Customer Reviews

Stabila 06400 Laser Distance Measurer

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is a professional-grade tool with high functionality and the price, while high, still reflects the value of a quality and precision instrument. It is extremely compact and well-made, clad with hard rubber on its corners and edges; it's designed to take the occasional drop on concrete. While lightweight, it feels robust. Its buttons are covered and the device itself is rated for protection against dust intrusion and splashes of water, making it an excellent field devise that will hold up to frequent use. The fold out device used to assist with diagonal and outside corner measuring is well made and stiff, not liable to break or flex. The accuracy is excellent and the device records the measurements quickly with a clear, easily heard tone. Unlike lesser models, this tool records distance in inches only, as well as feet and inches, and metric. The unit also has a memory function for the last several measurements, which can be recalled to perform calculations. The buttons have pictograms which I found mostly useful, but not entirely. The instruction manual is heavier than the unit itself due to the fact that this is an internationally marketed tool with instructions in about a zillion languages, in addition to English. (Latvian? Greek? Hungarian? You're covered) The instructions take some getting used to, which may be a function of translation (German company, but the unit itself is made in Hungary), so the best thing is to practice with it for a few hours before you need it for all but the simplest measurements. It takes two AAA style batteries and seems to last pretty well if they are of good quality.

In brief:

Pros:
+ Compact, tough, and light
+ Excellent accuracy and very good distance (60 meters, or about 180 feet)
+ Excellent functions, with memory, addition and subtraction of measurements, different reading scales, area, volume, stake out function, and a very, very useful minimum/maximum mode
+ Display shows last three measurements taken, which can be cleared one at a time
+ Well-made padded case with belt loop, adjustable lanyard

Cons:
- Cryptic instructions and button pictograms
- No tripod mount - This strikes me as odd for such a well-made device at this price

For me, the price wasn't an issue, as I feel it matches the quality, functionality, and value for the unit. Having said that, for most people the lower cost Stabila measuring device or even the excellent Bosch DLR165 might be better choices. There is not all the functionality there, but plenty enough for most contractors, handymen (or women) estimators, etc. If all you want is a device that takes basic measurements, in addition to volume and area, with some additional features, along with excellent accuracy at distance for a hundred bucks or more less, then those might be for you.

I own both the Stabila LD 400 and the Bosch DLR165 and like them both. Make no mistake, though- they are not in the same class. The LD400 has more functions, and is slightly more compact. Though I really like the Bosch and it has some features that I like, the Stabila is better made. Fit and finish are tighter, the Stabila is IP rated, the rubber protectors cover more area, and the fold-out device for measuring inside diagonals is higher quality. It also uses half the batteries: two to Bosch's four.

Great Product saves me a lot of time when doing field surveys on existing buildings, very accurate, easy to use, I recommend this product to any contractor that ever has to quickly field measure, or for quality control of framing installations, plumbing rough verification wish I had one years ago.

I bought the Stabila 06400 Laser Distance Measurer because I have projects around the house that require taking long measurements and it's not always possible to find someone to help me when I finally get some free time to tackle these projects. My immediate need requires only "ball park" measurements. For example, I'm adding more insulation and a radiant heat barrier (foil) to the attic in my home and I'm installing molding throughout the house. My home is quite large and it would have been very time-consuming and tedious to get the various measurements and square footage calculations the old fashioned way with a tape measure. The Stabila laser measurer made for extremely quick work on these projects. I mean it was crazy fast! I was then able to order my materials based on those measurements. Although I haven't tested the Stabila for precise "down to a fraction of an inch" measurements on actual boards that I cut yet, I feel pretty confident that it's going to be accurate. I will post another review when I use it to cut the molding that I'm installing.

I noticed that at least one reviewer mentioned how the buttons on this Stabila are not very intuitive. I totally agree with this statement, especially if you use this tool on an occasional basis. If you use it on a daily basis, I'm sure this won't be an issue. In Stabila's defense, the buttons are pretty small (but not too small) and are labeled with icons. If they used "word" labels, the print would be too small to read. I've been using this tool once or twice every couple of weeks or so at this point and I've had to review the owner's manual each time to refresh myself on which buttons are for the functions I want to use. Again, more frequent users will not have to read the manual each time. Also, because this unit uses the "pressure pad" type of keypad, you have to apply more pressure to the keys to get them to work than you would if they had "mechanical" keys. This presented a very minor problem when I had to place the Stabila in tight places and I was in a sort of contorted position to operate it. Mechanical keys would have certainly been easier to press in these conditions, but at the expense of the dust and water protection that the pressure pad keys offer. For this reason, I am fine with the pressure pads.

I'm glad I purchased this unit and it will certainly be a game changer for me when I'm doing projects around the house. I have this tool on my mind all the time and am constantly thinking of new things to use it on. My father's house awning got damaged recently and needed replacing. I got all the measurements very easily within minutes to order a new one. The neighbors were quite impressed with the Stabila too. This Stabila is a very convenient size and quite portable. It is constructed very well, has a quality feel and seems like it could take some good punishment without affecting its performance. It comes with a very nice case as well, which you can wear on your belt or keep in your tool pouch/bag. The display is very easy to read, appears to be accurate and has been a pleasure to use so far. I have a feeling that my tape measure is going to start accumulating dust!