Bosch has taken the form factor of the miniscule GLM 15 laser distance measuring tool, added a backlight, increased the range to 65 feet, threw in a new all-inches measurement mode, and named it the GLM 20.
The new GLM 20 is also the first laser measure to boast Bosch’s new Blaze branding. Blaze laser measurers are said to set the industry standard for technical innovation, size, speed, and ease of use.
The GLM 20 will debut at the same price as the GLM 15, and it looks like the GLM 15 will enjoy a reduction in price.
- 65 ft range
- ± 1/8 in. accuracy
- Backlit display
- Powered by 3 AAA batteries
The GLM 15 was powered by 2 AAA batteries, but I suppose it makes sense that the GLM 20 is a little power hungry, since it has that backlighting.
I’m a fan of the GLM 15. It’s very spartan when it comes to features, but Bosch does offer some more feature-rich laser measurers if you’re willing to pocket something a little larger.
The GLM 20 has just a single button. Press it once to turn on the laser and start taking real-time measurements. Press it again to hold the measurement on-screen. Press it again, and it will display the stored measurement, as well as a real-time measurement. A long press will turn off the devices.
With one button, how does one change to inches and feet, or inches-only measurements? I asked Bosch, and they said that you can change the unit of measure at any time, even for an already measured [stored] value, by pressing and holding the main button “until the unit of measurement comes up.”
I suppose then that changes the measurement mode requires a long press, but not long enough to turn off the device.
Price: $50
Buy Now(via Amazon)
Compare(GLM 15 via Amazon)
The GLM 15 is now described as a “basic unit” over at Amazon, with a $30 price tag.