Customer Reviews

Strait-Line 64030 Laser Tape

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(8)
1 star:		(25)

 

 

I understand that this tool is only for estimating, but even for that purpose it's unacceptable. Lots, maybe most of the time I simply get an "error" result; other times, on a distance I can visualize to be 10 or 12 feet, this device says "3 foot" or "3 foot 2 inch" (this seems to be a favorite false result, happens A LOT). Device won't work if you're close to a corner, won't work well on any irregular surface, and rounds to the nearest inch; no eighths, no quarters, nothing less than a full inch. All in all, I have no confidence in the results, and have switched back to a tape.

I got this tool because I LOVE the laser level and it works so well - NOT so with the laser tape! I guess we need a little bit more technology before something like this can be very useful as a household tool. When its low on battery especially, it gives wacky numbers that are nothing close to the actual distance! It also doesn't work well if you have patterned wallpaper - it needs a solid surface! When it does work, it only measures to the closest inch - anyone who has done home repairs knows that isn't nearly close enough! An inch might as well be a mile! I don't recommend this product.

Would give it 0 stars if I could. Yes it does measure but only to within an inch. i'm sorry but that isn't even close for making accurate cuts and if you cut short your really messed. Also it doesn't have a level bubble so if your not shooting real straight your length will be biased by the laser being out of level. Unless your only requirement is a "best guess" as to the length forget it.

I had great expectations for this product but when I received it I realized it had major short falls. First of all it only displays in whole numbers. What about all those 1/8th, 1/4's etc. that are crucial to measurements. Secondly it only works when directed at very solid objects. Anything that can absorb sound waves will result in an inaccurate reading. I cannot think of any application where these shortfalls are acceptible. Don't buy this product. I in fact tried to return it and was told that since it was opened it was unreturnable. The suggestion was to try to sell it used. WHO WOULD BUY THIS JUNK?!

Never mind that the measurement readout only reads down to the nearest inch, the accuracy of this tape is simply mind-bogglingly bad.

Examples: Several readings taken against a far wall varied from 14' to 22'. I repeatedly got an "exact" reading of 14' 8" on a wall over 20 feet away, even while varying the distance to the target by several feet! Closer in, I get a 2' 9" measurement on a target over 4 feet away.

These are not occasional errors, they are continuous and render this 'tool' unusable.

If the price were cheaper, this would make a great cat exerciser. Other than that, this product is completely useless.

I purchased a Laser tape to compare the accuracy to the Leica Disto Laser Distance Gage that I use professionally as an Insurance Adjuster. I found that the Strait Line Laser tape works well if you are in an empty square room and are only trying to find an approximate size, for example if you were buying carpet and needed approximate square footage. The display only shows the measurement to the nearest inch, and if there are obstructions anywhere near the intended target, (cabinets, furniture, people, art, etc), you cannot depend on the dimension displayed being the actual dimension from the unit to the red dot. It does have an easy to use interface, but if you need fast, accurate measurements, I recommend a device that actually uses the laser beam to determine the dimension, as opposed to a sonic device with a laser pointer. Two true laser measuring devices are the Leica Disto and Trimble HD150. They cost from $300 to $700, but are well worth it for measuring professionals.

I wanted to add 2 things to my original review:
1) This instrument is very sensitive to low battery strength. Replacing the battery corrected a good bit (though not all) of its inconsistency.
2) It is blind as a bat when aimed at certain complex (wallpaper) patterns or at irregular (like fluted molding) surfaces; it needs a solid, flat target to calculate distance accurately.

A relative of mine does work for Irwin and received a box of these free. He gave me 4 units. I was quite excited and began to use 1 of them for myself right away. It does not work well at all. I've tried it in several rooms in my house from my garage down to my basement. It has been terribly wrong. As I sit here and type this I am pointing it at a wall that is 15'5" (used regular tape measure). The Laser Tape is reading 12'3". When I point the laser at the solid wood door on the same wall, I get a reading of 4'9"! To reduce the chance of user error I am placing the unit on my counter top and just pressing the 'Read' button. It consistently states the measurements above.

I have two theories on why it does not work. (1) Battery strength or (2) sound waves bouncing off objects in or near laser dot.

I have read some reviews on batteries making a difference and this is a new battery. To be fair in my reporting I will say this is the only new 9V battery I have, so I have not tested the unit with another battery. If the strength of the battery is so important they should (1) add a battery strength meter and not allow the unit to work with a weakening battery or (2) add a rechargeable battery with a cradle to keep the unit fully charged.

Perhaps the problem is the fact that it uses sonar and the reading is messed up by surrounding objects. The laser is pointed under my kitchen cabinets. Perhaps the sound waves are bouncing off the counter top or bottom of the cabinet. Is that why the commercial shows a guy in an empty room? Maybe the unit is more accurate with flat walls and no objects in the room. This makes using it unrealistic.

Even though the unit was free for me I can not recommend it as a tool, even for estimating. I now have a dilemma in that I was going to give the other 3 units away as xmas gifts, but I cannot do that. It simply does not work reliably.

I have this item on order and have only used it in the store. Found it to be accurate enough for my purposes - sq footage for paint, wallpaper, flooring etc. I am having the most problem with Amazon's list price of $59.02. I shopped extensively for this item and never saw it priced over $36.00. They make it seem that you are getting a very good buy when in fact you are paying exactly what it sells for at any store.

...this is a good example of "you get what you pay for," I suppose.

This alleged "laser tape" actually uses a sound wave to take its measurement, the laser beam is there mainly for underhanded marketing purposes to mislead you into thinking that you're buying far more advanced technology than you're really getting.

Of course, sonar is notoriously unreliable for this sort of application, and therefore it is hardly surprising that it delivers kinda-sorta accurate rough measurements in all of maybe 3 out of 10 tries. All sorts of environmental factors can easily throw it off: the color, texture, and shape of the object you are pointing it at (flat 90 degree white walls seem to enjoy about 60% efficacy, the highest I ever got with it), exterior noise conditions, how much open space there is around you, etc.

Really the only thing this sonar tape really does well is serve as a bulky, clunky and noisy (it makes a clicking sound during operation, which I wish I could disable) laser pointer---the 9V battery does last a bit longer than the tiny little watch battery that most pen-size laser pointers use.

Thank God the home improvement warehouse I bought it at has a great return policy!