Dewalt has launched a couple of laser distance measurers recently. I posted about their $50 DW065E 65′ laser distance measurer a few months ago, and perhaps I will post about their new Bluetooth-enabled 100′ model, DW099S, later this week.
But today, I wanted to talk about this cute little guy, a new 30 foot Pocket laser distance measurer, DW030PL.
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The DW030PL is Dewalt’s first pocket-sized laser distance measuring tool that features a rechargeable Li-ion battery. It has a one-button operation, and is accurate to within 1/4″ at 30 feet.
It’s recharged via USB.
- 30′ range
- Measures 2.5″ L x 1.25″ W x 0.75″ H
- Over-molded case
- Built-in battery pack
- Battery fuel gauge (in the display)
- Charges via USB charging cable (included)
It also comes with a wrist strap.
MSRP: $19.99
Buy Now(via Acme Tool)
Buy Now(via Tool Nut)
Both of the retailers I checked have higher-than-MSRP prices. Maybe they’ll come down as the product launch nears.
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First Thoughts
This looks like a very nice compact and simple laser distance measuring tool. It could be more accurate, but there are plenty of more accurate laser distance measuring tools for users prepared to spend more. But there aren’t a lot of brand-name laser distance measuring tools at this price.
The new Dewalt laser distance measurer faces competition from Kobalt’s 50′ laser measurer that went on sale for $20, and from the Bosch GLM 10 35′ laser measurer, whose price has dipped below $30 on Amazon.
I mentioned that I am working on “New DIYer” tool kit and giveaway tool kits. If this new Dewalt pocketable laser distance measuring tool was available right now, I’d buy 4 of them. I had been planning to buy the Bosch GLM 10, or a GLM 15’s if I can find them, but this new Dewalt no-frills model seems like a more appealing choice.
Why 4? 3 for the giveaway and 1 for my own use.
I don’t know if I’m a fan of the built-in rechargeable battery that recharges via USB. On one hand, that could be convenient. On the other, I like the ability to swap batteries with readily available AAA cells. But I suppose a rechargeable pack is a lot better than a coin cell, or a pricey proprietary removable pack. Plus, USB charging is good.
So I guess that’s an okay tradeoff. I’m guessing that the absence of AAA batteries and inclusion of a rechargeable Li-ion cell also contributes to its small size.
The display in the product image above shows units in meters. What I’m wondering, and hoping, is that there is the option to select between different unit options, such as inches, feet and inches, or metric as shown.
fred
Way at the other end of the spectrum form the Leica Disto D810 that I use – but wow these are getting inexpensive!
Caveat Emptor – I see that it seems to be selling for more than MSRP – 20% more at Acme and 35% more at Tool Nut
But Lowes says theirs is now at a new low price – only 25% higher than its real low price when it was on sale.
fred
BTW you said:
“Why 4? 3 for the giveaway and 1 for my own use.”
I can see this for someone who’s OK with not too-precise measurements for rough estimates. But when would you use this instrument if you already owned a more capable one?
Stuart
Every now and then my wife could use a laser, or I misplace my Bosch GLM 15 test sample and want to reach for something small and compact.
Most of the things I use laser distance measurers for don’t need better than 1/4″ accuracy over 30 feet.
Sure, 1/8″ over 50 feet or longer is great. But it’s more than is most often required.
Plus, the act of giving something away makes me very interested in testing the tool out myself.
fred
Thanks
My stocking-stuffer targets will likely us it to aid in buying furniture, paint, wallpaper and the like – not precisely measuring for a countertop install.
I also agree that the extra accuracy (mine is quoted at 1/16 of an inch) is not something I rely on much at all. Lately I’ve been using it mostly to help my wife with landscaping and precision in placing a bush within a 1/6th of an inch or estimating how many yards of mulch is needed, is hardly necessary. Even in doing a countertop – its good to accurately measure – but then use a physical template to do the actual cutting/fabrication.
Brien
DEWALT needs an 8V LDM.
Anton
I don’t understand the intended use for these. The 30′ length is too short for outdoors stuff and the 1/4″ accuracy makes it useless for indoor stuff unless its just to estimate. The Kobalt is at least 1/8 and 50ft at $25 now. It would be super convenient for furniture shopping but that seems to be about it.
I jumped on a GLM10 on prime day for $17 and I’m kinda disappointed. It doesen’t change from back of unit to front which is a rarely used feature anyways. But the units also only go feet/inches and metric. No inch only mode. The 1/8″ accuracy doesen’t help either. I knew most of this buying it so I have no one to blame but myself and ill probably still use it for a while.
I think the GLM35 is really the bare minimum for a variety of uses. 1/16 accuracy and 120ft max makes it usable for laying out most of our yards and precise enough to make cuts based just that info.
John S
These also have “too much displayed accuracy” problems. On my GLM 50 C and there is no way to change or reduce the measuring units on the display to the nearest 1/8″ instead of the nearest 1/32″.
I mean sure its great that mine does it to 1/32”, but in real practice who measures to 1/32” on a tape/laser measure then having to convert that back to 1/8” or 1/16” its pretty darn annoying. Or even worse on other units being in decimal notation. Surely they should have added an option to switch indication units.
Luis Soria
Thats why I use metric. 🙂
Anton
I hate a similar issue about Excel too. When you format it to show to 16ths, it will give every size in 16 ths without rounding down. For example 8/16″. It confuses the hell out of supplier if I don’t remember to simplify it.
Brandon
Maybe someone can tell me if I’m missing something regarding these laser measurers. It seems to me that the would only be able to make inside measurements, so I’d have to carry a tape, too. Therefore, I don’t see it being worth carrying 2 tools when one (the tape) can do the job. The main advantage I can see is for measurements longer than the standard 25 ft tape, but you’d still have to have someone holding a clipboard or something to shoot the laser off of.
Chad Brink
I measure a lot of interiors and use a laser about 75% of the time and a tape the rest. As you say… outside dimensions require someone holding a clip board or a tape measure. Lasers are great for overall dimensions and ceiling heights. On the Hilti I have it displays the last four measurements which is nice so you can take a few then stop and write them down but not necessarily each time.
fred
The more capable ones can do a lot more. Things like measuring the size of upper story windows or the size of a chimney are easy with mine. I can measure from a fenceline to the back of a building – shooting at an angle over bushes – and the instrument does the math for me – calculating the horizontal leg of the triangle – while I actually shot the hypotenuse. I can look at the side of a building and the instrument will calculate its area. I can store 30 pictures of what I shot, and send everything via Bluetooth. I measured an octagonal gazebo – and it calculated the floor size from the 8 triangles. I can measure a wall and have it subtract out the windows and doors. Mounted on a tripod it doesn’t need a reflective target to measure the height of a tree or electrical line. The only issue – is I paid a lot more than $25 for its features.
Michael Tuttle
Theyll do inside to outside if you start at the outside. It measures from the back of the laser so just line it up with your outside corner. Your right about outside to outside tho. But overall when it comes to something like crown molding double and triple pop ups in the ceiling itll save u many trips up and down a ladder.
Richard G.
I think this Dewalt is cool just to have one and to take it with you anytime furniture shopping.
Have you guys seen the new bilateral laser tape coming out this year? This one looks promising.
https://www.ireviews.com/review/vh-80-bilateral-laser
glenn
We use a mid range laser measurer for quoting air conditioner installs, way quicker than using a tape measure.
Geoff
This model is has recently become available is Australia. It has four measuring unit options – 3 imperial and the one metric one pictured.
glenn
I just got one today, it does indeed have metric and imperial modes. It is also tiny, around 62mm x32 mm x17 mm.
The switch button pressed once turns it on, press again and it measures. Hold down for 3 seconds at a time, it cycles through imperial modes back to metric. Hold down for 5 seconds and it turns off or alternatively it has auto off after around 30 seconds.
Only issue for me is that the screen is a little on the small side, with the recharging indicator a little hard to see, (old failing eyesight lol), but the measurement digits are still clearly legible.