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Whether it’s because you’re working by yourself, need to make a quick (and accurate) calculation, or you’re working over long distances, tape measures can be inconvenient. They slip off their anchor point, bend and snap, and get dirty and rusty. While there’s always a place in a craftsperson’s tool box for a tape measure, a laser measure is—sometimes—the better option. In this Bosch laser measure review, you’ll get an idea of how one of the brand’s offerings measures up.
Puns aside, I’ll get laser-focused on what this laser measure can do, what it can’t do, who it’s for, and who should pass on it. And to ensure I have a good grasp on this tool’s usability, technology, and capability, I performed extensive hands-on testing. I put the Bosch Blaze GLM 50 C Laser Distance Measure through its paces so you’ll know if it’s a purchase worth making. And, with much cheaper models available, that’s information worth having.
The Bosch Blaze GLM 50 C Laser Distance Measure: At a Glance
Rating: [9.1/10]
PROS
- Very compact design
- Tons of functionality
- Easy to use
- Automatically rotating display
CONS
- Holster’s belt loop is too small
- The beeping!
Get the Bosch Blaze GLM 50 C Laser Distance Measure at:
What Is the Bosch Laser Measure?
As the name suggests, the Bosch laser measure is a tool used to measure the distance between two points using laser technology. Think of it as a digital tape measure. This tool projects a red laser beam on a surface up to 165 feet away and displays the distance between the unit and the surface. It’s capable of measuring from the top, middle, or bottom of the tool (the bottom being the most useful in most cases). It also has Bluetooth technology that allows users to transfer measurements from the unit to a smartphone, creating digital floor plans in the palm of their hands.
When it comes to features, Bosch laser measures never fall short. The Bosch Blaze GLM 50 C Laser Distance Measure has a lot to mention. First, it’s capable of measuring length between two points, the area of a room, or the volume of a space. Furthermore, it also utilizes the Pythagorean theorem to calculate the height or length of a wall that a user simply can’t measure manually. It also allows for stakeout measurements, indicating the measurement at which the user should install a stake or other marker. There is even a built-in digital level, requiring the user to simply place the Bosch laser measure on the surface to get a reading.
The Bosch also features a digital screen that is very easy to read, with a dark blue backlit background behind bright white lettering. The text also reorients automatically, so it’s always easy to read, regardless of the angle at which the Bosch laser measure is sitting or being held. And, one last feature worth mentioning is the device’s memory, which saves several measurements in the device for jotting down at a later time.
Oh, and it’s accurate to within 1/16th of an inch.
How Easy Is the Bosch Laser Measure to Put Together?
One of the beautiful things about the Bosch laser measure is that it’s basically ready to go straight out of the box. It comes with the two AAA batteries required to run the laser measure, and there aren’t any tricky little screws to contend with when accessing the battery compartment.
The Bosch laser measure also comes with a lanyard made from nylon. While it might seem unnecessary to install a lanyard on this unit, there are a few points to consider. First, almost all laser measures come with lanyards, and the Bosch’s was very easy to install (some aren’t). Second, this model is very compact, and the lanyard helps ensure it doesn’t get dropped, preventing a shock that could potentially affect its accuracy.
The Bosch Blaze GLM 50 C Laser Distance Measure also comes with a durable nylon holster that the user can strap to their belt. Because this model doesn’t have a belt clip, the holster is important. However, the hook-and-loop belt loop is small, making it impossible to attach to a tool belt, but also difficult for wide leather work belts. This is one of the Bosch laser measure’s biggest issues (and how big is it, really?).
Is the Bosch Laser Measure Easy to Use?
One of the most important factors when assessing a laser measure’s usefulness is how easy it is to use. All the functions in the world won’t matter if you aren’t able to access and use them when you need them—this is one area where the Bosch Blaze GLM 50 C really excels.
The Bosch laser measure has a digital menu that the user can access with just a push of a button. Once there, the user can choose between the following measurements: real-time, length, area, volume, indirect (Pythagorean theorem), wall area (including multiple walls), stakeout, and level. The memory function is also available from this digital menu. The digital screen also rotates, making it easier to read the display at any angle.
Also, one of the most important features that this laser measure offers is its Bluetooth integration. Integrating the Bosch Blaze GLM 50 C with a smartphone is fairly straightforward: Simply download the MeasureOn app and link the two devices. I found it took a few minutes to understand how to transfer the measurements to the app, but once I did, it was very easy to use. The struggle was probably due to my own unwillingness to read the directions and lack of technical ability, but it was easy to overcome.
How Well Is the Bosch Laser Measure Designed?
When it comes to the Bosch Blaze GLM 50 C Laser Distance Measure’s design, I have quite a few opinions (spoiler alert: they’re almost all good).
First, I really liked the Bosch’s compact design. I compared this model to a handful of other laser measures, and it was by far the most compact. It wasn’t the skinniest, though it was certainly the shortest. This makes it ideal for stashing in a tool belt or tool box, or even in a shirt pocket.
Also, I liked that the Bosch laser measure has a dead-flat bottom. This makes placing it against a surface and pulling an accurate measurement very quick and easy. It can sit steadily on a floor or against a wall. Not all laser measures have flat bottoms, so it’s definitely something that makes the Bosch Blaze GLM 50 C stand out from the crowd.
One thing I didn’t like about the Bosch laser measure was the beeping. My dog accompanies me on most of my projects, and beeping tools drive her up a wall. All laser measures beep, but most have a way to shut it off. I was unable to find a simple setting to shut off the beep on this device.
How Accurate Is the Bosch Laser Measure?
Accuracy should always be a concern when it comes to measuring tools. It’s important that they’re reliable so any calculations, orders, or cuts are accurate. But, accuracy isn’t the entire story.
The Bosch laser measure is accurate to within 1/16th of an inch, but that’s somewhat unnecessary. First, unless you’re building furniture, you probably aren’t measuring down to 1/16th of an inch. And, if you are, you’re likely using a high-end precision measurement tool and the smallest marking tool you can find. That is not what this Bosch is intended for.
The Bosch Blaze GLM 50 C is intended more for layouts and calculations than it is for measuring and cutting, and for those applications, it’s very accurate. I tested this model against several other high-end laser measures, and their lengths, areas, and volumes were all very close. I would not hesitate to use the tool to create a floor plan, measure for flooring or paint, or mark out stakes for a building project. And, since it has a range of up to 165 feet, it’s incredibly useful outdoors.
Is the Bosch Laser Measure Worth the Money?
There are laser measures available for less than a third of what the Bosch costs, even when it’s on sale. Knowing that, and knowing that practical accuracy and use don’t necessarily require measurements down to 1/16th of an inch, is the Bosch Blaze GLM 50 C worth the money?
Without a doubt, it is worth the money. The Bosch Blaze GLM 50 C offers more functionality than most other laser measures, and accessing those functions is easier than with other brands. Some of the other high-end brands have frustrating apps, menus that are difficult to navigate, and functions that aren’t intuitive. The Bosch Blaze GLM 50 C is user-friendly, and the app design is spot-on and simple to use.
Truthfully, the only thing I would want to see at this price point is a better holster and a way to shut off the beeping, and neither of those affects functionality. Beyond those points, working with this Bosch laser measure is mostly seamless.
Should You Buy the Bosch Laser Measure?
When I was comparing this laser measure to other models, I would often ask myself who a particular laser measure would be for. Is it for a pro? A handyman? A homeowner? For whom would purchasing this tool make sense?
First, if you don’t do a lot of large-scale measuring, you simply don’t need a laser measure. Even cabinetmakers working with large cabinets probably won’t find them useful during construction of the boxes (maybe for layout, though). Or, if you’re only tackling one project a year, buy a quality tape measure and put the extra money toward a good saw.
But, there are quite a few people who would benefit from the Bosch laser measure. First, pros who need to calculate any material, whether it be flooring, drywall, countertops, moldings, or anything else, will find the Bosch laser measure incredibly useful. It takes accurate measurements, has several functions, and stores information in the onboard memory. It doesn’t get more professional than that.
Also, hardcore DIYers with a houseful of renovation projects on the horizon should definitely consider the Bosch laser measure. They’ll be able to quickly and accurately determine the size of their rooms to calculate budgets, materials orders, and much more. And, since the math required for area and volume is automatic, they won’t have to worry about struggling with calculations that they haven’t used since high school algebra.
Where to Buy the Bosch Laser Measure
Get the Bosch Blaze GLM 50 C Laser Distance Measure at: