Black & Decker ATM100 25-Foot Auto Tape Measure

by Black & Decker

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

The first battery-powered tape measure that extends and retracts with the push of a button, Black & Decker's Power Tape ATM100 lets you measure with one hand while you write, dial, scratch, hammer, or whatever, with the other. No more putting down the phone, calculator or handsaw just to take a quick measurement. The automatic tape measure also comes in handy when working in tight spaces where two arms won't fit. Confronted with tricky gluing applications where you just can't let go even for a second, the Power Tape has you covered there, too. Its ergonomic design feels great in the hand, and large forward and back buttons with arrows tell you in a glance which one extends and which one retracts the tape. Forgot to refresh the batteries? No problem! The Power Tape can be used as a manual tape measure, too. Four AAAA batteries included.

Amazon.com Product Description

Ideal for hanging pictures or shelves and for measuring large areas, the Black & Decker ATM100 25-foot Auto Tape Measure can be operated by one hand. This tape can extend and retract its tape with the push of a button for one-handed operation and ease-of-use. This tape can be used as a powered or manual tape measure for versatility and continuous use and its blade stands out over seven feet (before the blade bends), and ideal feature for vertical measurements. Operating on four AAA batteries (included), this tape provides over 100 extensions or retractions before needing new batteries. Other features include soft grips and a contoured design for added comfort and control and a belt clip for added convenience. This tape measure comes backed by a 2-year limited warranty.

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 3 x 7.9 inches ; 1.1 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B0002TG1GG
• Item model number: ATM100
• Batteries: 4 AAA batteries required. (included)
• Average Customer Review: 2.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (55 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #8,129 in Home Improvement (See Top 100 in Home Improvement)
  • #24 in Home Improvement > Power & Hand Tools > Measuring & Layout Tools > Tape Measures

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

315 of 321 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Nice novelty, but not a serious tool., October 29, 2004

By 

Navarro L. Parker "Motion Graphics Dude" (San Diego, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Black & Decker ATM100 25-Foot Auto Tape Measure (Tools & Home Improvement)

When I saw this product, it was an instant must-have gadget for me. After using this tape measure, it's novelty quickly wore off. First of all, it's heavy and bulky. The motor drive and four AAA batteries make it easily twice as long and heavy as a normal tape measure (how how long are tiny AAA batteries going to last?). Secondly, the motor drive seems very underpowered. It really moans and grinds once you extend the tape more than a yard. Another problem is that the retract spring is very weak (there's a warning on the case not to retract the tape at very high speeds). It was disappointing that the motor drive only works to extend the tape, and not to retract it.

The biggest problem of this device is that it is still a metal tape measure that will frustrate endlessly as the tape bends, folds and collapses when you try to measure long or vertical distances. Basically, this is a normal tape measure with a battery powered motor strapped onto it. It would have been better if it had a digital readout.

Probably a nice toy for the suburban weekend DIY crowd, but the plastic case and underpowered motor make this unsuitable for professional heavy duty work.

210 of 213 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Great Toy!, November 27, 2004

By 

Scott L. Keller (So. Cal.) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Black & Decker ATM100 25-Foot Auto Tape Measure (Tools & Home Improvement)

Being a professional woodworker, and a tool junkie, this was a no brainer purchase. Of course, I was pretty sure going into the acquisition, that this was not going to be the smartest purchase I ever made regarding tools- Boy was I right! This thing weighs as much as a belt sander, but without the power needed to extend the blade to any usable length. The case is bulky, and not real easy to move around small or tight areas. It's not the tape you would want on your belt for any length of time- the weight, extreme size, and overall bulkiness is just not comfortable. I thought that leaving it sit on my workbench and using it for general measuring might prove useful, but it just got in the way. Now it sits on a side table next to my reclining chair and I play with it during TV commercials. It's actually quite fun to run the tape out and in, as long as you don't have expectations of it being real useful in a shop environment. Overall, the idea is very clever- too bad the design is so gosh darn huge.

46 of 46 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Heavy, short, and flimsy, November 10, 2005

By 

jzukowski (Boston, MA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Black & Decker ATM100 25-Foot Auto Tape Measure (Tools & Home Improvement)

One word, heavy, describes the product. Not something to clip on your belt to carry all day. Given its size, was surprised only 25'. Have tapes twice as long that weigh half as much.
Tried to measure a floor and by the time the tape got to the wall it curved so much that the measurement was useless. Thought this could be useful to do more with one person. There is a nice release on the bottom that recoils the tape w/o the battery.