All the ones at a reasonable price point I have seen are about +/- 3mm (i.e. 1/8 inch). So not very accurate/significant margin of error at short ranges.

What are you measuring? I've had better accuracy at short-ish distances with precision tape measures - a tape measure with either a digital readout or a precision gauge (usually on the top with a magnifier). At very short distances, you won't get better than steel ruler. And at tiny distances, obviously calipers.

good point. let's revise that to 3-30m!

snnet:

 

What do you consider cheap? 

 

I think my Makita one was $150-$200 LD050P for 50m and there's LD030P for 30m distance

 

what's the precision and consistency?

under $50?

I just went through this a few days ago.

I ended up buying two.

• https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32920361910.html Best seller on Aliexpress. There is a similar, almost identical version (same manufacturer) which is sold on Amazon - 5th top rated there.. - Cheap and cheerful.
• Purchased a second - BOSCH GLM 20 Blaze. Very popular but fairly basic. Purchased locally in NZ.

From my research, I think the Leica Disto D2 is one of the best overall. Overkill for me so didn't go for it.

thanks. pulling the trigger now.

wait a sec. the black one red one or the grey one?

Batman:

 

thanks. pulling the trigger now.

 

wait a sec. the black one red one or the grey one?

 

I went with the 100M grey one.

For under 50.00 I don't think you are going to get any better at +/- 3mm accuracy.

I ended up purchasing "A Leica DISTO D510" https://www.accurate.kiwi/Product/lasertape-disto-d510/ 

It was not cheap at $900+  but the accuracy is spot on with +/- 1mm and good for up to 200m.

There are a few features on this one that save time and make life easier when measuring and working out volumes and other things like that.

it says NiMH battery. me don't like those things. might look for AA or AAA battery powered one

sparkz25:

 

For under 50.00 I don't think you are going to get any better at +/- 3mm accuracy.

 

I ended up purchasing "A Leica DISTO D510" https://www.accurate.kiwi/Product/lasertape-disto-d510/ 

 

It was not cheap at $900+  but the accuracy is spot on with +/- 1mm and good for up to 200m.

 

There are a few features on this one that save time and make life easier when measuring and working out volumes and other things like that.

 

 

 

thanks. reason for cheaping out is that i'm using this more as a toy than a work tool

Batman:

 

sparkz25:

 

For under 50.00 I don't think you are going to get any better at +/- 3mm accuracy.

 

I ended up purchasing "A Leica DISTO D510" https://www.accurate.kiwi/Product/lasertape-disto-d510/ 

 

It was not cheap at $900+  but the accuracy is spot on with +/- 1mm and good for up to 200m.

 

There are a few features on this one that save time and make life easier when measuring and working out volumes and other things like that.

 

 

 

 

thanks. reason for cheaping out is that i'm using this more as a toy than a work tool

 

Fair call, if it was for work I would recommend spending that extra bit more.

James Bond:

 

Batman:

 

thanks. pulling the trigger now.

 

wait a sec. the black one red one or the grey one?

 

 

 

 

I went with the 100M grey one.

 

thanks i'm getting the one with AAA battery.

I had been looking for one of these a few months back but didn’t end up getting one as I wasn’t sure which were any good, so great to have some specific recommendations. Do you think there’s any difference in terms of accuracy between the different models, eg if the 80m models are just as accurate as the 40m?

@tchart: Which one did you get?

i presume the longer distance one has a more powerful light source