Talmeter - initial thoughts

**elanjacobs** · 3rd December 2014, 11:15 PM

Well I picked up my 3m Talmeter from the group purchase today and initial thoughts were "well this is a bit of a let down"

First of all, the blade lock needs to be held very firmly down to extend AND retract the tape (as opposed to the normal lock that lets you freely extend); I have pretty small hands and find it awkward to push hard enough - don't know if bigger hands would make it better or worse (it's a small tape). So the whole quickly-whip-the-tape-out-and-measure-something is a bit of a pain. This is also due to...

The scribing point fixed to the case. Because it's the same length as the tape-end I catch my finger on it. Every. Bloody. Time. If they'd made the tape-end 1-2mm longer this wouldn't be an issue, but, as it is, it looks like I'm going to end up with a nice callous on the outside of my left index finger. I'd imagine this would also cause the point to bend out of shape after a while.

Finally the tape itself. Are they still living in the 80s and using dot-matrix printers??? In my 7 years of work I've never seen such a poorly printed scale - even the $5 Chinese junk tape lying around at home is clearer and has finer lines. The 150mm rulers seem to have a similar problem with the scale being quite heavy.

Well that's my rant done. I'm interested to hear what others think of it.

P.S. There might be a 3m Talmeter going cheap in a few weeks, depends how irritating I find it

**Rod Gilbert** · 4th December 2014, 08:34 PM

Hi elanjacobs,
It doesn't sound as though you are impressed with you're measure I must admit that I had to do a search to find out about the measure and according to the blurb should be very accurate in it's use but it sound's as though that will be difficult to be that with poor marking to begin with, but as said I have no knowledge of the product myself but as always I listen to the voice of others to help along the way with solid knowledge of the product. The use of a circumference tape adds a degree of accuracy to the tape measure that is not usually associated with accuracy if that is what one of the functions of this measure is I haven't used one since I was an apprentice in the pattern shop.
Regards Rod.

**Skew ChiDAMN!!** · 5th December 2014, 07:17 PM

I grabbed one of the 6m 'uns in the same deal... and I gotta agree that it's a pita to extend, esp. when doing a lot of quick measurements. I've also found that it's end is annoyingly prone to slipping off when measuring over 3m, unless you have the room to run the tape on top. Which I rarely do.

Considering that I bought it to use at work - a joinery - when selecting timbers to dock down... well... I've reverted to my battered old chaiwanese 5m tape, even though it's out by 5mm or so.

However I have found it to be nice'n'accurate when quickly marking out lengths under 1.5m, thanks to the scribing point. I like that. A lot.

Mine'll be heading home to live in my shed. Can't help but wish I'd bought one of the smaller 'uns instead, though!

**Twisted Tenon** · 14th December 2014, 02:51 PM

I bought the 3 mtr one and am pleased it. Instead of pulling the tape out as I usually do with my left index finger, I've learned to hook my left thumb over the top of the tape to pull it out. I agree that the blade lock is fierce. The scale is on a par with my Bunnings Stanley 8 Mtr tape so I don't notice any difference. For me it will do fine in my shop as a dedicated cabinet work tape and I don't have to earn a living with it. I don't think it would be robust enough to take on a job site or in a yard of some sort. The inside measurement doovy is useful too. It's light and fits into my pocket easily. I am surprised that it didn't come with a belt clip.
I wanted to get the 6 mtr for my son and he took one look at the specs and declined. He thought it would be too fiddly.

TT

**Superbunny** · 14th December 2014, 08:02 PM

I'm reasonably happy with mine, I got the 3m one. The first thing I noticed was no belt clip, who would think of not putting one on in this very competitive market. I'm building in Tas so I will find it useful if I don't misplace it because of no belt clip. My BMI from Germany is just great, otherwise I'm happy, but no belt clip really.

SB

**Trav** · 19th December 2014, 12:39 PM

I got the 2 and 3m tapes. For my workshop use, it is perfect. I really bought it for the inside measurement feature, which works great. The absence of a belt clip is no issue for me. Makes it smaller and lighter which is a bonus. I like how it is a trigger release, rather than catch. Makes it more accurate in my view. I also like how it doesn't have inches on the tape - that always bugs me. Every time I need to measure something accurately, it seems to be that I'm forced to measure off the imperial side. This new tape measure avoids that.

Trav

**Superbunny** · 19th December 2014, 09:45 PM

Yes, there just had to be someone that doesn't need a belt clip, I bet they don't have a belt

.

SB

**Trav** · 21st December 2014, 09:09 PM

Originally Posted by Superbunny

Yes, there just had to be someone that doesn't need a belt clip, I bet they don't have a belt

.

SB

I just have so many tape measures that I just leave them lying around my workshop and there's usually one within reach!

Trav

**elanjacobs** · 21st December 2014, 09:11 PM

Originally Posted by Superbunny

Yes, there just had to be someone that doesn't need a belt clip, I bet they don't have a belt

.

SB

I don't like belt clips on small tapes 'cos I like to keep them in my pocket. I find it more convenient than on my belt.

Thread: Talmeter - initial thoughts

Thread Tools

Search Thread

Talmeter - initial thoughts

Similar Threads

Initial Flat Top Trailer Planning.

Dissapearing Initial Post

Leigh D1600 - Initial impression

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions