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
Learn More via 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.
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.
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