We (myself and Ben) were talking about the new Crescent Lufkin Shockforce tape measures yesterday (read more about them here), and I went looking to see what user feedback has been like.
On one of the product pages, I came across this promo image for the Nite Eye hi-viz version of the tape measure.
But this morning, with the browser tab still open on my computer, I found myself wondering – what is it supposed to show?
In the product image, the Lufkin tape measure is resting on a rather large block of discolored steel that looks to be waiting to be cut by a horizontal band saw. Is that the saw’s table? Is the unsecure (or ar least unclamped) tape measure what’s being cut?
There’s freeze-frame lighting, and what are those silvery flakes flying around on both sides of the image? Coolant spray or metal chips? Both? Maybe coolant on the left, chips on the right?
A photo like this takes a great amount of photographic skill and/or editing to achieve. And it does look quite good. I appreciate product images that stray from white-background norms. But I don’t “get” it.
To me, this product image says “badass tape measure in a completely impractical work environment.” It also hurts my sensibility.
I’ve been working with a test sample, and so far the only thing that has bugged me, aside from this product image, is that the belt clip was a little wiggly and had to be tightened.
Buy Now(16′ via Acme Tools)
Buy Now(25′ via Acme Tools)
Buy Now(25′ Nite Owl via Acme Tools)
If you happen to catch one of these tape measures at the hardware store, give it a go. I like that the 25′ Shockforce tape feels closer in size to a 16′ tape than the monstrous 25′ tapes that other leading brands have come out with. I like the ergonomics so far.
