Dewalt has launched a couple of laser distance measurers recently. I posted about their $50 DW065E 65′ laser distance measurer a few months ago, and perhaps I will post about their new Bluetooth-enabled 100′ model, DW099S, later this week.
But today, I wanted to talk about this cute little guy, a new 30 foot Pocket laser distance measurer, DW030PL.
The DW030PL is Dewalt’s first pocket-sized laser distance measuring tool that features a rechargeable Li-ion battery. It has a one-button operation, and is accurate to within 1/4″ at 30 feet.
It’s recharged via USB.
- 30′ range
- Measures 2.5″ L x 1.25″ W x 0.75″ H
- Over-molded case
- Built-in battery pack
- Battery fuel gauge (in the display)
- Charges via USB charging cable (included)
It also comes with a wrist strap.
MSRP: $19.99
Buy Now(via Acme Tool)
Buy Now(via Tool Nut)
Both of the retailers I checked have higher-than-MSRP prices. Maybe they’ll come down as the product launch nears.
First Thoughts
This looks like a very nice compact and simple laser distance measuring tool. It could be more accurate, but there are plenty of more accurate laser distance measuring tools for users prepared to spend more. But there aren’t a lot of brand-name laser distance measuring tools at this price.
The new Dewalt laser distance measurer faces competition from Kobalt’s 50′ laser measurer that went on sale for $20, and from the Bosch GLM 10 35′ laser measurer, whose price has dipped below $30 on Amazon.
I mentioned that I am working on “New DIYer” tool kit and giveaway tool kits. If this new Dewalt pocketable laser distance measuring tool was available right now, I’d buy 4 of them. I had been planning to buy the Bosch GLM 10, or a GLM 15’s if I can find them, but this new Dewalt no-frills model seems like a more appealing choice.
Why 4? 3 for the giveaway and 1 for my own use.
I don’t know if I’m a fan of the built-in rechargeable battery that recharges via USB. On one hand, that could be convenient. On the other, I like the ability to swap batteries with readily available AAA cells. But I suppose a rechargeable pack is a lot better than a coin cell, or a pricey proprietary removable pack. Plus, USB charging is good.
So I guess that’s an okay tradeoff. I’m guessing that the absence of AAA batteries and inclusion of a rechargeable Li-ion cell also contributes to its small size.
The display in the product image above shows units in meters. What I’m wondering, and hoping, is that there is the option to select between different unit options, such as inches, feet and inches, or metric as shown.