Over at Amazon and Acme Tools, they have the Bosch GLM 20 laser distance measuring tool on sale for $30.
This pocket-sized laser distance measuring tool came in 3 years ago, and has hovered at the $50 price point for much of the time. Looking at online price trackers, it briefly dropped to $40 a couple of times. From what I can see, $30 is its lowest price ever.
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The Bosch GLM 20 is an appealing laser distance measuring tool, with decent features and more frills than some more basic models.
- 65 ft range
- ± 1/8 in. accuracy
- Backlit display
- Powered by 2 AAA batteries
- Weighs 0.2 lbs
- 4″ long x 1.4″ wide x 0.9″ tall
Compared to lesser lasers, the Bosch GLM 20 has a longer range, and also the backlit display. So, while it’s a lightly-frilled model, it does give you a little more than the most basic models.
Frankly, I really like this design. I have used a couple of Bosch one-button laser distance measuring tools, and they’re great.
No, it can’t do math or calculations. But the one-button design makes it quick, easy, and convenient to use when all you want or need are some quick distance measurements.
For wall-to-wall distances longer than a couple of feet, lasers are simply easier than trying to balance the standout of even the best tape measures. Even indoors and well within the range of 16′ and 25′ tape measures, a laser distance measuring tool can help eliminate frustrations or the need for a second pair of hands.
I don’t want to say that everyone should buy one, but… they really are indispensable, and the $30 price tag is both fair and compelling.
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I’ve had great experiences with my Bosch laser distance measuring tools. This one has a longer range and backlit display compared to than their other one-button tools, and so I’d consider it to be better.
While there are smaller laser distance measuring tools out there, with built-in batteries and micro USB charging ports, I still like Bosch’s simple GLMs better. I’d rather have a larger tool that takes AAA batteries than a smaller one that I need to connect to a computer or wall adapter to recharge.
Price: $30
Buy Now(via Amazon)
Buy Now(via Acme Tools)
Amazon’s shipping ETA is currently said to be 1-3 weeks. Acme Tools is also awaiting inventory.
John
I have this and find the fractional numbers nearly impossible to read. There’s plenty of screen space: Bosch could have gone with full sized numerals for the fractions. It’s a huge drawback for me, and makes reading the display quite challenging.
Fazal Majid
I would recommend spending a little more for a model with the ability to add/substract measurements, and Bluetooth capability to transfer measurements directly into an iPad app. Other functions like estimating area or Pythagoras calculations are mostly useless unless you are a construction pro, but subtracting measurements is something you do all the time, .e.g when there isn’t a hard stop on a doorway or piece of furniture you are trying to measure.
I have the Leica Disto D2 and got my wife the D1 (no add/substract, but still Bluetooth capable), and they are both very reliable quality instruments.
Stuart
Its usefulness really depends on what you need. If you want Bluetooth iPad connectivity and built-in area or volume calculations, this is absolutely not the tool for you.
You can’t spend a little more to get those functions, you often have to spend a lot more.
The Leica Disto D2, for example, is normally 6X the price.
Right now, it’s priced on Amazon at $140, which is 4.7X the price. It’s $110 more.
At $75, the Disto D1 is still 2.5X the price.
The GLM 20 is more of a compact, quick, and easy to use tool when all you need are simpler distance measurements.
Jon
I have a glm 20. It came in a combo kit with the gll 2 for $50 on clearance. Even though they are “cheap” they work great. I use them more than I thought. I would recommend one for sure.
Patrick
Same here. Great for simple stuff and the GLL 2 was super handy last week for drilling a few level holes above my head last weekend in the garage.
Yeah, there’s more fancy stuff out there but this is a great price for something simple that just works.
Reed Prince
I looked on Amazon and there seem to be other laser measures that cost about the same and have many more features. The Tacklife S3-50 has a longer range, better display and other advantages and costs about $33 (with click-on coupon discount).
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07FF546YB/
Aaron
Great thing about the one button ldm is if you’re discussing a project you don’t have to keep track of what the tool is doing. As a one person estimating team you need to maintain conversation while getting basic dimensions. This let’s you reach into a small pocket, slap it against the wall and grab the measurement without them even realizing you’ve done it. I have the bigger Bosch for trigonometry, but I’ve never used any of the other math functions. For carpet I need length and width rounded up to nearest foot. For cabinets I need a fully dimensioned drawing. For outside dimensions I have a tape measure and probably 6 more in the vehicle. Tape measure is quicker than button pushing for math in the ldm.
Michael
I paid$40 and am very happy with it. I don’t need the bells and whistles.
Oleg K
I wonder: how come Fluke is so much more expensive than Bosch? In my experience Fluke is just a little more exact when it comes to distance, most of the time anyway but not enough to justify the difference in cost because, fluke or not, the smallest, pocket-frinedly models are never one’s best option, go figure…
Stuart
The Fluke 414D, with 165ft range and some built-in calculations is priced at $121, while the Bosch GLM 50C with 165ft range and some added functionality is $109. That’s not a very big price difference.
The Bosch GLM165-10 also has a 165ft range and is $69, but it’s less featured.
Generally, I’d consider Fluke to be more of a commercial and industrial brand, and as such, they don’t focus as much on price considerations as other brands. With something like the GLM 20, Bosch might be shipping promo pallets to stores for Father’s Day promo, and the quantity of the production run and sales volume could allow for such discounts. “Top of mind” aspects can also be built in. If the sale price on the GLM 20 convinces someone to try Bosch lasers, they might be satisfied with their experience and then look to Bosch when it’s time to buy a line laser level.
Oleg K
I guess I’m not up to date on my Fluke pricing, last time I shopped for such tool the difference between Bosch and Fluke was ~$130+. I really like Fluke and used a lot of their Networking tools over the years but their multimeters, laser tolls and evenvoltage detector were more expensive than the competition.
Again, I haven’t purchased any of their tools in a while because the Bosch I bought still works like new so take what I say with a grain of salt.