The Bosch PLR 50 C is one of their higher end laser distance measurement devices which boasts accurate laser measurement up to 50m with an accuracy of 2mm in additional to angle measurement and leveling functions. With the ability to quickly sum up lengths as well as calculate volume and area, it is an extremely versatile tool for any DIY enthusiast or contractors.
The Bosch range of laser measurement devices can be bought at most major hardware outlets, they’re also widely available online.
Here are links to a few of the laser measurement devices in the range which are available on Amazon:
- Bosch GLM 35 Compact Laser Measurement Device – Buy Here
- Bosch GLM 50 C With Bluetooth – Buy Here
- Bosch GLR 825 Long Range Measurement Device – Buy Here
Lets have a look at the PLR 50 C…
Whats In The Box
Included in the box or plastic packaging (depending on the region and model) is the PLR device, a handy cover, batteries and a small wrist strap.
Technical Specs
- Measurement Range: 0.05 – 50.00m (0.16 – 164ft)
- Accuracy: 2mm (0.08″)
- Weight: 0.13kg (0.28lbs)
- Measurement Time: 0.5s
- Batteries: 3 x 1.5V AAA
- Laser Diode: 635nm
Basic Measurement Functions
The PLR 50 C is really easy to use, it has a single button to turn on and off as well as take measurements. All other settings and mode changes are done through the colour touch screen display.
There are two primary settings for the mode, the type of measurement and the zero reference point – the point at which the measurement is taken from.
The measurement type selection lets you choose between length, continuous length (giving you maximum and minimum), area, volume, angle, level and then three forms of indirect measurement which use trigonometry to calculate heights or distances based on two distance measurements and the angle of the device.
Three zero reference point settings are provided. These tell the unit where to take the measurement from, the front of the device, the back of the device or from the plastic clip on the bottom used for measurements from corners or tight spaces.
Measurements are really simple to take. Once you’ve selected your mode, you press the button once to activate the laser pointer to direct you measurement point and then press again to take the measurement.
If you’ve selected the area function, the pointer will come on again after the first measurement and you’ll line up the second then push the button and the two measurements will be displayed along with the calculated area.
The volume measurement works in a similar manner but with once extra button push for the third distance measurement.
Angle Measurement And Levelling Functions
Another useful feature is the inclusion of an inclinometer which lets you measure angles or alignment.
The angle measurement interface is also really simple with a display indicting the angle and a beeping tone when the device is perfectly horizontal or vertical.
There is also a sort of spirit level function which allows the unit to lie on its back for levelling tables, counter tops or other flat surfaces. Again, the unit emits a beep tone when the ball is perfectly centred.
App Interface
Perhaps one of the most powerful features of the Bosch PLR 50 C is the app interface. The app is a very well thought out tool which enables you to take photos of your work, organised into projects or locations, and then automatically transfer measurements from the device via bluetooth and overlay them onto the photos.
This enables you as a DIYer or a contractor to take photos of a room or area, overlay measurements and then save the sketch to your phone to take along to your DIY store or interior designer etc.. You can also automatically compile your project into a PDF file to email through to your contractor or designer.
The PLR 50 C is really easy to pair to your phone via bluetooth and pops up in the app for you to select without any further setup.
You’re then able to create a project, take a photo and begin dropping measurements onto the image. You can also add notes or text and edit dimensions as you need.
You can add lengths, areas and angle measurements directly into your photos.
The app keeps your projects organised with customisable names and thumbnails. All of your information is automatically saved and projects can be created or deleted as required.
Likes And Dislikes
Likes
- The PLR 50 C is easy to use. All of the options are graphically represented and easy to find.
- The device is very accurate. I compared the results to a number of physical measurements and they were always spot on.
- The range of functions and reference point settings make it an amazingly versatile tool. This is an accurate 50m measuring tape, level, calculator, log book, and height estimator (for trig based measurements) in a mobile phone sized package. You no longer need to carry a notepad and pen around with you.
- The app is fantastic for home projects or for contractors who need to quickly take measurements for quotations and quantities and keep them well organise.
- It is small, reasonably durable and with its pouch it fits into your pocket or bag really easily.
Dislikes
- The PLR 50 C is quite expensive. Granted it does do a lot and with the colour touch screen and bluetooth functionality it is the flagship model. But paying over $100 for a device which competes with a measuring tape is hard to justify unless you use it daily or at least weekly.
- The capacitive touch screen works well and is really responsive but only works with a physical skin touch. You can’t use the back of a pencil or gloves to operate the display which is sometimes an issue when you’re busy with DIY projects.
- It takes AAA batteries. The battery life is fairly impressive and you’ll get well over a week’s worth of work out of a set but I would have liked to have seen a USB based rechargeable interface rather than having to carry replacement batteries around.
Final Thoughts
The PLC 50 C is a fantastic tool for your DIY or contractor toolbox. It makes taking measurements a whole lot quicker and easier. It is extremely versatile and accurate and the app does away with the need to carry a notepad and pen around.
The price is a little high but it really is worth it to get the app interface, you definitely won’t be disappointed. If you feel like you can do without the app then go for the basic version and you’ll save quite a bit of money.
Let us know what you think of the Bosch PLR measurement devices in the comments section below. If you’ve enjoyed this review, have a look at these 7 power tools to make your DIY work easier.
Thank you for the review!
Do you know how this compares to the GLM 50C, especially when it comes to accuracy?
The GLM versions are theoretically accurate to 1.5mm while this is at 2mm according to the specs.
Thanks!
Hi Theo,
The two units are largely the same. The PLR is considered to be a DIY device and the GLM is part of the “professional” series. The only technical difference is the listed 0.5mm difference in accuracy although you’d probably not notice the difference. Neither of these devices are really designed for millimeter accuracy.
Other differences are that the GLM has physical buttons where the PLR is a touch screen (apart from the measurement button). The GLM also takes 4 x AAA batteries where the PLR takes 3 x AAA batteries.
I would make the decision based on whether you prefer working with a touch screen or physical buttons as well as what price you can get either at. The PLR series is often quite a bit cheaper than the GLM series.
Thanks! I ordered the PLR 50C as it is on discount right now at Amazon.de for €57, while the GLM 50C is €109, so nearly twice as much.
But I was hoping that I could get mm accuracy, as you said in your review the results where “spot on” when compared to tape measure (other reviews confirm this)
Hi Theo,
That’s great!
I think it also depends on what you are gong to be measuring. The quoted accuracy would be a worst case scenario, so with a tool like this it would likely be at its maximum measurement range at around 50m. I doubt that you’d be able to get millimeter accuracy with any sort of tape measure at that distance either, you can’t see the end of the tape, the tape stretches with longer lengths and changes length (marginally) with temperature. For smaller measurements, I’d say up to around 5m, you’d probably get under a millimeter accurate results reliably. I only use my PLR for measurements around the home so these are typically in the 1m to 4m range and occasionally up to 10m or so and I’ve been very happy with the accuracy.
Thanks Michael. This is exactly how I intent to use this device as well.
These laserdistancetools were just under objective test in a Finnish DIY magazine Tee Itse. Selection included devices under 200€ and along with Bosch PRL 50 C there was also Bosch Professional series blue device GLM 40. Bosch PRL 50 C was unbeatable in every aspect and got amazing 10 out of 10 points, so maximum test points possible. The greatest thing was that the accuracy in the range of 5 meters were 0. Which means that the measurements under 5 meters were precise. Not a singel tenth of a millimeter longer or shorter than the mechanical reference bar. And when measuring 30 m range, the accuracy were within 2 mm which is acceptable considering the distance and all the tradiotional measuring tools with which you cannot get the same accuracy no matter how hard you try. In Finland the PRL 50 C and GLM 50 C are sold at exactly the same price 149€. Also mechanical structure is more sturdy in this PRL 50 C. GLM series has problems with rubber coating of the edges, which is very easily broken and the battery compartment has cheap plasticy feeling and the idea of dropping the device does not sound good whereass the magazine Tee Itse mentioned that PRL 50 C can take some beating and drops without problems of breaking down. So my own selection turned towards PRL model because I use it inside and no need of handling it with gloves on. GLM models are better for construction builders and outside workers because it has physical buttons which you can press with your gloves on. But the machine itself is pretty much the same inside.
Hi i had purchased this plr 50.. Me just want to know how to change the measurement units of the device from meter to feet n inches.. please reply
Hi Hareesh,
Not all of these PLR devices can be changed between metric and imperial units. There are certain regions where they sell a few models that can operate in both. My model can’t be changed to feet/inches.
Can the PLR 50C measure irregular areas such as a triangle or a trapesium?
No, it doesn’t have this facility. It can only measure square/rectangular areas and volumes.
One thing I find a bit annoying is that I haven’t found a way of using the laser when Im measuring angles. I use this in my work as a light designer, trying to find correct angle for front light.
Hello.
I wonder if the level function can be used when measuring a length greater than 5-10 meters. Professional LDMs have an integrated level (digital or normal) to be sure that when you measure a length the laser beam is exactly horizontal. Even an inclination of a few degrees can cause measurement errors if the distance you have to measure is greater than 10m. In fact, this seems to me to be the main difference between the Bosch PLR 50 C and the professional series from Bosh. Although PLR has a level function, it can only be used separately, not during measurement, as a method of verification and accuracy, as professional LDMs have. At least that’s what I understood from everything I’ve read and seen about the Bosch PLR 50 C. That’s the only thing that still makes me think about the purchase…
Helo.
I wonder if the level function can be used when measuring a length greater than 5-10 meters. Professional LDMs have an integrated level (digital or normal) to be sure that when you measure a length the laser beam is exactly horizontal. Even an inclination of a few degrees can cause measurement errors if the distance you have to measure is greater than 10m. In fact, this seems to me to be the main difference between the Bosch PLR 50 C and the professional series from Bosh. Although PLR has a level function, it can only be used separately, not during measurement, as a method of verification and accuracy, as professional LDMs have. At least that’s what I understood from everything I’ve read and seen about the Bosch PLR 50 C. That’s the only thing that still makes me think about the purchase…