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Cheap "Disto" Craftsman AccuTrac 48298

PostPosted: Jul 29, 2009 8:45 am
by FW
I attended the Communications and Electronics session at the NSS convention, and saw a cheap version of the Disto.

Sears (Craftsman) had a version of the Disto laser measuring device. They are being surplussed on eBay for around $50.

Go to eBay, and search for:

Craftsman AccuTrac Laser Measuring Tool 48298

Don't get tricked into getting the one below, it isn't nearly as good. Note the different part number.
Craftsman Laser Guided Measuring Tool 48252

Re: Cheap "Disto"

PostPosted: Jul 29, 2009 9:13 am
by Scott McCrea
I have heard that the Craftsman is not as durable as the Bosch 165. But, I've never tried the Craftsman. The Bosch has held up well for me and several other cavers I know. I got mine for $70 on eBay.
Previously: viewtopic.php?f=26&t=5322 and viewtopic.php?f=26&t=8106

Re: Cheap "Disto"

PostPosted: Jul 29, 2009 1:13 pm
by NZcaver
Thanks, Forrest! I thought I noted down the model number at the CE section meeting, but couldn't find it.

Scott, I'm not sure how rugged this Craftsman model is but at the meeting they said it worked surprisingly well for cave survey. Especially considering the price. However I distinctly remember being told it has a 250 foot range, and yet the specs seems to indicate a 150 foot maximum range.

If anybody owns one and has surveyed caves with it, feel free to post a review....

PS Forrest - I modified your topic title to make searches easier.

Re: Cheap "Disto" Craftsman AccuTrac 48298

PostPosted: Jul 30, 2009 10:34 am
by FW
I have one now. I will test it next trip to a "dry cave" :roll:

Brian said it was only advertised to 150', but would work a lot farther than that.

Re: Cheap "Disto" Craftsman AccuTrac 48298

PostPosted: Jul 30, 2009 11:18 am
by Squirrel Girl
Well, I already have a Disto, so I won't buy a Craftsman. But when I read Forrest's first email, I can't figure out which one is the good one, and which one is the one not to buy.

Re: Cheap "Disto" Craftsman AccuTrac 48298

PostPosted: Jul 30, 2009 11:26 am
by NZcaver
Squirrel Girl wrote:Well, I already have a Disto, so I won't buy a Craftsman. But when I read Forrest's first email, I can't figure out which one is the good one, and which one is the one not to buy.

Barbara - the model in the topic title is (supposedly) the "good one."

Re: Cheap "Disto" Craftsman AccuTrac 48298

PostPosted: Jul 30, 2009 11:54 am
by Squirrel Girl
NZcaver wrote:
Squirrel Girl wrote:Well, I already have a Disto, so I won't buy a Craftsman. But when I read Forrest's first email, I can't figure out which one is the good one, and which one is the one not to buy.

Barbara - the model in the topic title is (supposedly) the "good one."

That's what I might have guessed, but the text was confusing to me.
Sigh.

Re: Cheap "Disto" Craftsman AccuTrac 48298

PostPosted: Jul 30, 2009 4:51 pm
by FW
Squirrel Girl wrote:That's what I might have guessed, but the text was confusing to me.
Sigh.

OK, I changed the text, is it clearer now?

Re: Cheap "Disto" Craftsman AccuTrac 48298

PostPosted: Jul 30, 2009 5:22 pm
by Rick Brinkman
I have been using one for about a year and half.

No, it's not nearly as durable as a Disto. Definitely NOT waterproof. But, I have found it to work better(acquire measurement quicker) that the Distos that I have used.

Measures up to 250'.

It was relatively cheap and works well. I like it.... :big grin:

Re: Cheap "Disto" Craftsman AccuTrac 48298

PostPosted: Jul 30, 2009 5:34 pm
by Squirrel Girl
FW wrote:
Squirrel Girl wrote:That's what I might have guessed, but the text was confusing to me.
Sigh.

OK, I changed the text, is it clearer now?

Crystal.

BTW, I am picking up my new 95s tonight. My "new" light I bought from Wayne in May that was broken, arrived in my mailbox today, theoretically fixed, AND I got a new used drysuit in the mail. Hope this one fits better. Too bad there's no where good to dive up here.

Re: Cheap "Disto" Craftsman AccuTrac 48298

PostPosted: Feb 22, 2010 3:27 pm
by trogman
I have one of these and use it for ridgewalking and short surveys where the conditions won't get too wet or muddy. It comes in real handy on ridgewalks-if I find a hole and want to tell how deep/long it is, I just shoot down it and "Presto!" I've had it for about 6 months or so, so far the only issue was a time or two when the lens fogged up. That tends to happen when it's 20 degrees F out side and 58 in the cave. :big grin:
Trogman :helmet: