The Reekon T1M digital tape measure has completely changed how I feel about this entire category of tools.
Reekon Tools has created something wonderfully convenient and useful here. It just works, and it’s both accurate and precise.
I’m not a digital tape measure kind of person, or so I thought. And to be frank, I wasn’t a huge fan of the fully-featured Tomahawk flagship model.
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But the Reekon T1M? There’s plenty of nuances I can nitpick about. But when it comes to flaws, compromises, or downsides, there’s simply nothing to complain about.
These tools are quick to use, and the measurement memory function works great. Oops, you broke the tape? Don’t worry, it’s user-replaceable.
There’s also an app, which I still haven’t downloaded, but I really should in order to fully review the T1M.
Its rechargeable battery is spec’ed to run for up to 150 hours, and the tool is drop-tested to 6 feet.
I’m even a fan of the marking square feature that can be stowed out of the way. It’s a “great to have, but out of the way if you don’t need it” kind of accessory function.
Part of my fondness for the T1M isn’t about the tool, but the tool’s journey. Reekon Tools is an innovator, and their posts over time provide brief but meaningful glimpses into the hard work that goes into their products.
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The controls are a little oversized, but in a good way. I found them comfortable to use.
I don’t really like this category of tools – digital tape measures – but I love this particular tool.
It’s like having digital calipers, but one that can be used out to 16 or 25 feet depending on the model.
I still don’t see myself as a digital tape measure type of person. I move to different work stations and tend to prefer having everything I need everywhere I might need them.
If I moved around to different jobs, I’d have one of these glued to my hip.
Can I give it a glowing recommendation? Absolutely. Reekon Tools is a great brand with great people, and the T1M is a fantastic tool.
But that didn’t seem like enough. It needs to stand out a little more even.
So, I’m naming the Reekon Tools T1M digital tape measure a tool of the year.
I’m not sure I can call it unique, as I started seeing what look to be knock-offs or “inspired” tools launch later.
But Reekon’s approach seems unique, and their attention to customer needs and interests is definitely something special.
The T1M is a special tool – it’s the type that I’ll look back on 10 years from now – oh, I remember the T1M, it was an excellent innovation. There aren’t many like this.
The T1M has a built-in battery and charges via USB-C. If you want a replaceable battery, you might want to look to the T1 Tomahawk instead.
Availability
The T1M is available in 16′ and 25′ sizes. At the time of this posting, both are being discounted as part of different retailers’ Black Friday deals.
Buy the 16′ at Amazon
Buy the 16′ at Acme Tools
Buy the 25′ at Amazon
Buy the 25′ at Acme Tools
Buy the T1 Tomahawk at Home Depot
Visit Reekon Tools
Questions? I still haven’t tested the app, but I’ve got both tape measures on-hand and would be glad to tackle any questions you might have.
GH
Have you compared this to any similar digital tape measures, or is this your first time using one? I’d appreciate a tool like this, but I’m not sure I’d be willing to pony up 100 bucks for one
Stuart
I have previously been extremely hesitant about digital tape measures.
If Reekon hadn’t sent these over, and I hadn’t talked to their founder and CEO a couple of times over the past few years, or watched how they’ve developed the design and built up its quality, I probably wouldn’t have given it much thought.
I get offers and pitches for a ton of digital measurement tools and doodads. So far this is the only one that seems genuinely designed to save workers time and effort rather than grab at their wallet.
I previously tested the T1 Tomahawk. While I appreciated everything they did with it, I really like the T1M much better, especially the 16ft size.
MKY
Stuart –
“ The tool ***is?***quick to use”
… “ that I’ll look back on 10 years***from?*** now…”
Stuart
Thanks! *fixed* Sorry, Kevin Malone mode takes over some times.
MKY
I can appreciate that.
MFC
So, in a framing/trim application, do you see any issues with butting into walls or measuring to the top of sill plates? I typically have to bend my tape to get a measurement. Does this tape allow super accurate (within a 64th) end-end measurements when you have to butt up against a wall or ceiling? I measure standing from the floor a lot of times as well, which obviously wouldn’t work with this one unless it’s super rigid and I could put the butt of it on the floor?
Also, I bend the curved edge of my tape down on a flat surface to get a super precise measurement in the field. Is the only way to achieve that with this tape to use the yellow marking square featured above, and is it accurate or is there wobble to it? I really don’t want to have to swap it back and forth depending on which side I’m on…
And when I’m doing plumbing I’m measuring from collar to collar on pipe couplings and so I just extend my tape past what I think the pipe length will be and then hold the end at one coupling and look to see where it falls on the other coupling for the length of the pipe. I don’t imagine this tape would make that job easier…
These are typical use scenarios that I’d want it to outperform a regular tape on and think it might do some of it better, and some of it worse…
Stuart
It has 1/32 resolution, but also has an indicator that makes it clear when a measurement is a little short or long from the measurement it gives.
You can switch the measurement reference point from the front of the rear to the back case, or manually add 5″ (16′) or 5-1/2″ (25′) to your measurement.
It’s a full-fledge tape measure, and so you can bend the tape flat against a surface if that’s what you’re used to.
I have found that the display is perfectly intuitive to the point I sometimes forget I can read the tape, but it’s always there.
g
From what I read in the description, I forget if here or on Amazon, is that the tape will measure from the end of the holder so it does, or can do, tape length plus length of the case
MM
I remember a previous Toolguyd article about the full-size Tomahawk in which Mr. Reed talked about their design process and said something along the lines of “In order to be a good digital tape measure, it must first be a good ordinary tape measure.” I thought that was a very good point–quite often products–especially small electronics–will focus on new gimmicky features while failing to deliver on the fundamentals. I agree with that idea 110%, and it’s very refreshing to hear that from a CEO. However, I also felt that the original T1 managed to fail that very same test right off the bat: it’s enormous and boxy. The combination of that boxy shape and rubberized coating is probably required for durability, but it means It can’t simply slide into my pocket the way a normal tape measure can. A tape measure I can’t easily stick in my pocket is useless because I won’t carry it with me. Oh the irony.
The T1M still seems difficult-to-pocket compared to a normal tape but it also seems greatly improved compared to the original Tomahawk. I’m happy where this trend is going.
Christian Reed (REEKON)
Appreciate it and always working to improve, we learned a lot from our first generation of tapes (and still have many customers who prefer the T1 Toamahwk over the T1M) but size and features are always something we are working to optimize for.
We found early on there isn’t any one size fits all option based on the huge range of people who use tape measures but working to try and make enough variety to earn a place in toolboxes where the Bluetooth sharing and other Digital features help earn its keep.
Alexk
I can’t get a sense of the size of the tape measure from the images I’ve seen on the REEKON site or Amazon.
My suggestion, for people like me that need to know if it’s small enough to be comfortable on a belt, would be easy to find images showing it on a belt as well as an image of it fully in a hand. Maybe there are images showing it, but it’s not obvious to me.
Nathan
I’ve thought about this cheaper model. It looks like for butup measurements it knows the offset of the body and would add it for you if you want. The plastic marking ledge is removable and I’m curious how well that lasts. The pipe thing I would imagine if you knew your preferred depth in fitting then adding it on would be easy and you could then measure from edge to edge of fittings and etc. And they make it seem like you’d never bend the tape
Nathan
Stuart I’m curious have you been working with reelon for a while before this do they have good return policy, warranties, etc?
I see they have a new t1r coming out soon not sure I need that at 240 but it’s interesting
Stuart
I haven’t heard any complaints or negativity yet. Reekon Tools’ owner is hands-on and has my trust.
Nathan
Well color me Intrigued. The t1 was too expensive for me to consider but at 100 this t1m is interesting
Might have to get one. I’m finally in need of a laser distance device so I might consider this too
Jason Gibson
I’ve been using the t1m for a few months now and love it. The app is very useful . That said I would wait the t1r as it Has better features. It was also fully backed on kickstarter and is to ship in 2026.
Stuart
I’m not familiar with that model. Taking a look, it should definitely be better seeing as how it’s 2.5X the price.
Saulac
Is there anything like these but use a simple string instead of the tape? Must have a special spool where the string would wrap only one layer…measure is based on how much the spool turns.
MM
I’ve never seen one designed for use as a hand tool, but draw wire sensors aka “string pots” (potentiometers) and “string encoders” are a type of sensor used for test setups, industrial machinery, etc, and work just like that. They contain a rotary sensor attached to a spool of string or fine cable and measure how much of the cable has been pulled out. I’ve used string pots from TE Connectivity for many projects.
Saulac
Learn something new today. Thanks.
Stuart
No.
Tom
https://toolguyd.com/bagel-smart-tape-measure/
Stuart
I completely forgot about that! Looking into the company today, they switched back to traditional body measurement-type tapes.
Tom
Is it possible to modify the firmware for custom applications?
Stuart
I don’t believe so, but it might be possible in theory. What kind of custom applications are you thinking about?
Tom
I have a custom/personal measuring system I use for fun. I can make my own rulers and things like that, but don’t have a tape measure.
More practically, I can imagine something like go/no-go markings or an app with woodworking plans that sends cut lengths to your tape measure.
Christian Reed (REEKON)
We dont have open Firmware but do have an SDK available to interact with the Bluetooth functionality!
https://support.reekon.tools/hc/en-us/articles/35510332936596-BLE-Connection-Guide-and-SDK-for-REEKON-Tools
Tom
I’ve requested SDK access. Thanks!
JoeM
*Pain In The Neck Mode Is Engaged.*
Do the Reekon Digital Tape Measures have a Metric mode, by chance? T1/T1M/T1R Any Future Tape Measures with Metric for their primary, or switchable, Unit of Measurement?
Stuart
Yes. You can replace the tape with metric or split tape, and the digital units are easy to change in the settings.
Rick
When I go to their web site there is a lot of useful information on the T1 Tomahawk, but nothing on the T1M Utility – it just states “SOMETHING BIG* IS COMING SEPTEMBER 3RD”. They need to address that. It may just be a glitch with their web site, but it is off putting to potential customers.
It makes me wonder what their support is like if they haven’t even updated their web site updated since September 3 for a new product release. Perhaps I’m being overly picky, but it’s my gut reaction. (To be fair, there is a lot of information on the T1M on Amazon, but it really belongs on the company web site as well.)
That said, there’s a lot to like:
– The display can switch between fractional and decimal measurements (e.g. 1 5/8″ 1.625″).
– The 12 month warranty.
– Being drop tested from six feet. However, this tool is not cheap, and it will get dropped a fair bit in normal use. I can’t help wondering if would always still work if it fell six feet onto a concrete floor when the casing is plastic.
Still, the concept looks great. I can imagine this becoming a mainstream tool a few years from now.
Stuart
https://store.reekon.tools/products/t1m-utility-digital-tape-measure-tool
They have a main info site and a separate online store, and it seems like the info site’s menu entry hasn’t been updated. Not a big deal.
John
What are the features on it that you actually use? Could you give us some idea of what makes it more useful than a regular one?
Matt_T
I’m also left wondering whether the tape has any useful features. I guess the digital display might be easier to read but it ain’t exactly hard to read a tape. We’re not talking a big improvement like going from vernier and dial calipers to digitals.
And does the display have a backlight? That could be useful in low light.
“It’s like having digital calipers”
Will it toggle between inch and metric?
Can it be re-zeroed to make no math step measurements?
These are features that make digital calipers more useful.
Stuart
Yes, there’s an automatic backlight, yes you can switch between units, and yes you can do relative measurements.
Stuart
Let’s say I’m shipping a box. I can take a digital tape to the box in the garage, log the length, width, and height, and then create the shipping label on a computer inside the house.
Let’s say you’re on a ladder measuring the gap between kitchen cabinets and the ceiling. You can take and record measurements right on the tool.
alex
Look like an awesome tool.
What would be even.more awesome is if they had a combo unit with a laser distance measure in it!!
Simon Akhusai
Thanks for new technology but how to get the product here in Uganda (east Africa) I would like to own one. Thanks
Stuart
Some sellers might be willing to ship internationally, but I don’t know of any.