I’m not sure what to make of this one. At first I laughed and figured someone got clever with Photoshop or a 3D rendering. Nope, it’s legit — well, as legit as a 25’, battery-powered, voice-recording, bulky tape is likely to get. Shortly after discovering this thing I heard several horror stories involving broken tapes and dead batteries; then I logged on to the HSN site to read a few more.
I believe the word “gimmick” must actually appear somewhere on the tape. If not, you should stencil it in somewhere between the power switch and speaker slots. Given the reduced $5 price tag, I’m guessing this won’t go down in holiday season lore with Tickle Me Elmo and Nintendo Wii.
Unless you have a wicked funny bone and are getting it so you can share a laugh with someone special, steer clear.
Bob Vila 25′ Digital Tape [HSN]
Bob Villa Tape Measurer [Gear Diary]
If you enjoyed this article, please consider sharing it!
8 Responses to Bob Vila Digital Tape
Leave a Reply
TM on Flickr
![RICH-CON No. 2 [shows Logo on side of plane]](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7236/7230831382_240f44f2f4_s.jpg)
Recent Comments
{ If you need an old vice, there are many on ebay! } – May 19, 6:08 PM
{ I have had little experience with Honda although people I know who own them swear by them. I have owned and used B&S powered lawn... } – May 19, 3:53 PM
{ Not having a starter on my Tiller is BS! I have one on my Snow blower and it works like a champ! No battery just... } – May 19, 2:37 PM
{ I have that same Sears vice and beat the crap out of it, and it just keeps coming back for more, for about 1/10th the... } – May 19, 9:32 AM
{ Where do I get these? } – May 18, 7:48 PM
I won’t buy one until Billy Mays puts his seal of approval on it.
Wow! This thing is even a step beyond the B & D “power tape” that has a push button to extend it and another to retract it. Pretty weighty device – you could get carpal tunnel from it.
A fool and his money are soon parted…
now, I’m aching to get my hands on a few of these…
http://www.fastcap.com/products.aspx?id=346
and if you’re looking to shell out for a tape with a digital read… get a laser range meter, preferably one from hilti or stabilia. I’ve heard there are others, but I wouldn’t recommend them with any accuracy. The sonic based tapes are also a waste of money by all accounts.
My Hilti PD4 was lost at the city dump for a week. rained on for 3 of those days. It’s seen the dust of countless drywall jobs, been dropped and abused for over a year now, and still works like a charm, and I get a free recalibration this year from Hilti. Among the best $200 I’ve spent.
You can use this when you install that Bob Vila approved Lumber Liquidator Bellawood flooring.
Would Reiley(was on a show with Bob) or Norm use this.Could you see being on a job site with a talking tape measure.All the fellas would be chasing you around.
Would Reiley(was on a show with Bob) or Norm use this.Could you see being on a job site with a talking tape measure.All the fellas would be chasing you around.Next we will have a talking toilet seat
Bob Villa should be more careful about what he’s willing to slap his name on. Could you imagine him going to a work site on his own show and someone using one of these? I certainly can’t.
I’m pretty sure the “Talking” part is a digital recorder so you don’t forget your measurements. Sigh.