Bosch PLR 15 Digital Laser Measure (measuring up to 15 metres)

This is a very small and compact unit it is so versatile and handy. I have been using the item for over six months now and never had a single problem very occasionally you do have to measure twice as perhaps the laser hasn’t quite hit the destination mark. That’s nothing out of the ordinary.One really great feature of laser measures is that you can fire the beam really tight corners which are obstructed and could be difficult with a measuring tape if not impossible.If you have being used to using measuring tapes this will totally change the way you measure anything for the better.The range is superb of had it working over 10 m.Being so small it can be easily placed into your pocket or bag and taken with you wherever you need to such as on-site , on jobs or just round the home.The slider function which turns the unit on has a little red button underneath it which locks in the current measurement and you can also see the previous measurement.This can be handy if you are taking multiple readings however a larger history would be useful.I also have a professional Leica unit which is much larger and more accurate and also cost over £300 so this unit is really comparable to the accuracy and for the price really can’t be beaten.I would say go ahead and buy this as it is really affordable and of great robust quality that is far superior than some of the grey Chinese imports.

I've had mixed experiences with laser rangefinder measuring devices in the past but this one is great, it will only work up to its specified range, beyond that it gives no reading at all. I was impressed by the accuracy over short distances (200 - 1000 mm). The hold facility is certainly useful, the LCD display does not have a particularly wide viewing angle so being able to hold a reading is very useful for those awkward places. I have not experienced any problems with the on off switch yet, despite being used in a dusty environment. It is so much easier than a tape measure when measuring distances over a couple of metres. The datum point for measuring is the base below the switch, in other words it includes the length of the device in its measurements, and as far as I know that is the only way it works. Battery life seems good I used it extensively to fit a kitchen and am still on the original batteries. I'm not too sure that rechargeables would be a good thing for this device as it has low current demands and is not permanently on. It would be nice if it had some sort of level incorporated into it, either a simple bubble on the side and top or even a full blown pendulum level, like many laser levels. It would of course make it somewhat larger which could be a disadvantage in some situations. So far it seems quite unaffected by what sort of surface you point it at, my guess would be that it will struggle with highly textured surfaces like Artex or rough cast cement finishes, if I get a chance I will update this when I have tried that scenario

This item feels solid and well built. It's very easy to use and appears to very accurate - it also has one major advantage over a tape - you can easily use it on your own even over large areas. The rubber grip at the opposite end of the laser makes for a sound surface to plant and get an accurate measure.The on switch is positive, and hold button allows you to have two measurements on screen which is useful for an average or taking a couple of dimensions. There are cautionary notes about accuracy for shiny or reflective surfaces, so you can't afford to leave your conventional tape at home. That said, a bit of masking tape put over a shiny surface would probably work and be close enough in most cases or an emergency.Bosch say not to get the laser or optics scratched, but provide no case in the package, which I find to be a major oversight. Dropping is also not advised and there is a cord fixing, but again no cord. For these two reasons I've given it 4 and not 5 stars. The display screen also looks like it would scratch easily, though that's just cosmetic of course.All-in-all this provides an easy way to measure longer distances with good accuracy and not carry around a bulky tape measure, but it really should have come with case IMHO.One last point is that Bosch decided to package it in that awful tough plastic with the heat sealed edges that's really hard to get into. If anyone at Bosch reads this, please just use a smaller cardboard box. Thanks.

I almost bought this in B&Q at full price, but saner heads prevailed and I went home to look for online bargains. Two days later, it popped up on Amazon's Lightning Deals at £25.It is simple to use and accurate up to it's stated range (15m) - I took a bunch of measurements from 300mm to 14.8m, (each one several times to check to consistency) and re-checked with tape measures (sad, i know). It's soooo easy, and the ability to store and display your previous reading with your current one is invaluable.It is fairly robust, but clearly not built to take a lot of rough handling but, if you can't look after your tools, you deserve to be let down. For the rest of us who treat their tools with a bit of respect, this should last a good long time. A belt pouch would've been a welcome inclusion though.Plus, if you get bored you can also use it to play with the cat.