CST/Berger TLM100 Laser Distance Measurer
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Tools and Hardware Reviews of CST/Berger TLM100 Laser Distance Measurer
Customer Review: HEad and shoulders above sonic devices
Summary: 5 Stars
Before buying the FatMax I purchased a $50 sonic measuring device. I was shocked that it didn't give fractions of an inch in the readout. I realized after some reasearch that none of them do - not because they cheaped-out on the display, but because they are not accurate enough.
Test measuring from the floor to the ceiling with the sonic device, and raising it a quarter of an inch, it changed from 9'-4" to 9'-3". I'm an architect, and for measuring the existing conditions of a house, that's simply no good. Sonic devices are only good enough for doing rough measurements of a room to calculate square footage - perhaps for a contractor's takeoff.
If you need anything more accurate, or are using this for construction, you need the FatMax. It is priced much less than similar "professional" laser devices I've seen in surveyor's devices cataloges I sometimes get in our office.
We recently used the FatMax over the course of five days measuring the existing conditions of a 23,000 sf commercial building, with some rooms 90-feet long. Multiple measurements over long distances were spot-on. We could go back to check something we thought we maybe got wrong, and even long measurements would would yield the same number - to the 1/8 inch!
The best thing is the speed with which the device allows you to measure the space. We were able to slap it against a wall and shoot acorss the room between chair legs, between junk piled ceiling-high in storage rooms. We got measurements that would have been impossible or unreliable with a tape.
Tiny quibbles: 1) the black rubber base could be a bit broader. In awkward situations it can be a little difficult to hold the unit's base flat against a wall without rocking it a bit and chancing a non-perpendicular measurement error. 2) Devices like this are limited to measuring something like 18" or 24" minimum, perhaps due to the type of laser used, so bring a small tape with you in case you need it (it would be GREAT to have a 36" tape built in here!) and 3) Laser measuring devices give an error when measuring off overly-reflective surfaces like an anodized aluminum storefront frame, but I found this easy to work around - measure to the wall next to the frame or put a piece of tape on the frame.
It even has a great function for adding and subtracting measurements as you go, which was wonderful for getting overall measurement of rooms with walls that jog in and out. And finally, you can set it to measure to include or exclude the depth of the device itself, allowing more flexibility in the field.
If you need longer measurements, get the next model up. But this one is a steal for the time it saves and for its accuracy. Tapeless measuring devices have finally come of age!
Customer Review: Handy tool
Summary: 4 Stars
I am an appraiser and typically wear out 3 to 5 fiberglass tapes a year measuring houses. I had purchased a sonic measuring device which was pathetically unreliable unless you were measuring a short unobstructed inside corner to inside corner. The laser is a huge improvement in that it gives you pinpoint accuracy for measuring point to point, but don't throw your tape away. The laser is great for certain measurments, but not practical for others. the addition/subtraction feature is really handy. Using the tape and laser together priceless. Probably cuts my measuring time down by 30% to 40%.Customer Review: Handyman Dan
Summary: 4 Stars
I've owned a Sears sonic type measuring device for a year or so. It's accuracy is questionable so I was skeptical purchasing another measuring device, especially for $100 bucks. I tried the Fat Max and was amazed at the difference. I do a lot of finish carpentry (crown moulding, base, casement) by myself and this device is a true time saver. Measuring a room full of furniture with any degree of accuracy with a tape measure can be difficult at best. With the Tru-Laser is't a piece of cake. When estimating crown or base moulding the ability to continually add measurements makes overbuying or underbuying material a thing of the past. The only reason I didn't give this 5 stars is it's use in sunlight. It's very difficult if not impossible to pickup the laser outdoors in bright sunlight. A backlite display would be nice too. But all in all this unit is well worth the $100 bucks. I've tested it against a tape measure and it's proved very accurate. Let's face it, trying to measure a 25' wall by yourself with a tape measure to cut a piece of crown moulding I would image the margin for error would be greater than the 1/4" from the Tru-Laser.Customer Review: I just LOVE measuring with FatMax!
Summary: 5 Stars
I'm a real estate appraiser and started using FatMax tapes when they first came out. They last longer, easier to read and stand out farther than any other tape I've used. In a small belt pouch I carry FatMax 35' hard tape and FatMax palm size 100' metal roll-up tape.
I bought the FatMax Laser from Amazon a month ago and instantly fell in love. The appraiser Disto lasers are $400-800 and few of us want to spend that kind of money, so $90 for the FatMax laser- it's a nobrainer... just buy it and you'll love it! I checked accuracy against a hard tape for days and it really is dead-on accurate. As fast as you can push the button twice, you can measure interior wall-to-wall lengths in garages and upper levels; shoot down a 30' wall past landscape with the push of a button or come around an exterior corner and shoot from corner to the far fence.
Hold the laser still before pressing button and sometimes shoot twice as a double check. You need a far wall or target to shoot at and can't see laser dot in sunlight at a distance, but for half your measurements it works as fast as you can push a button twice. Like me, you'll wonder how you ever got along with out it!
Customer Review: It's nice and works great but for $85...
Summary: 3 Stars
The CST/Stanley 77-910 TLM100 FatMax Tru-Laser is nice. It works great but is it worth $85? I would state NOT REALLY. Sure, it's far better to use than a tape ruler / measure and calculator but it just doesn't do all that much for $85 unless you plan on using it every day. However, it is easy to use. I wonder how it compares to the Bosch device...
I do have one suggestion for the manufacturer:
1. Attach a small level indicator on it. That would help when flashing the laser across a room to get a more accurate reading. You don't want to add another few inches / feet because the device is pointing upward or downward.