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There is a laser measuring device available at Home Depot and on the net for about $100. If you handle large commerical claims the first cathedral ceiling height you measure will pay for the lazer.

I use two of my  realtor wife's open house signs. The metal frames are light / strong about the size of  a bic pen and easy to place in the ground. Just spray paint out  the message intended and put a small smiley at the bottom.

The $100. Fat Max is very accurate and I can measured  about 190 feet with one sign placement.

Gread idea Trader!  My brother has a busines in OK City that makes these signs for realtors.  Next time I visit, I'm going to pick up a couple.  Thanks for passing this tip along!

Janice

 

I also use the Disto Meter with Bluetooth, It's great and interfaces directly with the computer so you can measure a room directly into the software, if it is supported by the software. It is a true Laser system, where you see the dot, that is the distance measured as it actually measures the light reflected back from the object pointed at.

John

I also use the Leica Disto Meter, it is a unbelievable time saver. The blue tooth function is great and it comes with plates to get your measurements with. The airlines may have a little problem with the signs being carried on the plane...LOL

Nathan your image of the sign frame is the wrong one. Its 2 steel wire rods 30 inches long with 2 rods 6 inches long welded to make a 6x18 inch  rectangle with 2 prongs on each end. Use the top to slip the prongs into the cardboard sign about 18x12 inches, weights about 1 lbs and 2 or 3 will fit into most suitcase and take up very little room.

I have a Disto that I have checked, re-checked, checked again and then had someone else check.  Dead smooth on, every time.

I have issues using it outside but it has always worked inside, even on fires.

I have a digital read-out wheel that works very good (with a fresh battery)

But .............................. nothin beats a Stanley 35ft tape

Does anyone use these devises for measuring roofs?

Two years ago when I was cleaning up a Hail Cat in MN in late Nov and Dec, I used it to check the size of some roofs that were not too cut up. I really enjoyed using it to measure siding on 2 story houses as with 3 measurements you could shoot the peak of the roof and then get the 2nd story soffit and width, Then you figure out the sq of that side.

The snow was already sticking in the roof so you could not get on the roof. So without taking the ladder out you could measure the roof. You can stand so your vision is in the same plane of the roof slope, step to the side and shoot the distance to the peak of the soffits, then without moving shoot the distance to the lower edge of the slope, subtract the two number with the built in buttons and you have the rafter length.

Did your photos show the snowflake hits?  Or did you have to go back later to verify the damage?

Just playing around with my new toy, I measured my own roof. I can see it coming in handy in some situations, but don't think it will replace the tape.

Leica had a booth at the recent PLRB Conf. in Orlando and I now see what you guys are talking about with the viewfinder on the side of the device. Holy mackrel, that little feature makes a significant difference in the older model that I have. I have the A5 Classic from about a year ago and two weeks later they came out with the newer A5's. Now I know why they raised the price by $100 for the newer model. Yep, it's worth it with the viewfinder, pythagorean theorem, and other features that weren't on the older A5 model.

If you buy them at the show, they may likely sell them at steep discounts ($100 off I believe), so with patience, stay on the lookout if you are looking to buy one.

I use the ultrasonic measurer for interiors (only $39 not $300), the old metal tape for roofs, the wheel for footprints or commercial. I dont need special glasses to read any of my tools!

http://www.calculated.com/cat8/Meas...Tools.html

The $100. Stanly Fat  Max is accurate. I drilled two holes in a 4x4 x12 block to hold the two legs of a cardboard and metal real estate agents open house sign. This is faster than a 100 foot tape on flat roofs. Take two up with you  one the roof or on the foot print. Shot the distance to the first one and then walk about 90 more feet and place the second, and so forth.

DO NOT trust the small lime colored Plastic small single wheel that cost about  $50.00, unless you check it regulary. Mine showed 86 feet and the tape was 100.

Sorry James Simmons, The ultra sonic have a greater potential for error than the laser devices. furniture and other things in the roomcan reflect the sound and give bad readings. With the lasers you only need a small spot of clear fromoneside to the other to get an accurate measurement. I have looked at several brands and models. In my opinion if you do mostly residential work the $99 fat max from Stanley will be all you need. It is very accurate inexpensive and is actually manufactured by Leica who make the more expensive brands. But it does have its limitations, If you do much commercial work it just does not have the range view finder etc. that some of the others have.