OX Trade 5m Tape Measure
OX Trade 5m Tape Measure
OX Tools Trade Measuring Tapes
Metric Only or Imperial/MetricMetric Only or Imperial/Metric
20 Responses |
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OX Trade 5m Tape Measure
Metric Only or Imperial/MetricMetric Only or Imperial/Metric
20 Responses |
|---|
Solved an argument.
After a heated and bitter debate with the mrs I took matters in to my own hands and brought this to prove a point.
Turns out it’s not 8 inchesnot even close
Does the job
Already got tape measures, but nothing as long as 8 meters.
– For the price figured it was worth the purchase
– Only has mm, cm, meter measurement, but already knew that from the description
– Not used it properly yet, but happy with the build and quality
Sturdy enough
It’s probably not going to last a lifetime, but considering my last one lasted 10 years, this one should last long enough. Just don’t unroll it beyond 6 metres to preserve the inner spring.
Really there’s nothing bad about these tapes, really. I bought them because the cost of a decent tape has become nuts given that a few days use outdoors can mean they are knackered. For the price of one well known name brand I got three of these.
Best of all for me is that they are metric only. I’m not against imperial but I get really irritated with the inches taking prominent place or being on the side of the tape which I want to read from. Basically you get metric on both sides which is ideal.
Quality is good. In fact no worse than the really expensive ones I’ve bought in the past. Overall, I’ll stick with these.
I’m amazed at the quality of the blade and the housing.
I’ve already bought 3 just to make sure I have a new one to go to when needed.
It feels right in your hand.
Fits in my pockets nicely.
3 different options to lock the blade.
5.0 out of 5 stars Great produc
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.
5.0 out of 5 stars A+
Works well and the brake works but I fear it will stop working at some point.
Small but grea
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
Grea
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.
Does the job, can't ask for more
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
5.0 out of 5 stars Good quality
Lots of options to keep the tape from retracting.
Solid tape and stays solid for over 2.5/3mtrs.
5.0 out of 5 stars Bargain tape measure
Absolute bargain price for a very high quality product. Much better for being metric only. You can more easily measure in both directions.
5.0 out of 5 stars Does the job well
Makes it easy to measure and read long items. It also feels sturdy like the ones used by my father in the olden days!
Minimal movement of the end making it accurate
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
5.0 out of 5 stars Does the job and feels sturdy
It does the job…measures things…. feels sturdy unlike the thin cheap ones you can buy.
Feels a bit bulky and heavy, but expected for something which measures such a large distance (I got the longest version). Build feels sturdy, the recoil works well. I haven’t checked the accuracy to be honest, but don’t suspect it to be wrong. Numbers and markings are easy to read. The lock feature isn’t the best either. The edges of the tape feel a bit sharp and I cut myself accidentally during the tape recoil, just be careful.
Handy as a backup
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.
I get through quite a few tape measures and so view them as consumable items. Consequently, I don’t feel inclined to spend lots of money on them as they tend to get lost, broken or pocketed by other people!
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!
Needed a decent size tape and decided on the OX. It’s a good tape, feels good in hand but I had to cut the plastic handle off as it’s too rigid and kept getting in the way when measuring, it needs to be softer rubber.
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.
OK tape measure.
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.