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As technical approach sweep through the building and remodeling industries , a few old standards are pay fashion to technical school - favorable tool and techniques . One such tool is the digital mensuration tape that ’s presently available in dozens of makes and models . Along with a aid hand from my husband , John , who is a general contractor , I tested theDeWalt digital tape cadence . It earned a spot on Bob Vila ’s lineup of thebest digital tape measuring stick , and it deserved a exceptional citation here as well .
The DeWalt DW099S 100-Foot Laser Distance Measurer: At a Glance
Rating:8.3/10
PROS
CONS
Get the DeWalt digital tape measure at :
How does the DeWalt digital tape measure work?
The DeWalt digital magnetic tape measure emit a laser beam that bound off a square surface and reflects back to the cock . The peter appraise the time it take for the beam to regress and gauges the distance consequently . lighting travels very tight , so the entire procedure happens in a petite fraction of a 2d , but that ’s long enough for the digital tape measure to get an accurate reading .
It displays the distance on an well-fixed - to - see light-emitting diode screenland that boast promising - white numeral on a black backcloth . We tested theDeWalt digital tape measureand ( using a gamey - character steel taping ) swan that it was accurate within ⅛ inch over a 20 - foot distance . The manufacturer says it ’s accurate within 3/32 inch .
Is the DeWalt laser measurer easy to use?
Measuring running distance is bare on the DeWalt digital magnetic tape . To wrick it on , we pressed the “ Dist ” release , and once the LED screen illume up , all we had to do was point its ruddy optical maser dot at a rampart or another solid detail and crusade the same push to get a meter reading .
The magnetic tape has a few other function that take a scrap longer to learn — mainly because the instruction pamphlet contain no text . It only has symbolisation that resemble hieroglyphic , so we had to utilise trial and error to cypher out how to use the functions .
By pressing the “ Dist ” button multiple times , we find that we could memorialize and store two measurements and then calculate the Earth’s surface domain by breed the numbers . It was actually easier to find the volume of a symmetric way ( where distance , width , and height are the same ) by pushing the Cube button . The LED showing walked us through taking measuring for the length , width , and tiptop of the way and then manifold them to find the bulk .
Photo: Glenda Taylor
The tool also comes with Bluetooth capability we could use by downloading the DeWalt Smart app on our smartphone . The app did n’t do anything more than we could do on the peter , but user can synchronize the digital measure tape with some compensate - subscription apps and apply it in more complex CAD - character applications . We did n’t purchase a compatible app or mental testing that characteristic .
How accurate is the DeWalt digital tape measure?
Our tests found theDeWalt digital tape measureto be accurate within ⅛ in across a 20 - foot span . Across a 6 - ft dyad , we found it was precise within 1/16 inch . Those are passably accurate measurements , but substance abuser should ensure the tool is flat to get the most precise results with either a manual or a digital measuring tape .
We found that the DeWalt digital tapeline measure was well suited to taking general measurement , such as those used to determine how much dry wall or paint to purchase , but we ’re still sell on using a high - calibre brand tape for make gash for finish work , such as trim circuit card and poll modelling that require near - perfect measurements to attain professional resultant role .
to boot , the DeWalt is advertise as appraise up to 100 feet , but we could only get it to file a measurement up to 94 foot . That could have been our fault , however , since some surfaces , such as lustrous ones , do n’t always process well with digital tape measure bill , and we appraise from the side of our shop , which has steel siding .
Photo: Glenda Taylor
Is the DeWalt digital measuring tape worth the price?
Currently betray for around $ 99 , theDeWalt digital tape measureruns $ 20 to $ 40 more than some of the other digital tape we tested .
We like the profile of the backlit cover — we could even see it out of doors on a partially cheery day . However , we were n’t impressed with the Bluetooth app , so we would n’t buy this tool for its connectivity alone . Plus , as engineering improves , we ’re draw more to Wi - Fi capability than Bluetooth . The Bluetooth routine on our smartphone was capable to plunk up the DeWalt tape within just over 100 feet of the shaft . With Wi - Fi , we could have access it near anywhere .
We think the DeWalt digital measuring tape is slightly overpriced since other digital tape recording measures we tested cost less and were just as accurate — the only extra function on the DeWalt was Bluetooth , and we were n’t buff . If DeWalt were to flip-flop from Bluetooth to Wi - Fi , we ’d cough up a Ben Franklin in a heartbeat .
Photo: Glenda Taylor
Is the DeWalt digital measuring tape right for you?
After extensively testing the DeWalt measuring tape , we think it ’s best suited for those who want to get accurate measurements quickly . We ’d recommend it for real estate agent who need to measure the square foot of every elbow room in a house they ’re list or anyone else who needs to visualise out control surface country or square footage , include rug layers , painters , and wallpaper hangers . Finish carpenters who need more accurate measurements or demand to measure only myopic distances along a board or wall may want to stick with a traditional , gamy - quality steel measurement mag tape .
Where to Buy the DeWalt digital tape measure
Meet the Tester
Glenda Taylor is a product tester and author specializing in construction , remodeling , and real estate . She and her married man own a worldwide contracting company , and Taylor is experienced in both residential and commercial building diligence . She tests a wide orbit of power putz as well as other home improvement , home , and lawn - and - garden products .
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Photo: Glenda Taylor
Photo: Glenda Taylor
