Back in April, Bosch announced a new line of red and green laser distance measuring tools, similar to the European models that came out a few months earlier.
All of the new Bosch laser distance measuring tools are said to have an “accuracy deviation” issue.
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Bosch says:
Tools with date codes prior to and including 03/2021 have an accuracy deviation from the standard measuring accuracy on the stakeout functionality as described in the chart above; all tools with date codes of 04/2021 and after do not have the stakeout functionality accuracy deviation and will have the standard measuring accuracy of +/- 1/16” (+/-1.5 mm) on the stakeout functionality.
Bosch will provide a free exchange on tools with the stakeout functionality accuracy deviation for a tool that does not have the stakeout functionality accuracy deviation – please contact Bosch customer service, 1-877-BOSCH99 (1-877-267-2499), for information on how to redeem this exchange offer on eligible tools.
Basically, the lasers’ measurement accuracy is said to be ± 1/16″, and the stakeout accuracy ±1/2″ on affected units.
Is ±1/2″ stakeout accuracy a big deal? Yes if you intend to use that feature, no if you don’t. But if you’re buying a more premium laser distance measuring tool, chances are that you want to use as many of its functions to their full advantage as possible.
On 5/2/21, I asked Bosch USA:
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On your website it mentions accuracy deviations that affect products with 3/2021 and earlier date codes. Does this affect any USA models headed to stores?
I asked again on 5/25/21, but never received clarification about this.
So, we’re now left to assume that the answer is YES.
I try to avoid buying products that have to be repaired or exchanged right out of the box, and would avoid buying any of the affected Bosch laser distance measuring tools unless I knew I would be getting an unaffected tool built in April 2021 or later. Even if this was a function I wouldn’t use right away, what if I wanted to use it some day?
Affected Models
This “deviation” looks to affect ALL of the new Bosch laser distance measuring tools, red and green.
Bosch GLM165-22
Bosch GLM165-25G
Bosch GLM165-27C
Bosch GLM165-27CG
Bosch GLM165-27CGL
What This Means
Frankly, this isn’t a big deal – it’s not uncommon for subtle issues or minor defects to make their way into newly launched products.
I’m surprised that Bosch USA didn’t recall the shipments from retailers, or at least I’m assuming they haven’t. If they had, then they would have said as much a month ago when I first asked about this accuracy issue.
If you’re interested in these new lasers and don’t want to go through the hassle of buying one only to have to exchange it right away, give it a couple of months until newly produced and fixed units hit retailers.
Jason
The biggest tool that I remember not having an official recall was the Dewalt 12v sub surface scanner. The crazy thing was a certain tool review site game it a tool of the year award.
Stuart
I never saw it in person, but the user reviews on that one were absolutely terrible.
In this case, I’m assuming the problem is very simple – maybe a minor programming error of some kind.
These things happen, but usually brands will pull products from shelves and then ship out the revision.
In this case, I assumed that the affected products didn’t ship to USA retailers since the tools were just in the process of launching, but if that’s the case, they would have said something. So are they just trying to sell through the affected product hoping that few customers are affected by the accuracy deviation?
Jared
Good grief I hope not. Pretty irritating if they ignore the issue.
Yet – doesn’t that sound like what’s going on?
If they know about the problem but require someone to buy the product to make the exchange (as opposed to pulling them from stores), the only reason to do that is because some customers won’t notice and ask for the exchange.
Most likely there’s a time limit too – perhaps the warranty period?
Stuart
They’re not ignoring it, and they do mention it proactively on their website.
There’s a chance this doesn’t affect too many products, but I would assume they wouldn’t have avoided the question and have said so if that was the case.
Pete M.
Unfortunately they following a shady selling approach. Even though Bosch knows about the issue they continue to ship “bad” units to Home Depot and Lowes. Most likely they hope people will buy them and only a few will bother to sent them back to Bosch for a replacement.
This practice is at least unethical.
Jim Felt
My experience with Bosch USA regards warranty and service has been excellent over maybe the past 15+ years. Their tool rollouts on the other hand…
MichaelHammer
Hey Stuart, do you have a laser measuring tool review or comparison in the works? I would love to read your opinion on at least one of these models.
Fazal Majid
I go with Leica Disto. They invented the laser distance meter and are the gold standard. A green laser is a nice feature for bright outdoors conditions, though.
MichaelHammer
Thanks Fazal, I’ll check it out.
Hollin
Got the first one off the rack at my depot about a week ago. It has a 01/2021 production date, this definitely hasn’t been handled at the store level, same two are sitting on the shelf as we’re there before this was announced.
Not sure how much I care personally, I have only used stakeout in a few random situations, but obviously I’d love a tool that wasn’t broken out of the box.
Old as dirt
I contacted Bosch about the inaccuracy and was told I have to contact the vendor and go thru them. Calling Bosch is worthless. I think it is runaround time.
Old as Dirt
Nice company Bosch sell inaccurate product . Since I think I going to get runaround maybe time to dump Bosch.
Old as Dirt
Nice company Bosch sell inaccurate product maybe time to dump Bosch.
Pete M.
Got a GLM165-27CG from a big box store. Unfortunately the date was Feb 2021. Contacted Bosch and in zero time they opened a case and sent me shipping labels to sent them the tool for replacement. After I shipped the laser measure to Bosch, they sent me an email stating they have NONE in stock and they expect the new batch in a month. Still waiting to sent me a replacement.
I wish they had told me they had none in stock before I sent them the tool. I would had return it to where I bought it for a full refund. People usually buy tool to use them.
Bob
The stake out function seems broken by design in my opinion. On the 50C model at least, you can only specify the interval in feet to two decimals. Try doing 16″ studs with that and you’ll be off by 1″ at 25′ simply because of the obvious rounding issue (1.333333333…’)
MorePower
I just received mine from Amazon and the date code on the back is 03/21. Today is 04/02/22. They are still sending out the defective units but they placed a sticker on the front of the box so it seems like a feature of the 1/2″ accuracy deviation. Unbelievable. Returning back to Amazon.
John G
I just got a Bosch GLM165-27CG date code 04/2022. I am having problems connecting via bluetooth to my iphone and ipad. Has anyone else had this problem?
Frustrated Guy
There is still old versions around in Canada. I ordered from Amazon.ca and got date code 03/21, returned it. Went to 3 different Canadian tire stores and all have the same 03/21 date code in stock. I give up