This instrument is a lifesaver! I bought it to survey the lot of the house I purchased, to plan for new construction. The lot has a large flat section, but also significant asymmetrical slopes in front and back. The back of the lot is not even easily accessible, but visible, with a steep downslope. I was able to measure everything in length and elevation pretty much perfectly, certainly well enough to be a guide for my preliminary building plans. I was able to measure the size and location of the house, setbacks, distance to the edges of the lot and flat parts of the lot, width of the street out front, etc. I used it in conjunction with a good target https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003BNY7NE?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2_dt_b_product_details that made certain measurements much quicker and easier than without. A target like that is a must, IMO.
The most impressive thing was that I was able to measure the back of the lot with a 40ft high, 70ft deep downslope (~32 degrees), with only a concrete drainage ditch at the end to target. I did all measurements form the top of the slope. The measurements, even with such an unreliable target, were repeatable enough and crosschecked well enough to be usable (within a foot). Ex: height should be the same when targeting the same point at the bottom of the slope from any part along the top edge of the slope. I got good enough measurements even without a tripod. Measuring the length, height and angle of the slope would have been pretty much impossible without a tool like this!
The indirect measurements on this device are Just awesome! Quite easy to access in the menu, though easier would be better, maybe with a few more buttons on the face (it's also dumb that it doesn't remember settings between starts). It tells you the depth or height, but on the same screen it also shows the distance to the measured point (the hypotenuse of the triangle), as well as the angle. I wish it would tell you all 3 sides of the triangle at once. Of course the third side can be calculated using trigonometry or the mode can be changed to measure the other side (height or depth).
The thing is amazing for measuring interior dimensions of rooms. So much quicker and easier than a tape measure!
It also seems quite accurate at shorter distances where you'd normally use a tape measure, even at a few inches, though you can't measure less than about 5 inches in front of the lens. I checked against a tape measure and it was quite close.
Having said that, it's good to have a tape measure along with this, as some measurements are easier and more accurate with a tape measure, especially at short distances.
Long story short, this is an amazing tool that I wish I had known about a long time ago! But it's most indispensable for surveying.
| Brand | BOSCH |
|---|---|
| Are Batteries Included | Yes |
| Color | Blue |
| Material | Plastic |
| Sport | No Sport |
| Item Weight | 0.46 Pounds |
| Product Dimensions | 2.5"L x 1.13"W x 5.5"H |
| Battery Description | Lithium-Ion |
| Team Name | Bosch |
| Water Resistance Level | Water Resistant |
| League | No League |
| International Protection Rating | IP54 |
| Manufacturer | Bosch |
| Part Number | GLM400CL |
| Item Weight | 7.4 ounces |
| Country of Origin | Malaysia |
| Item model number | GLM400CL |
| Batteries | 3 AA batteries required. (included) |
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
| Size | Large |
| Style | Li-Ion Battery Version |
| Power Source | Battery Powered |
| Voltage | 120 Volts |
| Item Package Quantity | 1 |
| Measurement System | Imperial |
| Special Features | Water resistant |
| Included Components | (1) GLM400CL BLAZE™ Outdoor 400 Ft. Connected Lithium-Ion Laser Measure with Camera (1) Micro USB Cable (1) Battery Charger (1) Hand Strap (1) Pouch |
| Batteries Included? | Yes |
| Batteries Required? | Yes |
| Battery Cell Type | Lithium Ion |
| Description Pile | Lithium-Ion |
| Warranty Description | Bosch measuring and layout tools are covered by a one year limited warranty with an additional year when you register your tool within eight weeks of purchase - for details, call 1-877-BOSCH99 |
