Anybody looking for a highly capable laser distance measurement unit?
Amazon has a deal right now on the Pacific Laser Systems PLS1 - on sale for $329 (the claimed list price is $595 - yeah, right), and two combinable special offers: $50 off anything over $300, and a 10% discount on any tool. Bottom line, the PLS1 can be had for about $250.
Mine arrived today, and it's really impressive. It claims accuracy of 1/8" out to 600' - I would've expected accuracy to degrade with distance, but I guess this is an example of "The speed of light - it's not just a good idea, it's the law!" :)
It's got a whole bunch of useful functions (like measuring height or distance from the side, using pythagorean functions), a very bright laser (I had no trouble seeing it at over 100' in daylight), and a 2X sighting scope for extreme distances.
I had previously bought the $40 Sears "long distance" laser-guided sonar distance-measuring widget (page 89 of the latest tool catalog), and it's the poster child for "If it seems to be too good to b true...". Pretty much useless for anything I tried to do with it - abysmal repeatability, totally confused by long, narrow halls, just a generally unpleasant experience. It's going back to Sears.
Obligatory disclaimer: I have no affiliation with Amazon or Pacific Laser Systems - I'm simply a tool freak with a really, really neat new toy.
- Dennis Brothers