Sketch My Roof

Tags - Popular | FAQ  

PrevPrev Go to previous topic
NextNext Go to next topic
Last Post 04/19/2013 11:58 AM by  Jud G.
Useless Equipment
 45 Replies
Sort:
You are not authorized to post a reply.
Page 2 of 3 << < 123 > >>
Author Messages
Olegred
Member
Member
Posts:363


--
08/07/2010 4:01 PM
why would you buy disto if you can get laser Bosch for 70 dollars?
0
Ray Hall
Senior Member
Senior Member
Posts:2443


--
08/07/2010 7:02 PM
Hey Olegred you got my attention. Is the Bosch AS good as the Fat Max lazer ?
0
Olegred
Member
Member
Posts:363


--
08/08/2010 11:07 PM
Ray, I used both and did not notice any difference. I like bosch, you can buy a new one for 70 bucks on ebay.
0
Olegred
Member
Member
Posts:363


--
08/08/2010 11:09 PM
oh, by the way i meant disto, I am not familiar with Fatmax laser tools, I believe they have a laser level or something....
0
CatAdjusterX
Veteran Member
Veteran Member
Posts:964


--
08/09/2010 3:47 PM
Posted By Olegred on 08 Aug 2010 11:09 PM
oh, by the way i meant disto, I am not familiar with Fatmax laser tools, I believe they have a laser level or something....
Stanley FatMax tape measurers and tools, have a Fatmax laser tape for around 100.00, I have had no issues in 2 yrs

"A good leader leads..... ..... but a great leader is followed !!" CatAdjusterX@gmail.com
0
RMartin
Guest
Guest
Posts:4


--
08/10/2010 8:26 PM
I disagree with the wheel, once I tried to measure a wood fence with a tape. ONCE. I do use the wheel for roof inspections, it's a time saver, and it's not inaccurate enough to worry about, I've never had a problem.
0
Ray Hall
Senior Member
Senior Member
Posts:2443


--
08/11/2010 1:10 AM
I agree with Martin, the wheel does not have to be hooked like a tape and it does not blow around.
0
RJortberg
Member
Member
Posts:147


--
08/13/2010 9:52 AM
I like the Disto so much better than the Fat Max for a number of reasons...
1) the Disto is much much faster in terms of getting results. The Fat Max requires you to hit the send button a few times to get a result. I was getting tired of getting error messages with the Fat Max.
2) The Disto also retains several distances in memory, so you can write these distances down at a single time, rather than stopping to write down each measurement before the measurement is cleared from memory.
3) the Disto works for longer distances. Because it has a video camera built in, you can zoom in to see just where the the red dot is aimed. Otherwise, the dot is often very hard to see. If you are working outside, the Fat Max is very difficult to use at any distance. I think the Disto goes up to 600 feet.
4) the Disto allows you to aim over certain things (think of numerous boxes of stuff), and it will apply the pythagorean theorem to calculate the distance of the straight line that you can not sight.
5) If you work on commercial buildings, you can use the Disto indirectly with a tripod to calculate the entire length of a building wall. I just finished working on a former Walmart building, and I used the Disto with its video function to aim at three points, and Disto came up with the wall length. Can you imagine the time saved not having to drag a tape over a 120,000 square foot building?

Bottom line, there is no comparison. This is the single best item I have acquired for measurement purposes, and I only wished I had bought one 20 years ago. Make sure to keep a light weight tripod if you are going to be doing large measurements.
0
ddreisbach
Member
Member
Posts:172


--
08/13/2010 11:12 AM
RJortberg:

For 5 times the money I would sincerely hope the Disto to be MUCH more capable than the FatMax.  If an adjuster needs the add'l features and capabilites of the Disto they should buy it.  However, 
for the average roof thumper the $100 FatMax does 98% of what the $500 Disto does.  To address your comparison: 
 
1) the Disto is much much faster in terms of getting results. The Fat Max requires you to hit the send button a few times to get a result. I was getting tired of getting error messages with the Fat Max.  I haven't had that problem.  I push the button - I get a measurement.  If I get an error message it's outdoors, long distance, and/or bright sunlight.
2) The Disto also retains several distances in memory, so you can write these distances down at a single time, rather than stopping to write down each measurement before the measurement is cleared from memory.  That would be handy.  I normally shoot the length and width of a room and write them down as I move to an offset or the closet.  I can remember a couple measurements.
3) the Disto works for longer distances. Because it has a video camera built in, you can zoom in to see just where the the red dot is aimed. Otherwise, the dot is often very hard to see. If you are working outside, the Fat Max is very difficult to use at any distance. I think the Disto goes up to 600 feet.  FatMax claims a 100' range.  Obviously, that's plenty for residential room measurements.  Outdoors I've measured up to 150' fence runs by standing in the middle of the yard and shooting both ways.  The FatMax adds the two measurements.  That's plenty of range for most residential fences.  However, it won't see the dot in bright sunlight at 75'.  You need a shady spot to aim at. 
4) the Disto allows you to aim over certain things (think of numerous boxes of stuff), and it will apply the pythagorean theorem to calculate the distance of the straight line that you can not sight.  Cool!  But I can't recall ever needing that function.
5) If you work on commercial buildings...  Not applicable to the average roof thumper.
 
In summary, if you're working large buildings or you've got an extra $400 to buy the best, get a Disto.  Otherwise a FatMax will beat a tape measure hands down.
0
ChuckDeaton
Life Member
Senior Member
Senior Member
Posts:1110


--
08/14/2010 12:01 AM
I paid 2g USD for the first Disto I owned and made enough extra money to pay for it in a week. I was working flood. Whether it is a Disto, a FatMax or a Bosch a laser is the ticket for making money.
"Prattling on and on about being an ass with experience doesn't make someone experienced. It just makes you an ass." Rod Buvens, Pilot grunt
0
Olegred
Member
Member
Posts:363


--
08/30/2010 5:18 PM
Posted By ChuckDeaton on 14 Aug 2010 12:01 AM
I paid 2g USD for the first Disto I owned and made enough extra money to pay for it in a week. I was working flood. Whether it is a Disto, a FatMax or a Bosch a laser is the ticket for making money.

 

you worked 2 weeks to pay for a gadget? wow, what a dedication

0
Jud G.
Advanced Member
Advanced Member
Posts:509


--
08/31/2010 11:23 AM

Those gadgets used to cost several grand when they first came out.

0
ChuckDeaton
Life Member
Senior Member
Senior Member
Posts:1110


--
08/31/2010 11:41 AM
Extra money in a week, the job lasted several month and now it has been years, best money maker I ever invested in.
"Prattling on and on about being an ass with experience doesn't make someone experienced. It just makes you an ass." Rod Buvens, Pilot grunt
0
Olegred
Member
Member
Posts:363


--
08/31/2010 4:26 PM

what kind of a job lasts months? :)

0
ChuckDeaton
Life Member
Senior Member
Senior Member
Posts:1110


--
08/31/2010 4:30 PM
What kind of job lasts years, I am still working on Hurricane Katrina claims.
"Prattling on and on about being an ass with experience doesn't make someone experienced. It just makes you an ass." Rod Buvens, Pilot grunt
0
Olegred
Member
Member
Posts:363


--
08/31/2010 8:59 PM
Seriously? Like, what kind of a claim can last that long?
0
K ung Fu tzu
Member
Member
Posts:76


--
08/31/2010 9:57 PM
The bigget waste of money was buying the cheap Coleman camping gear at Walmart when my son joined the BoyScouts. Not to belittle Coleman because they actually do sell real camping gear, just not at Walmart.

A few nights freezing in the woods and a thousand bucks later buying real equipment and I'm a much happier scout. I also have a garage full of "camping gear" for my next yard sale.
0
Tim Wieneke
Member
Member
Posts:92


--
02/19/2011 6:33 PM

My 3 (yeah, I bought 3) surefire flashlights.  Sure they turned the inside of a dark attic brighter than the surface of the sun....for about 20 minutes.  I now carry an LED flashlight and a car recharging spotlight.

0
okclarryd
Veteran Member
Veteran Member
Posts:954


--
10/28/2012 8:53 PM
Useless to me.................

I have about 20 Allstate Cat Team shirts that I need to sell. Yeah, I know, I need to have an ad but I'm cheap and I don't want to pay $10 for an ad

These shirts will go for $5 ea plus actual shipping costs, USPS. They are all XL. There are several different styles of pull-over and several button-up.

405-570-7590 Cell
Larry D Hardin
0
HuskerCat
Veteran Member
Veteran Member
Posts:762


--
10/28/2012 11:10 PM
Larry, have you checked into donating them to your local quilting bee organization? Might be a good way to take a tax deduction for a frugal fella like yourself.  hee hee!
0
You are not authorized to post a reply.
Page 2 of 3 << < 123 > >>


These Forums are dedicated to discussion of Claims Adjusting.

For the benefit of the community and to protect the integrity of the ecosystem, please observe the following posting guidelines: 
  • No Advertising. 
  • No vendor trolling / poaching. If someone posts about a vendor issue, allow the vendor or others to respond. Any post that looks like trolling / poaching will be removed.
  • No Flaming or Trolling.
  • No Profanity, Racism, or Prejudice.
  • Terms of Use Apply

    Site Moderators have the final word on approving / removing a thread or post or comment.