CST/Berger TLM100 Laser Distance Measurer

by CST/Berger

Product Description

Amazon.com Review

In the past, the trouble with long-distance measuring was that it could be cumbersome, time-consuming, and potentially inaccurate. But with the FatMax Tru Laser measuring system, laser technology solves the problems of yesteryear with point-and-shoot ease. Perfect for people who need to measure farther than they can reach, the FatMax Tru Laser turns complicated surveying into a one-man job. Just point the laser, press the button, and voila -- instant, accurate measurements for do-it-yourselfers or contract professionals.

Take measurements indoors, outdoors, and in hard-to-reach areas without complicated set-ups, ladders, or climbing. Forget about measuring poles and wobbly steel tapes. With the FatMax Tru Laser you can calculate length, width, and height from any reference point in the room, and you can even determine the available area or volume. Great for appraisers, carpenters, plumbers, technicians, floor and tile layers, and painters, the FatMax is as versatile as it is easy to use.

Calculate dimensions for tiling projects.

Estimate for window fittings.

Tackle complex painting projects.

Lay carpet with ease.

Great for Tiling Estimations
Just imagine the number of measurements and dimensions involved in even the simplest tiling project. Reduce the waste and frustration from re-tiling and re-cutting by getting it right the first time with this lightweight, portable measuring device.

Simplify Window Fitting
Window fitting normally relies on measuring tapes, but what if you've got dozens of windows spaced over a large front -- for example, an apartment block? Measuring the old-fashioned way would be tiresome and time-consuming, not to mention dangerous. But with the FatMax Tru Laser, complex calculations and production planning is streamlined and safe.

Painting is a Piece of Cake
Indoor measurements are inconvenient and imprecise, primarily because of the inefficient manner in which they're carried out. Walking back and forth with floppy, difficult-to-manage tapes or enlisting the help of friends can double your work time and give you a backache, but the FatMax Tru Laser measures like a pro. Just step inside, point and click, and the room's exact area, volume, size, and length are right at your fingertips.

Carpet Laying Can Be Uncomplicated
Let the FatMax Tru Laser eliminate transcription errors by doing the math for you. That way, you only need to do the job once -- and you can abandon cumbersome, repetitive tasks like stooping to plant and arrange measuring tapes.

Enjoy Immediate, Pinpoint Accuracy
This innovative point-and-shoot laser tool measures distances up to 100 feet with an accuracy that's +/- just a 1/4-inch. Try getting that kind of precision from an old steel tape! And don't be fooled by cheaper sonic measuring tools that claim similar technology. They may cost less, but they're notoriously inaccurate -- with precision that varies up to 4 inches at only 50 feet. So if you need numbers that are right on the money, don't skimp with inferior tools. Stick with the Tru Laser if you want it done right the first time, every time.

Applications
Use the FatMax Tru Laser to quickly and accurately measure room sizes, ceiling heights, and long runs of fencing and railings; and it also performs addition and subtraction, calculates area, and determines volume. This advanced tool is a fantastic choice for almost any professional contractor, designer, technician, or appraiser.

The FatMax Tru Laser offers exceptional accuracy.

Key Technical Specs

• Accuracy: +/- 1/4 inch (6mm) at 100 feet
• Range: 2 - 100 feet
• Display: 2-line LCD
• Indicators: low battery, message codes, measurement reference, and more
• Batteries: 9 volt (included)

Warranty
Stanley warrants its products to the original purchaser for its useful life -- not to exceed one year for this electronic device -- against deficiencies in material and workmanship.

What's in the box:
FatMax Tru Laser tool with a 9-volt battery, owner’s manual, compact belt case.

About the CST/berger Brand
Founded in 1903, Chicago Steel Tape (today known as CST/berger) began as a manufacturer of steel measuring tapes. A pioneer in providing surveyors with innovative, quality instruments at competive prices. Now as a result of over 100 years of manuafacturing experience, global marketing strategies, state-of-the art technologies, and the addition of products for teh building and construction markets, CST/berger has become USA's largest, and one of the world's leading, vertically integrated manufactures of surveying accessories, as well as building and construction instruments. CST/berger became a subsidiary of Stanley in 2004.

From the Manufacturer

The TLM100 is a real laser distance meter utilizing laser technology to measure distances, areas and volumes. Laser distance meters are highly accurate in comparison to sonic distance meters. The TLM100 features a 1/4-inch accuracy at 100 feet, as opposed to a 4-inch accuracy at 50 feet common with sonic measuring devices. The TLM100 is quick and efficient: Just point the laser, press the button and measure. This one person measuring tool saves you both time and money. The TLM100 is extremely versatile and safe. Measure indoors, out-doors, hard to reach places or hazardous areas. The TLM100 comes packed with several user friendly applications such as measuring linear distances, adding and subtracting distance measurement, area calculations, and volumes at the touch of a button. The tool is perfect for anyone measuring distances up to 100ft, and can be used in a variety of occupations...Realtors, Estimators, Window and Glass contractors, Flooring and Tiling, Painting & Carpet Laying just to name a few. Best of all it is perfect for amateurs and professionals alike. The TLM100 comes complete with the TLM100 tool, owners manual and a compact belt case.

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 5 x 3 x 2 inches ; 8 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B000BDIRYC
• Item model number: 77-910
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (85 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #60,084 in Home Improvement (See Top 100 in Home Improvement)
  • #75 in Home Improvement > Power & Hand Tools > Measuring & Layout Tools > Line Lasers

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

94 of 95 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars amazingly useful, well designed tool, December 28, 2005

By 

Joseph C. Mooney (Christina Lake, BC Canada) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: CST/Berger TLM100 Laser Distance Measurer (Tools & Home Improvement)

I saw press releases about this product and was one of the first people to purchase it, through homedepot.com for more money than amazon is currently asking.

It is well built, intuitive and easy to use.

Note that this Tru Laser, is truly a laser measuring device. That means the little laser beam takes the measurement - whatever it is shining on is what you measure.
Don't confuse this with the ubiquitous "sonic measurers" that use a laser pointer. Those use sound waves which are inaccurate and wide, making it frustrating/impossible to measure anything small or fine.

The product designers did an outstanding job. I found that after reading the short instruction sheet (1 big page) I was able to remember which button to press for each function.

This device greatly enhances productivity and accuracy compared to using a tape measure or yardstick. You probably would not us it for shorter measurements, say less than 18 inches but for anything over that it's the weapon of choice.

The TruLaser is excellent for quickly and accurately measuring home dimensions. For basic things like room dimensions (wall to wall distance, ceiling height, ...) it's excellent. Trying to accurately measure the height of a vaulted ceiling with a tape measure requires a ladder, and sometimes two people. With this device one person can do the job in about 10 seconds.

I was pleasantly surprised to find I could measure more things than I had hoped for. As long as you can catch an edge, the laser is usually able to take a reading (it tells you if it cannot). So you can measure the inside dimensions of a window (if it's larger than 18 inches or so), and you can measure how far the window is from the doorway or an adjacent window (assuming you can catch a piece of trim with the laser).

The product promises 1/4 inch accuracy at up to 100 feet range.
I haven't done exhaustive tests, but it in most cases I tried (30 feet or less) the accuracy was better than promised.

After using the Tru Laser for a few days I simply would not be without it - a tape measure seems so cumbersome and inefficient
in comparison.

I highly recommend this item.

59 of 59 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good Price and Size, December 12, 2005

By 

A N - See all my reviews

Those that have been watching these laser measures will note that they cost $1000's of dollars just a few years ago. This one is under $100. Wow. I guess that's the good news. The bad news is that you do give up a bit for the cheaper price.

I have a Disto laser measure that I got for about $400 a year ago. It has Leica opticals just like this Stanley unit. Its accuracy is +/- 1/16" at 650 feet. The Stanley unit has an accuracy of +/- 1/4" at up to 100 ft. but note that a target is required over 50 ft. I have confirmed the 50 ft. range claim, but it seems to have a good range.

If you don't need the extreme accuracy, this unit is great. Its the smallest laser measure I've ever seen, and its pretty simple to use. Press the button once, the laser is on, press again, it measures. It also can calculate areas, volumes and add or subtract multiple measurements.

While the specs. do mention accuracy, they don't mention repeatability, which also seems pretty very good. Sometimes, repeatability is more important than accuracy.

In any case, if you can get away with the 1/4" accuracy, this is a great unit for the price.

Note: Don't be confused by other cheap devices claiming to be laser measures. If they are under $50, they aren't. They use ultrasonic sound and have a laser pointer built-in. Even though they look precise because of the laser pointer, they aren't. An ultrasonic beam at 60 ft. away can be 60 ft. wide. They give a reading, but its hard to tell exactly WHAT they are reading. With this device, you know exactly what you are measuring because it lights up red.

55 of 55 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Accurate, Easy-To-Use, August 8, 2006

By 

Douglas E. Wong (Riverside, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: CST/Berger TLM100 Laser Distance Measurer (Tools & Home Improvement)

As a real estate appraiser I use this device on a daily basis. It is especially terrific for indoor use, however works fine outdoors as well. On rainy days, or when homeowners' houses are so heavily packed with junk that it's difficult to get around, this thing saves both time and potentially ripped pants and mud-soaked shoes.

It is very, very accurate. More accurate than a roll-stick and just as accurate as a tape.

At longer distances outdoors, it can be difficult to spot the red-dot in bright sunlight, so if that will be your primary work environment, you may want to get a unit with a view-finder like the TLM300, especially if you're trying to spot a small object. For measuring across lawns fence to fence, the target is big enough that this isn't a problem. I would, however, have liked to have seen a small bubble-level on the side of this device, and perhaps a couple notches on the front and back to use as a sight, like that on a handgun. Still, this rarely is an issue for my purposes.

It is also very, very low priced. Similar models from other companies I've seen are often priced a hundred or two bucks higher.

The holster is nice, and I appreciate that the belt-loop is detachable on one side so I don't have to unbuckle my belt to remove it. The unit fits very snugly inside, and is a bit of a tight fit.

Battery life (9V) is solid; I've only had to replace the battery once after daily use for months.

This unit converts from metric to US feet to US inches at the press of a button and also Adds and Subtracts from previous measurements. I often use this feature when measuring objects which have no surface opposite me to target, like the back of a house. I'll measure the length of the lawn, fence to fence, then use the subtract function to subtract the distance between the house and the fence.

There are a couple features I would have liked to see, the aforementioned bubble-level and sight/viewfinder, and it would've been nice if the unit had a backlight to the display. However the higher end model TLM300 includes all these features as well as an angle-measurer. Still, for the price, this is an awesome tool.

5-stars on this one. This is great!