I tried the world's first professional digital tape measure at £229 — and it's completely changed how I do DIY

As a keen DIYer and amateur carpenter I am regularly measuring to make sure I get the perfect cut and size, which can get extremely repetitive.

"Measure twice, cut once" is a mantra I've often used when doing my projects, so having a tool that can make this easier was a must-have.

So when I saw the REEKON Tomahawk professional digital laser tape measure I quickly realised how useful it could be, but I didn't expect it to be quite as useful as it turned out.

How does it work?

The T1 Tomahawk, which can be bought on Amazon for £229, works quite differently to your standard tape measure.

The dots underneath the tape tell the T1 the length it has been drawn out by and duel sensors inside the tape register any errors with the tape in case it becomes damaged in anyway.

Plus, if you're measuring in a tight space and need to include the tape measure body in your measurement, the T1 Tomahawk will automatically calculate the length of the tape measure into the measurement by clicking the 'toggle back' setting.

Capable of saving 500 measurements

Image 1 of 3

Previously when measuring I would keep a notebook or scrap block of wood to keep track of what measurements I needed.

But the T1 Tomahawk removes that need with all my measurements being saved on the device itself. You then just click to see them on the digital display. So there's no more wondering how to read a tape measure or what that diamond on a tape measure means.

The T1 Tomahawk saves up to 500 measurements – plenty of capacity – meaning it is unlikely that the user will ever need to worry about keeping paper records of what's been measured.

What's also handy is that measurements can be taken in millimeters, centimeters, inches or feet as well as being able to easily convert them between different units of measurement on your display screen.

Additionally, with its Bluetooth connection you can easily connect the T1 to your phone by downloading the Reekon Tools Rock Jobsite app to keep your measurements stored elsewhere.

Laser function makes drawing lines easy

Image 1 of 4

Another function of the T1 Tomahawk is the built-in green laser that makes aligning surfaces and marking straight lines simple.

If you're measuring a curved surface and want to know the length of it you can use the laser function to find the edge by lining it up with the laser.

The laser function points in the direction of the tape measure and once the T1 finds the center point for you (another handy function) you can hold the T1 in place and draw a line to show the cutting line down the centre.

This is a unique innovation not currently seen elsewhere in the market.

Large magnetic blade that makes measuring easier

One of the most practical features of the T1 tomahawk is it large, magnetic blade, capable of sticking to, or holding up objects.

The blade, or hook, is more than twice the size of other tape measures meaning it is easier to hold onto the ends of what I am sizing up.

Reekon will also replace these blades if they ever become damaged, although this is unlikely as the blades, as well as the entire tape measure, is extremely sturdy with rubber coating across most surfaces.

Holster makes storage simple

There's also a holster to carry the T1 Tomahawk around in, with a locking system to make sure it doesn't fall out easily.

The case is very much needed as this is a far heavier tape measure than any I've used, but this is understandable due to its many features and 25 foot tape length.

But if you don't want to use the case (often I wouldn't) then you can use the hook that's on the tape measure to easily store it or hang on your belt or pocket.

How does it compare to more traditional tape measures?

Standard tape measures with manual pulls tend to be cheaper, don't require batteries and are simpler to use, so why have I swapped these for the T1?

Simply put, the T1 Tomahawk does everything quicker and makes doing my projects faster and more precise as it reduces human error during measuring.

Plus its Bluetooth capability and e-paper display removes the headache of taking note of each measurement and I can be sure the accuracy is always within 0.5mm either way, more accurate than I could ever make it with a regular tape measure.

Additionally, standard tape measures typically have lengths around 5 metres, such as the TEFCOL Retractable Tape Measure, which is available on Amazon for £6.99, but the T1 Tomahawk comes in at 7.62 metres, so is larger than most tape measures on the market.

Final verdict

Switching to the Reekon T1 Tomahawk Digital Tape Measure has been a game-changer for me. Yes, it's on the pricey side, but the time and frustration it saves have already made up for the cost.

If you don't make regular measurements and aren't constantly doing DIY you may not see the full benefits of the T1 Tomahawk and a standard tape measure will do everything you need.

But if you're like me and you're constantly in the workshop then the T1 is well worth the purchase and will mean you'll never need to buy any other tape measure again as they simply cannot live up to the T1.

In summary, the REEKON T1 Tomahawk Digital Tape Measure has genuinely revolutionised the measuring experience for me.

While its higher price might deter casual users with more common tape measures like the Stanley tape measure, available for just £5.49 on Amazon, being more suitable for their needs, the precision, time-saving convenience, and advanced features it offers make it a powerful tool for those who frequently work on projects.

If you're looking to elevate your tool kit with a digital tape measure that combines technology and durability, the T1 Tomahawk is well worth the investment.