Hozo Design has a pair of digital measuring gadgets within the NeoRuler and M-Dice, with each having the aim of creating each micro and macro measurements extra exact and simpler to perform.
Measurements are an space that have not actually undergone that many actual improvements through the years. The standard ruler, even much less so.
Hozo Design goals to vary that, with its NeoRuler and the M-Dice. A pair of measuring instruments that may assist each on the desk and away from it.
NeoRuler and M-Dice Overview: NeoRuler
The NeoRuler is mainly a substantial growth of the idea of the ruler. To start out with, you do not have the standard ruler performance of markings for centimeters and inches on the sides. And, as outfitted, it appears to be like extra like a set of calipers.
NeoRuler evaluation: The NeoRuler’s building
This takes the extra superior route of requiring a small show to really let you know how lengthy one thing is. As a substitute of measuring just by placing the ruler towards an object and utilizing your eyes, you as a substitute have to maneuver a bodily indicator alongside the size of the ruler, alongside a channel.
Doing so will show the measurement on the LCD show, in millimeters and inches.
NeoRuler evaluation: The show on the NeoRuler
That show is a 1.14-inch coloration LCD, with a decision of 240 by 135, and a pixel density of 240 pixels per inch. Decrease and smaller than the Apple Watch, however nonetheless very efficient and vivid sufficient for what it does.
This does not sound intuitive for what must be a easy gadget, however it does so in a reasonably helpful manner.
For instance, you would change the dimensions of what is being measured, between 100,000:1 and 1:100,000. If you happen to’re utilizing it with a plan of a home or a map, you would feasibly measure in toes, miles, meters, and kilometers.
Whereas there are indicators on the aspect that appear like a standard ruler, it would not straight supply measurements by itself. What it does do is illuminate to indicate the realm of the ruler that was used for the measurement, which is a superb visible reference level.
It additionally comes into play with the Area Divider perform. You possibly can set a distance between factors, and the lights will present the place every part ends and begins.
It’s also possible to improve the capabilities of the NeoRuler by utilizing add-on modules. The Neo Pointer is the default, with a bodily pointer used for measurements.
There are additionally extras, together with the Neo Magnifier that may amplify the factor you are measuring, and the Neo PenHolder for drawing traces whereas concurrently measuring.
NeoRuler evaluation: The open NeoCaliper
The Neo Caliper can flip the ruler into an digital caliper, which will help with measuring different bodily objects.
Being 13 inches lengthy, 1.7 inches large, and 0.39 inches thick, it is a bit chunkier than your customary ruler. At 6.4 ounces, it is also a good bit heavier, due to its aluminum alloy and stainless-steel building.
Inside is a 1,000mAh battery with USB-C charging, however you are most likely not going to want to recharge it that always. You possibly can rise up to 14 days of steady utilization beneath “complete energy consumption,” or 12 hours of steady use beneath its most consumption setting.
It additionally boasts 180 days of battery life when left in stand-by mode.
Whereas it has 93 built-in scales, together with 52 US Normal and 41 Metric variations, one can find it is simpler to handle what you are utilizing through the companion app. Connecting over Bluetooth 4.0, it may work with the Meazor App 2.0, which incorporates 4 themes, information lists, drawing modes, and choices to save lots of limitless personalized scales.
NeoRuler and M-Dice Overview: M-Dice
Whereas NeoRuler is useful for desk-based measuring, M-Dice gives measurements of many different issues.
At its core is the primary M-Dice itself, a laser measurement gadget that may deal with distances throughout a room with relative ease. The Single Laser gives precision over a distance of as much as 164 toes, whereas a Multi-functional Laser gives pace at a 10fps charge.
NeoRuler evaluation: The M-Dice system
Created from ABS and PC plastic, it measures 1.7 inches by 2.2 inches and 1.3 inches thick, and weighs 2.8 ounces. That is fairly small for a laser-based measurer.
There’s additionally a 1.89-inch IPS LCD show with a tempered glass touchscreen, and a decision of 240ppi, on one aspect. It is used to deal with a wide range of capabilities and visible parts, with no need a companion app.
Nevertheless, you possibly can nonetheless use the Meazor App 2.0 to deal with a wide range of duties.
By itself, it may deal with fairly a couple of capabilities, together with measuring distances, performing as a spirit stage, oblique measurements, quantity calculations, and extra. Nevertheless, you possibly can connect numerous add-on modules to extend its utility.
NeoRuler evaluation: The M-Dice’s laser
The primary is the Sensible Planner, which will help you map out the perimeter of a room for a floorplan. This seems each on the show and within the companion app, and may be exported in a wide range of codecs, together with DXF information readable in AutoCad.
The Bilateral Laser+ will increase the measuring capabilities by shining a laser from each ends, growing the utmost distance to 328 toes. There is a built-in angle sensor that may detect when it’s stage, in addition to a guide spirit stage for the person.
There’s even a cross-level laser characteristic that shines a big inexperienced cross on a wall.
The Scale Curler is used to roll alongside a web page or floor to find out a measurement, with a laser information telling you the place the measurement is being counted from. It additionally has 93 built-in scales, so you need to use it to measure distances to scale on a map or plan, for instance.
NeoRuler evaluation: The package deal, equipped in a case.
Very similar to the NeoRuler’s add-ons, you need to purchase these extras individually, or as a part of a package deal.
It has a 900mAh battery, which the corporate claims can final for as much as 12 hours of steady use with out add-ons, 14 days of normal use, or 90 days in standby.
NeoRuler and M-Dice Overview: Testing
I dwell close to Washington DC. The US Nationwide Institute of Requirements and Expertise just isn’t all that removed from my workplace, and I’ve carried out some consulting work for them within the distant previous.
So, I reached out to my contacts there to speak about how one can measure the accuracy of this stuff. I used to be instructed that measuring tapes are notoriously inaccurate, particularly in that first inch the place the mounting hook is positioned.
That is positive for many, assuming you employ the identical tape for measurements each at dwelling and away. The place issues fall down is once you combine your tape measure with measurements you might be able to discover at a house enchancment superstore.
So, we took our tools to an architect to check towards scales that they’d. The NeoRuler labored very well — and that testing allowed us to make use of the drafting package, virtually.
Briefly, two attachments to the NeoRuler enable the insertion of a drafting pencil. As a line is drawn, the extension travels with the pencil tip — and the way lengthy the road is, is displayed on the NeoRuler’s small show. Neat.
This, mixed with 93 built-in scales permits for straightforward switch of drafts to real-world measurements.
As a part of this testing, we introduced the M-Dice to a job website to judge sensible measurements in real-world utilization. The M-Dice laser unit is the core of the system, with attachments that keep on with the M-Dice.
For instance, information is handed to the Meazor app from the Bilateralal Laser attachment related to the M-Dice core, with a wall-to-wall measurement handed to the app by the combo. Or, the Sensible Planner when related can map out a room, beginning on the nook of a room, for instance.
In our case and our testing, the issues weren’t with the {hardware}, or software program, however with the meat controlling the unit. As an example, the Sensible Planner should depend on the human controlling the app taking the precise flip for correct mapping.
We strongly, strongly advocate a tripod for the M-Dice. The precision is unimaginable, however a tool held within the hand can have measurements impacted by the jitters of the holder.
On a tripod, we would get no variance from measurement to measurement. Held within the hand, we would rise up to a half-inch of distinction in a number of measurement runs.
The corporate claims a 50-meter distance is measurable within the daylight for every laser, so 100 meters for the bilateral attachment, however in sensible phrases, that is much less — and positive. If you happen to’re measuring 100 meters with this gadget, it is best to most likely take into account one thing else particularly meant for that distance.
NeoRuler and M-Dice Overview: Excellent & exact measurements
Measure twice and reduce as soon as typically turns into measure 5 occasions and reduce twice. As the price of wooden and different building supplies will increase, this will get pricey.
The pair have a little bit of a studying curve, however any precision instrumentation does. It helps to have some sensible expertise with laser measuring, however it’s not a deal-breaker as for as soon as, the software program is pretty much as good because the {hardware} is.
It is a very particular pair of merchandise, for a really particular person base. For many, an inexpensive laser measure from a kind of big-box shops will do for an occasional measuring activity.
When your wants are extra demanding and exact, it is the precise instrument for the job.
We have loaned out our loaner evaluation unit to a cabinetry store. We’ll be again to speak extra about this pair sooner or later, as soon as it has been within the fingers of actual professionals
For now, although, we will say that the pair are a superb set of instruments for newbie woodworkers, skilled architects, and extra.
NeoRuler and M-Dice Professionals
- Unbelievable, simple precision
- The Meazor 2.0 app is great, and pairs properly with the {hardware}
- Modular strategy to each the NeoRuler and M-Dice permits for straightforward growth
NeoRuler and M-Dice Cons
- Each module on the M-Dice wants a tripod gap
- Extremely cheap for what it’s, however easy laser measures are far cheaper
Score:4 out of 5
The place to purchase the NeoRuler
The NeoRuler Digital Scale Ruler is out there from Amazon beginning from $99.99. Bundles are additionally accessible, such because the NeoRuler Digital Caliper Premium Combo package, priced at $249.
The M-Dice is out there by itself for $59.99 from Amazon, with bundle pricing possibility additionally accessible.
