Kobalt has just come out with a new laser distance measuring tool, KB50FT, which features a 50-foot range, inverted backlit display, top and bottom reference edges, and both SAE and metric measurement units. Its accuracy is ±1/8″.
There are two things about the new Kobalt laser distance measurer that surprise me: the inverted display, and the price.
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Update: The price has dropped from $29 to $20.
Inverted, negative, or reverse displays are in theory easier to read than regular displays under certain lighting conditions. A common complaint is that they can be harder to read in other conditions, which is probably where the backlighting comes into play. If perfectly executed, the new Kobalt laser distance measurer should be easy to read in any lighting conditions.
There’s also the $29 price, which is extremely low.
The Bosch GLM 15 is another 50 foot laser distance measuring tool, released at $50 and on sale during the past few holiday seasons for $30 to $35. In recent months, the GLM 20 with its 65 foot range replaced the GLM 15 at the $50 price point.
It doesn’t look like the Kobalt laser distance measuring tool will any smallest-in-class awards, but it looks pretty compact and pocketable to me. Lowes.com only gives a single dimension specification: a width of 1.73″.
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Its size allows for 2 buttons – one for on/off, and other for changing the units from inch to metric, and for changing the edge reference from the rear of the device to the front.
You’ll want the unit set to use the rear edge as a reference point much of the time, but there might be applications where you prefer to shift it to the front of the tool. You can’t do that with other compact and no-frills laser distance measuring tools, such as the aforementioned Bosch models.
The display shows you 2 measurements – the previous measurement, and the current measurement. This is common for laser distance measuring tools.
There’s an on-screen battery fuel gauge, and the device automatically turns off after 3 minutes if it’s not being used. One set of 2x AAA batteries can last for around 2,500 single measurements. Real-world battery life will likely be reduced with longer LCD use.
The manual (PDF) warns that difficult lighting or measurement conditions, such as use in bright sunlight or when measuring off of poorly reflecting or rough surfaces, will reduce the measurement range and accuracy. This should be true for all tools of this type.
The Kobalt laster distance measurer has a resolution of 1/16″, or 1 mm in metric mode, and 2″ is around the smallest distance it can measure.
Price: $29 $19
Buy Now(via Lowes)
See Also(Bosch GLM 20 via Amazon)
Compare(Bosch GLM 15 via Amazon)
First Thoughts
I am extremely hesitant of inexpensive instruments that cost significantly less than name-brand and usual-brand products, but the Kobalt name gives me a little more confidence. Besides, if it’s a flop, you should be able to tell right away, or at least early enough to be able to return it to Lowes.
Comparing it to the Bosch GLM 15, which Amazon’s product page says is being replaced by the GLM 20, the Kobalt laser distance measurer has a few extra features and a fancier display. The GLM 20 also has a backlight, but a usual positive display and higher price tag – $50 vs $29.
A 50 foot laser distance measurer is incredibly handy for indoors measurements, such as measuring room dimensions. It won’t replace your tape measure, but it’ll greatly complement it.
I can’t tell if this is being released by Lowes as a holiday season item, or as a permanent part of their Kobalt layout and measuring tools lineup.
Either way, if I didn’t already have a couple of Bosch lasers at different feature levels, I’d be on top of this in no time.
As of the time if this posting, the new Kobalt laser measurer isn’t available yet, but I expect that to change soon.
Joren
What does it mean with an accuracy of +/- 1/8″ (1/4″), but a resolution of 1/16″?
Stuart
Accuracy is usually at the full measurement range, but Kobalt doesn’t specify, so I left out such assumptions.
If that’s the case, a measurement of 50′ will in reality be between 49′ 7/8″ and 50′ 1/8″. There’s always going to be an uncertainty. The accuracy for any given measurement should be proportionate to the measurements distance.
The resolution is the smallest measurement unit. And so, you might get a reading of 10′ 3/32″ as 10′ 1/16″ or 10′ 2/16″ (1/8″).
They say “smallest measurement unit” or something to that effect, I renamed it aseems resolution.
fred
I am constantly surprised about how quickly new electronics-based tools advance and get improved – even at reduced price points. While it may not replace a more expensive instrument , at this sort of price point – if it proves to be any good – it starts to look like a great stocking-stuffer.
The use of the front of the tool as a reference is handy to have – and might be almost as good as the flip-out extension at the rear on my Disto that automatically resets the instrument for measuring diagonals for square – but the +-1/8 inch might mean you want to bring a tape out for precise work.
Pete
I used my bosch glm 15 to measure some trim work checked of course by my tape measure and it was dead on money every time. The bosch unit does say that its not ment to be used in direct sunlight. Not exactly sure what that means or if that reduces the accuracy i asked that question a couple months ago on here and never got an answer. Maybe i’ll ask on garage journal.
Stuart
The laser might not be strong enough, or the sensor sensitive enough, to properly pick up the laser signal when it has to compete with sunlight intensity.
The way I see it, the signal to noise goes way down in bright sunlight.
Short distances should be okay, but it would get worse with longer ranges. That might be why a brand would recommend against using a laser distance measurer in direct sunlight – because it’s easier to say “don’t use this in direct sunlight” than to give guidelines or sunlight-adjusted specs..
Sorry, it seems like I missed your question the first time around!
Stuart
The laser might not be strong enough, or the sensor sensitive enough, to properly pick up the laser signal when it has to compete with sunlight intensity.
The way I see it, the signal to noise goes way down in bright sunlight.
Short distances should be okay, but it would get worse with longer ranges. That might be why a brand would recommend against using a laser distance measurer in direct sunlight – because it’s easier to say “don’t use this in direct sunlight” than to give guidelines or sunlight-adjusted specs.
Sorry, it seems like I missed your question the first time around!
fred
The other issue in bright sunlight is my old eye’s inability to see the laser dot. So if I’m pointing a bit off – my measurement will be off too. My first instrument was sighted in like my old Leica M4 camera – using a optical rangefinder. My new 810 model is better – you fix cross hairs on the display to zero in on the point to which you want to measure. The other thing that’s good with the newer instrument is that if your pointing is not level the instrument realizes that you are measuring the hypotenuse and can do the math for you to solve for the horizontal triangle leg – this kind of helps outside when you need to shoot over foundation plantings. They’re still not up to being a total station but they’re getting closer. Top-of-the line instruments (mine is not it) now have even more powerful lasers to deal with sunlight and can compensate for 360 degrees misalignment. But this Kobalt looks to be way better than what was available a few years ago – and at 1/30 the cost of what I paid for the D810 – as I said above it is on my list as a stocking stuffer.
Jay
My Bosch GLM 15 chewed through batteries like Grant marched through Richmond so I quit using it. Might give this one go when it shows up on Amazon.
Nathan
I’m always intrigued by the accuracy claims of these devices – and I bet it’s related more to temperature of the environment and device than anything else.
as it should be much tigher than 1/8″. But then plastic thermal expansion etc, etc. adds up quick.
we tested the bosch ones – per our usual measuring tapes with on a flat wall – and they seemed to hit well under 1/8, more like 1/32 or so even the cheaper General tool device did the same. distances between 10ft and 25 ft. so at 50 I think it’s fairly impressive.
again indoors very useful and easy. for 20 dollars I’d buy one.
KL
I bought the Ryobi Tek4 on clearance and it’s been very useful at times. I didn’t realize that the ability to toggle front or rear of tool wasn’t standard on all of these. The Tek4 is nice as I never have to buy batteries. Maybe there should be an M12 model…..
Jason
I have an idea of how an M12 LDM would look but I would worry about the accuracy relying on a battery base. Also an M12 version would have to be larger its just the nature of the beast the pack is bigger than AA batteries. Milwaukee has the M4 platform but that’s just for the little screwdriver they sell. It wouldn’t be a bad platform for diagnostic tools though M12 is overkill for most of them.
Stuart
These things run off of common AAA’s. Forcing the use of M12 batteries would be impractical, and would add substantially to the size of a laser measurer, not to mention the cost, weight, and ergonomics.
Jason
Same here Stuart I just don’t see away that a company can make a good LDM with a 12v pack slide or stem pack.
John
Maybe not the M12 but what about the completely underutilized M4 or the Makita 7.2 volt. I wish they’d both put more in those two mini lines.
fred
I’ve never had a problem with my Disto’s battery running low – and while the manual says it takes 4 hours to fully charge – I’ve usually found it charges faster – unless I’ve been taking a batch of pictures or screenshots – or have it on for extended periods communicating with my iPhone or computer. I guess for heavy users – it would have been nice if you could just pop in a fresh battery – like you do with a camera
RR
can’t figure out how to use the damn thing!! The manual (if you want to call it that, is totally useless).
Jack
Just got a Kobalt KB50FT, took it to work next day about a thirty minute drive. Temperatures was about freezing but only until truck warmed up. Worked fine until it was exposed to the cold and never worked again. Keeps displaying a 301 code which says its too or hot or too cold. Six hours later in a controlled environment and still don’t work.
Matt
Error “info 401” on my kb50ft after a couple months of use. No info on the code anywhere and laser no longer works
nicholas weeks
having same issue cant find any source to fix the issue
Jared Goletto
Same problem 401 error
I think that means the error was me buying the damn thing
Rob
Mine started the info 301 (hold down the power button and it says 301 then 401, hardware malfunction) at about 8 month after purchase. Buyer beware, keep your receipt.