Ryobi has come out with a new compact cordless tape measure, featuring 25′ max range and extremely long runtime.
Sorry for teasing, but yes – Ryobi is coming out with a 25′ traditionally designed tape measure. There’s no battery, no laser, no Bluetooth connectivity, it’s just a new tape measure by a brand that typically focused in electric and cordless power tools.
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It’s unexpected, but… okay.
Maybe it’s like their LED flashlight that was released during the last winter holiday season, which I spotted in large floor displays. I haven’t seen Ryobi flashlights at any of the Home Depot stores I’ve been to lately. The single flashlight isn’t listed on Home Depot’s website, and the 2-pack is listed as discontinued.
It features 7ft max standout, fractional markings, a nylon-coated blade, reinforced rubber overmolding, and a wireform belt clip.
Price: $8.97
Buy Now(Coming soon to Home Depot)
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First Thoughts
I don’t know, the blade markings look a little cluttered to me. The redundant-seeming “XFY” do denote x-feet and y-inches markings are larger than on Empire Level’s new budget tape measures. Although, it doesn’t look as cluttered as Craftsman’s Sidewinder tape measure.
Why is Ryobi coming out with tape measures all of a sudden? My guess is that TTI expanded operations of the factory they bought, and there’s now enough capacity to support Milwaukee, Empire, and Ryobi tape measures.
Oh, and this new Ryobi tape features a “blade lock [that] holds [the] blade in place.” That’s in the actual description.
The markings and description suggest that Ryobi is going after beginners.
What I’m wondering is whether the Ryobi tape measure offers anything over competing models. This 25′ tape is priced at $9. You can currently order a Stanley PowerLock 25′ tape measure for just $10 on Amazon, and it’s around the same at retail stores.
For $1 less, does this Ryobi tape offer comparable performance? Or perhaps it offers something better, such as greater durability or a better lock?
I’ll likely stick with Stanley PowerLock as my typical 25′ budget tape. From what I can see in the Ryobi product images, I like the PowerLock’s markings a LOT better.
When I need to take x-foot and y-inches measurement, I take the foot measurement from before or after the measurement – which requires a glance of no more than 6 inches away – and then I read off the inch marking.
But, I’ll give the Ryobi the benefit of the doubt. Its geometry could make it more comfortable in-hand. Its lock button rides higher and also looks to have an easier finger-registration.
Okay, despite my hesitations, I’m feeling more open-minded.
Is this a one-time launch, or is Ryobi really looking to get into the hand tool business?
fred
In the heyday of the American automobile industry, the automakers felt compelled to have many different brands. At one time this may have been to offer real choice. But the feeling was that the more you offered the more you were likely to sell. Along they way – you may have hoped to build brand loyalty too.
So maybe TTI thinks that they will sell more tape measures if they have 3 brand names on them – compared to only offering the Milwaukee name. This would also capitalize on brand recognition/loyalty for the 3 brands.
I believe that Emerson already makes (or more likely buys from some OEM) tape measures under the RIDGID brand – so I guess TTI will not be adding that brand.
Bolt
Unrelated but it looks like ryobi is coming out with a 18v pin nailer
Jonathan
Cool beans, I own the crown stapler and 18 ga trimmer nailer the pin nailer will allow me to sell my pancake compressor.
Have to say that I imagine this will be in the $109 price range or less.
To bad the tape measue not brushless, I would be in for one 😉
Cool to hear about the pin nailer
fred
I was hoping for Bluetooth connectivity to my iPhone to text me the measurement.
m edwards
Hey Fred what do you see as the advantages of having your tapemeasure text dimensions via bluetooth to your phone (versus, say just reading the tape itself?).
Not sure why I’d want my tape spamming me with texts every time I measure a board…?
David R Zeller
Actually, I imagine it is brushless!
David
E. Baker
Source for this information? I have all their other one+ nailers and have been patiently waiting for this!
Stuart
There are product manuals on Ryobi’s site, but no verifiable source I’ve seen yet. Some social media mentions, but that’s it.
glenn
Its on Ryobi Canada’s web site. looks neat.
http://www.ryobitools.ca/products/details/891
fred
It may still be vaporware, but ToolCraze – another tool blog – has been talking about it.
https://toolcraze.net/
David R Zeller
Ooh! Ooh! Where did you find this info?
RC Ward
7 foot run out? That’s a no go
fred
I agree with you but I suspect that you and I are not the market for this tape.
7 foot stand out is typical for this width blade. The Stanley tape that Stuart compares it to is also 7 foot. Stuart said they he thought “that Ryobi is going after beginners. ” That market might not know what standout is and might not want a wider-blade heavier tape.
To my way of thinking, this would not be my choice for taking to a store. A smaller lighter tape usually suffices for this task. It would also not be my choice as a “apron” tape for use in the shop. For that I prefer a shorter metric/inch combination tape. And – for a 25 foot tape – as you say, a wider, stiffer, longer standout tape would be much better.
John S
Well at least you’ll be less likely to loose it (or have it snatched up from ya) with its puke neon green color 🙂
fred
Over the years I’ve noticed all manner of tools with neon green or some other day-glow color (orange, yellow, magenta etc.) applied by their owners. That may prevent theft – or help you locate a tool dropped in the weeds. But I’m not sure anything really works. Its sad how many light-fingered Louies seem to “work” in the environs of tools that get laid down. I’ve often quipped that small tool theft can be blamed on the poor quality of today’s steel – that seems to evaporate into thin air. Alternatively missing tools may be proof of the existence of parallel universes – their disappearance being attributed to being laid down near worm holes that transport them to an alternate reality.
Tim
Does the world really need more tape measures?
Or does anyone really care about them anymore?
Noone has yet to really flip the market upside down.
Patrick H
More choices are generally a good thing.
Peter Hammond
I like an old fashioned tape measure with simple markings. All that clutter annoys me on a tape. Klein makes a simple heavy duty one I really like.
glenn
Not interested in this tape measure at all, happy enough with the Milwaukee and Stanley Fatmax tapes I already use, but Ryobi do have a laser measurer available in Australia/NZ. We have one and its pretty good.
http://www.ryobi.com.au/products/details/laser-distance-measurer
Koko the Talking Ape
I think of it almost as a fashion accessory. Soon they will come out with handkerchiefs, baseball hats and t-shirts, all in Ryobi green.
BigDan
Just following golf’s lead! Matching bag, hat, towel. Balls, etc.
If a tape is a tape is a tape to you then why not grab a matching one to the tool you are buying. It resolves the ocd conflict people like my cousin have who’s garage is all red and black craftsman. My garage is a rainbow because I buy the best reviwed in each category.
KL
I too hate the clutter. I recently purchased a Komelon with fractional markings and am surprised how much I hate it. Give me crisp lines in 1/16ths and nothing more. If you can’t visually split a 1/16th to guesstimate a 32nd you shouldn’t be using a tape. Ditto if you don’t know the 1/16th increments.