ARAS Laser Distance Meter 40m, Portable Handle Digital Measure Tool Range Finder with Bubble Level and Large Backlit LCD 4 Line Display(40m/131ft)

This is an excellent bit of kit. It's accurate, repeatable, easy to use, and seems well made. At 5 m range mine seemed to be reading consistently 2 mm off when compared to a good-quality steel tape. I used the calibration function to correct this, and it's now spot on at that distance. At 15 m range the measurement is repeatable to ±2 mm. Checking accuracy at this distance is hard without specialist surveying equipment, not least because the pressure needed to operate the "Measure" button causes the spot to move slightly if you're not careful. I'm satisfied that it matches a Stanley fibreglass tape to within 10 mm, and I wouldn't be surprised to get the full 2 mm accuracy. In other words it's excessively accurate for most real-world applications. The display is easy to read. It took me a while to realise that a removable clear film protects the display for shipping. The buttons have a nice feel. The unit does beep a lot, but I don't find that a problem. Build quality is fine for the price, though I don't see it standing up well to wet and mud on a building site. The included case is handy and gives good protection. The little paper manual has some terrible Chinese translations, but thankfully operation is fairly intuitive. The various triangulation modes, which allow you to measure things you can't physically reach, are more complicated, but easy to get the hang of if you use them regularly. On switching on, the unit defaults to the rear measurement datum (it's easy to swap to measuring from the front instead), but the units – metres, feet, inches etc. – are preserved. In practical use, range is limited by how far you can see the laser spot. To get the full 40 m you'd need dim lighting, a steady hand (a pity there's no tripod socket), and perhaps a reflective target. The built-in spirit level is not very accurate, though better than nothing I suppose. In sunshine, even 10 m could be difficult; if you're in doubt, try a standard red laser pointer. You can definitely take measurements successfully when it's too bright to see the laser spot, but accuracy will suffer if you can't see where you're aiming. Red laser glasses might help. The unit comes in a nice-looking printed cardboard box. Batteries (2 x AAA) were not supplied, which is unusual these days.

This is a brilliant tool! I surveyed my entire house in probably half the time it would have taken with a tape measure. However, if you buy one you'll still need your tape! There's a button that will take the measurement from either the top or the bottom of the device, which is incredibly handy. It would be useless without this feature really. If the laser is measuring anything less than 75mm away from the top of the device, chances are it's going to display an error. This is where you need your tape. Generally, because houses are never built perfectly square, I take the measurements from three points and then see what they come out at. The display will show the latest measurement, then the three measurements previously taken above. There's also an add/subtract feature where you can measure two areas and take away a third. This is handy as a double-check. There are other features which are probably too advanced for what I need. The only annoying thing I found with this is I can't fit the wrist-strap. It's infuriatingly fiddly.

5 stars for its operation, value and ease of use. Its as good as ones many times it's price. Loses a star for brief instructions. I do wonder if I should have paid a few extra quid for one with better memory function and that doesn't so easily change from single measure to max distance. These are now affordable and easy to use when measuring for paint, heat calcs etc. Another one of those things I wonder why I didn't get ages ago.

I was somewhat wary to buy a cheaper device than the most popular brands - but a few hours in and I have to say I am very impressed. Its easy to use - in fact, I did not read the manual until after I used it - typical bloke :-) I have not had to do any calibration having checked some measurements using a tape and all look bang on. I have used it outdoor to measure from ground to the highest most point of the roof apex and worked a treat. This was my main reason for buying it and was a little concerned on some comments about the laser dot not being viable in bright conditions - that may be true, but with overcast weather in January, I had no problems at all. Time will tell on its reliability - but quality seems good to me, so fingers crossed it will last me out.

This is a superb bit of kit. I'm very pleased with it. It functions very well and, at basic level, its easy to use. If you really want to invoke pythagaros functions you'll need a bit of time to study the methods used, but for day to day functions of length, area and volume its very easy. I found it to be well within the +/- 2mm accuracy stated, and the handy facility to recalibrate if or when necessary means you can be spot on to within a pencil lead width.

Very accurate. Have used it for 4+ years now and haven't needed to calibrate it yet. Keeps battery well & protective case is good.

In the past I have always relied on the traditional tape measure which when trying to measure some things alone over large distances can be inaccurate I.e. window recesses I have never owned a laser distance meter before and everytime I now use it I question why. This is a lightweight product which fits in your hand well. It is so easy to use and intuitive that the instructions are not needed. It comes with a great little carry case and lanyard for putting round your wrist. I cannot recommend this enough especially where you need very accurate measurements - every home should have one