[brianbarber]

Hi guys

Best method of measuring a job, trad tape measure,or those digital jobbies?
thinking about getting a digital ....
Any one use a digi measure?

Thanks in advance

Mr B

[Billy Russell]

i use digital, much better than tape!!!!

saves time as well!!!

[M.Acorn]

Sonic laser measure,adds up the area too,save time with a calculator 

[Jamie Pearson]

Sonic laser measure,adds up the area too,save time with a calculator  

Agree. so much faster and professional.

AutoCad from furniture diagrams on commercials if you do em is even better.

[Griffus]

Laser is best, sonic not that accurate.

Looks so much more professional and done in seconds.

I have this one: -

http://www.bosch-pt.com/productspecials/professional/dle50/au/en/start/index.htm

Great bit of kit and prices are great now compared to a few years ago.

[K.O. Glanville]

As Ian said, get a Laser, not a Sonic.

With the laser, it projects a red dot on the point you are measuring to, so the distance is accurate.

With a Sonic, this works on a frequency somewhat similar to radar, and can bounce back from an obstacle between you and the point you are aiming for, giving you a shorter distance than it actually is.

If doing commercial work, make sure that the meter can cover longer than normal residence measurements.

Shorty.

[Jim_77]

Agreed on the sonic ones... I had one, and it conned me out of a fair bit of money on a commercial job once... I put it under the wheel of my van and ran over it so I wasn't tempted to use the dam thing any more!!

(they actually work on the principal of sonar, the same as bats... bouncing a sound off something and timing how long it takes to come back.  Radar is radio waves )

I think a decent laser one with a good range would probably set you back £100 or so but should last a lifetime.

Saying all that, I prefer to use a tape measure

I use an 8m tape.  If I've got a big room like a school hall I wind it all out from one end, pick a marker point and walk back, measuring in 8m sections.  Doesn't take very long and the tape never lies!!

[Jamie Pearson]

Actually it's a laser one I have. When doing big areas my hands shake so much (probably the trich exposure as a child) I need to get someone to stand part of the way along and measure in sections. There is always the sniper comment.

[Steven Lawrence]

laser all day long! much more accurate than a tape measure, and they calculate area, go for the bosch.

[John Kelly]

get one of these, absolutely brilliant. I can even measure up to door architraves. You won't regret it.

http://www.laser-measure.co.uk/leica-disto/leica-disto-d2.html

[Billy Russell]

Agree with John, Leica are really good, I got this one.....

http://www.laser-measure.co.uk/leica-disto/leica-disto-dxt.html

[Jim_77]

How accurate do you need to be, measuring up a carpet or floor to clean it?!  I learned maths at school too: width x length = area!

[JandS]

Tape every time for me.
I know it's right and if I get it wrong only
me to blame.

[Kinver_Clean]

With a laser if you are in an office it will measure accurately as long as you can point the beam between the cabinets etc. A sonic will bounce off obstructions.

And the price is not that different now. I paid £300+ for my Disto 8 yrs ago.

[Anthony Hull]

I use the Leica. Really recommend it for measuring rooms large or small in seconds. Looks more professional too.

[Nick Attwood]

As above, it has to be laser. I have this one

http://www.google.co.uk/products/catalog?hl=en&ion=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_cp.r_qf.,cf.osb&q=milwaukee+laser+measure&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=3832690242686340360&sa=X&ei=tFiQT4ndO8GX8gO72Om1BA&ved=0CJoBEPMCMAI

[brianbarber]

Thanks guys

Digital laser it is!

Mr B