I switched to these:
https://www.veritastools.ca/en-ca/shop/tools/hand-tools/marking-and-measuring/32585-veritas-bar-gauge-heads
For setting cabinets – I’m a fan of using a story stick – and then check the final positions with a laser line.
In furniture making, I’ve learned that it is often better to cut under or over size then trim to a final fit. Shaving a small trim molding on a Lion Trimmer or with a plane and shooting board gets you a much tighter fit than measuring and expecting that your miter saw will do the rest.
EBT
I need to read up on my version of the Bosch laser finder (that I got from one of your deals!).
Every time, when I can find it, I turn it on, and the setting wants to do a sqft cal. I just want to point, get measurement. Embarassed when showing to a contractor and it wasn’t doing the live measurement and I was fumbling with it. Atleast its more legible than the previous version I had.
“Hey Siri, read the room!” – I’m sorry but let me look that up on the web…
Stuart
That’s what’s great about this one and others like it – it’s really hard to get lost in calculation menus where there’s just one button to start or stop live measurements, and at most one more for unit changes.
Alex Peel
The Bosch GLM400C is also at a relative low.
Stuart
https://www.amazon.com/GLM400C-Outdoor-Bluetooth-Connected-Batteries/dp/B07L8LWXZB/?tag=toolguyd-20
I’m not familiar with that model, but it does look to be discounted right now.
Mark
How does this compare to the klien one
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Klein-Tools-Compact-Laser-Distance-Measure/5014351279
Stuart
The Bosch has better accuracy specs, and I believe a larger display. I’d go with the Bosch based on reputation and personal experiences alone. I guess the Klein looks good if you need a pocket clip.