Bosch GLR225 Laser Distance Measurer (Discontinued by Manufacturer)

A Review of BOSCH's laser Rangefinder GLR225 & comparison with the DLR130.EXTERIORThe unit is hefty. The case is made of sturdy plastic, in part, and also sports an easy-to-grip rubber outer surface which is pleasant to the touch and affords some protection accidental from damage. It seems to be solidly constructed. The battery compartment is easily accessed and the batteries are not cramped -- they are easy to replace.DISPLAYThere is no backlight.THE BUTTONSThe buttons, although small, are generally well laid out and well labeled but in my opinion, some improvements could have been made.The buttons are embodied as that common bubble / diaphragm panel structure which is ubiquitous in many electronic devices. This implementation requires considerable pressure to activate the unit's function buttons.The button which is to be depressed at the instant of measurement requires substantial pressure; the distance "laser spot" moves in response to a reaction which results from a finger press. If the designers had seen fit to construct at least this one button differently so that it is were more sensitive, it would be much easier and less frustrating to exact measurements from small and distantly lasered targets.MEASUREMENTThe GLR225's has the ability to measure distances from its front as well as from the rear surfaces (rear is the default). It can also make indirect length measurements by use of the Pythagorean theorem. Obtaining an accurate measurement by this method is very difficult because of inaccuracy of judgment as to when you are directly abeam, or 90° to the spot on the surface be measured.The common representations of units of measurement for the metric system and for the English system are represented and easily changeable from one to the other by stepping through the m/ft button. However, when the numbers from memory are displayed, not all units of measurements are available.MANUALin their respective manuals, the GLR225 is called a "Rangefinder"; the DLR130 is called a "Distance Measurer". The GLR225's instructions are carelessly written; and some errors occur; it was obviously cut-and-pasted form its older sibling, the DLR130. It's a small passport-size booklet, 19 pages, on newsprint type paper. The unit's parts are labeled by number on one main diagram, pg.2; the numbered parts are named on pg.9; this makes for a great deal of page-flipping in this booklet when item numbers only are called out in the discussion.The Bosch Rangefinder and its manual are made in Malaysia. I suspect the thing was designed in Germany because Bosch is a German company, well respected worldwide for its quality tools amongst other things.TRIPODA standard threaded hole is provided on the bottom of the unit in order to attach the GLR225 to a tripod. Four measuring reference points are provided: back, front, tripod attachment point and a metal swing-out extension pin for measuring from inside corners or channels. In actual use, successive button presses do not seem to step through these four successive measuring positions in sequence, sometimes skipping the position which the user wants to select.When using the tripod attachment point, a convenient provision is made -- unlike for the DLR130 -- allowing one to measure one distance, rotate the unit 180° to measure the opposite distance and thus obtain a total by using the "M+" button.The unit also sports as small bubble level to provide a rough visual reference when measuring horizontal distances.PACKAGINGIts box is standard, of the kind one might see hanging from a display hook at a hardware store. The packaging was clearly not designed by Steve Jobs.UTILITY POUCHA uselessly small carrying case is provided; many complaints have been noted by other online reviewers. This is a gross oversight on the part of Bosch's management and quality control, in my opinion. The GLR225 comes with a handy wrist strap; the DLR130 does not, although it also has an attachment point for such a lanyard. (To see a good picture, G0OGL 'nowscape bosh').LABELINGThe warning labels affixed to both sides of this unit are small and impossible to read.ACCURACY AND RANGEThe shortest distance of measurement given in the specification is 2 inches. I have been unable to achieve the measurement of the maximum distance of 230 feet claimed according to the manual. My maximum measurement at night, onto a snow bank, was 170 feet. The message "Err" obtains when an out-of-range measurement is attempted.I have not tried to verify Bosch's accuracy claim but I have compared this unit's results with those of its sibling, the GLR225 Rangefinder and almost always identical readings result on both units. When do they differ, the difference is only in the third digit to the right of the decimal point in the metric system display (see image).I have taken measurements using a tripod, to a spot and obtained exactly the same readings ad nauseam.The units can display three decimal positions after the decimal point but when measurements are transferred to the memory only two decimal positions remain visible on the display.OVERALLI purchased both of these units. After testing the Bosch GLR225 and the DLR130 I've decided to use the DLR130. It's a little bit less confusing to use since it has fewer bells and whistles.Amazon doesn't permit external links in its reviews. If you G0OGL 'nowscape bosh' you can find this review and some pictures.ADDENDUMA queer thing happened when I tried to take pictures of the DLR130 and GLR225 side by side. I used a flash. The display of the GLR225 always was blank in the pictures! It was frustrating; I'd assumed that the thing always just timed out and had shut itself off during the setup time for the photos. I eventually came to realize that the camera's flash caused the GLR225 to turn off at the instant (actually just before) the image was recorded on the CCD of the camera!

I have resisted getting a laser for measuring estimates for years. I am a renovator and tend to buy tools that have a quick payback and this device has the ability to do just that. I have used some other brands and models in the past but this one had good specs at a great price point so I decided to get it.Amazon did a great jobs sending it out in a few days and I got it via Super Saver in four days. Thanks Amazon!The GLR225 came in packaging that was easy to open that most of which could be recycled- important for me being a green builder.The device itself was very intuitive for me and I got a basic distance measurement in a couple minutes including opening the package. After reading some of the reviews I was concerned about how well it was made and most importantly worked- as a professional it exceeded my demanding expectations. Here are my findings using it for a couple hours:It is built very sturdy and rated IP54 so it can be used in the elements. The buttons are not "mushy"- they are sealed unlike other devices I have used. I liked the click it gives when a measurement is taken as I can feel it in noisy environments. It has more options than I will most likely use on a regular basis because I am good at math, but they are convenient.The first job I used it on was outside in the full sun and it got a measurement in a second or so with a nice click to let me know it was done. I could read the display just fine- even with 50 year old eyes. The level helped me aim the device quickly- a nice feature. The accuracy is great- I would never use it to cut trim or molding (and I am not sure why anyone would) but for estimating it is a real time saver. I will use it to lay out foundation distances, wall area for painting, room size for trim estimates, deck installations, driveway area for gravel, property line offsets for fence lines, and probably many more projects.The tether is nice because I doubt it will last many falls to the concrete like my tape measures take. The pouch is a little tight but not bad if it is put in the correct direction- I will mainly use it for a protective cover as I do not need anything else hanging from my belt and the GLR225 is easy to carry with a clipboard in the other hand.Over all I think it will be a great tool that will have a quick payback- if I save a couple hours it has paid for itself. Not taking a steel tape out on hardwood floors or a 100' steel tape outside will be a big time saver as well as giving the client that warm fuzzy feeling I have the correct tool for the job. I do not tend to give tools five stars but I could not resits to do so on this one. A must have for the professional contractor.

You can get a $20 laser measurer from a home store or consumer electronics store.. Those aren't worth it, I've returned 3 of those $20 laser measurers already.. They were all OFF, one of them 1" PER FOOT !! I paid 5 times more to get this pro level tool and IT IS WORTH IT !! Bang on measurements, robust design, in-built calculations beyond simple linear measurements.. I REALLY like the feature of getting an indirect measurement using the in-built Pythagorean Theorem.. You can also measure min-max, area, volume all using the inbuilt calculations.. WELL WORTH IT, whether you are in the trades, or someone who wants FAST, ACCURATE, room dimensions without fussing over tape measures.. I'm no tradesperson, I got this to plan our decor for our new townhome..

Love this tool! It takes the guesswork out of measuring. The name of Bosch is the quality you are looking for. Reliable and a great multi-use tool. It has both standard and metric measurements. It's too bad they do not have a backlight on the tool, so if measuring in a dark space or outdoors it can be difficult to view the display properly.

I use this daily for measuring homes - at least 50 measurements per day. This is a replacement for the same one I have used for 2 years, but still works fine, I just keep a second one in case. The only thing I don't like is when the numbers are added using memory, you can only recall the total with decimal to the 10 rather than feet & inches. Hence the 4 instead of 5.

Works very well. Is obviously very difficult to aim past 80' depending on your target size, and can have some issues measuring in full daylight. A tripod is very helpful. Haven't really had the chance to try the volume and area measurements but I would assume they work as well as the rest of the unit.

I gave this to my son-in-law who is in the construction business and often is called out to do estimates for prospective clients.Working on his own can often mean being creative when trying to use a measuring tape of limited length. This device lets him take accurate measurements and get the job done faster.It often serves as an extra set of hands.