OX Trade 5m Tape Measure
OX Trade 5m Tape Measure
OX Tools Trade Measuring Tapes
Metric Only or Imperial/MetricMetric Only or Imperial/Metric
15 Responses |
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OX Trade 5m Tape Measure
Metric Only or Imperial/MetricMetric Only or Imperial/Metric
15 Responses |
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Does what it is designed to do, we don’t use much DIY so this was purchased as a ‘just in case’ and to measure furniture etc.
Works well and the brake works but I fear it will stop working at some point.
It’s a tape measure, and a very reasonably priced one. Not for a builder or other pro user I suspect, but for use just around the home it’s just fine – expands, can be locked, and then retracts. Just fine.
I’ve read a few reviews for these saying they aren’t great for site work which I kind of disagree if doing smaller jobs its i also bought the bigger version which i haven’t used much but so far I’ve found this one great I can stick it in my pocket apposed to a pouch or having to hook it all the time
It measures, it extends, it retracts, works as designed.
In fact it has 3 ways of locking which I was pleasantly surprised by. 2 temporary holds at the base and at the side, and the standard perm lock mechanism at the front. So there’s no excuse for holding it the “wrong way” anymore
Lots of options to keep the tape from retracting.
Solid tape and stays solid for over 2.5/3mtrs.
Absolute bargain price for a very high quality product. Much better for being metric only. You can more easily measure in both directions.
Makes it easy to measure and read long items. It also feels sturdy like the ones used by my father in the olden days!
Unlike most tapes the end doesn’t push in on itself easily for when your measuring from the inside measurement of something. Keeps your measurements accurate. Lock feature is also so helpful
It does the job…measures things…. feels sturdy unlike the thin cheap ones you can buy.
Well priced, handy little tape measure. Perfect to keep in a drawer at home, or in the car for example. While I wouldn’t use it for work or anything heavy duty, it’s great when you just need to make a simple measurement with something close to hand.
This tape measure ticks all the boxes for me. It’s a handy size (not too big) and it feels substantial.
The locking buttons work just fine, the clip has the right amount of grip to clip it onto your trousers and the retraction is good.
The tape is wide, so it keeps its shape when extended and the scale of measurement is very clear and easy to read. It has both metric and imperial measurements, which is always the most practical for me.
I’m very pleased so far with this purchase and can’t think of anything I don’t like. I’ll probably lose it before it wears out!
Secondly, when measuring on the floor it’s too top heavy, it keeps falling over, which in turn causes the tape to bend and weaken. I have only had this a few days and it’s already got a bend. I shall have to keep this tape for longer measures and buy another shorter one for day to day use.
Do I like it? no. (answer is “mostly yes” now I’ve modified it but see warning below)
Would I recommend it? Yes.
Why?….
Good:
*The markings are fairly clear and the tape wide and fairly robust.
*Price is good for a metric measure.
*Overall quite solid.
Bad:
*I find it bulky and awkward compared to other brands of the same spec.
*It has 2 superflous ways to lock the tape -additional to the standard front lock there’s one on the side which is unuseable in the right hand and sort of useable if you hold it in your left hand (but still doesn’t feel as natural as the front lock), then there’s another one underneath. I assume this is so that when extended you can just push the case down onto the surface and it (temporarily) locks the tape but again it doesn’t seem that useful and just makes the case unstable -the case dosn’t sit happly on it’s base and easilly falls on it’s side. Also, the bottom lock tilts the whole case about 15 degrees so the tape extends out into space instead of staying flat (until it falls over again…) -madness!! These 2 “extra” locks seem gimicky or at best very poorly executed.
If I was using it all day every day I would just grit my teeth and pay the extra for a Stanley or similar but would feel ripped off (see rant below). This is the second of these OX measures I’ve bought and the first is still going strong (despite many, many modest drops) so dumb additions aside they are good and so much better value than the other (metric) competition.
NB. Writing this review has made me wonder if the bottom lock is removeable. It is and I’ve just done it 🙂 Health warning though, you have to open up the case and take the risk of the tape springing out and unwinding itself in a dramatic fasion that is best avoided. Easy to do as long as you are careful. It also leaves a thumbnail sized hole in the bottom. I don’t think this affects operation in any way but does potentially allow debris in (electrical tape is an OK solution).
Rant warning!!!:
It is almost impossible to find a reasonably priced measure that doesn’t have both metric and imperial scale.
Most of us choose metric or imperial but don’t flipflop between the two, having both printed on the tape only serves to annoy as neither has the space for decent sized markings and inevitably the scale you are using is on the opposite side from where you are marking (maybe this is more an issue for us metric users as the inches are perhaps printed on the ergonomically more useable side?).
Anyway, I had a Stanley measure (metric) but it’s gone. It was MUCH nicer than these OX ones however, like all the quality manufacturers Stanley charge a massive premium for the metric only versions of their tapes which I don’t think is in any way justified by lower demand and feels like price gouging.