Komelon SM5416 Speed Mark Gripper Acrylic Coated Steel Blade Tape Measure 16-feet by 1-Inch, White Blade

Great

Better quality then the ones that are the metal casing/yellow tape measure where the lock never works ... this tape measure ROCKS!!! The white tape measure is easier on the eyes/easy to read and the lock feature actually works!!! I was doing a construction remodel at my house and my contractor misplaced his and borrowed ... he was eyeballing my tape measure afterwards ... I made sure that he knew it was mine and that if it came missing, I would know who took it (lol). Hopefully he ordered several for himself

Edit. 6 months later the tape is showing signs of rust along the edges. The full length. It has not been wet. ----- This tape really helped me easily measure in imperial after having grown up using decimal.

The Bad News: Its not made in the U.S.A., and that made it tough to buy at the outset. The Good News: You name it. Every feature of this Komelon tape measure is top tier. The accuracy, markings, horizontal extension, retraction strength, and overall fit and finish make it the best tape measure Ive ever owned.

I was a bit disappointed because I thought (from the questions and answers) that this was, like many other from this brand, an auto lock type, unlike most other tapes. This means that you pull it out and it stays where leave it until you release it and cause it to retract. This one is conventional, so you need to explicitly lock it. Like most tapes, you can lock it first, then pull it out, but you need to be careful not to accidentally press the release, which is easy to do. I do like the fact that it has fractions of an inch marked for every inch.

This tape measurer is a slight and yet massive improvement over the previous two from major brands that Ive owned for over 20 years. Sure, its got big numbers on it in case youre going blind, but the real kicker for me is the retraction speed is far more controlled and slower. Its not the standard issue tape measurer where you unlock the tape and watch it snake across the room at top speed before trying to bite your hand and face. Instead, it takes twice as long to retract and doesnt whip lash in every direction at all. I think thats because the tape itself seems to be made of much heavier and sturdier material so its heavier and it doesnt bend as easily. Thus, it is slower to gain speed, and loses speed/momentum while recoiling as it is effected by gravity or air pressure (instead of bending and storing that momentum as it whiplashes like a spaghetti noodle being sucked up, becoming more dangerous with more length of tape). Such a slight change makes all the difference. Another feature I like is that the outside is mostly rubber, mind the clip, so you can set it down on more sensitive surfaces such as stained wood without concern. It can also take a short drop too without cracking the tile. Again, another slight adjustment that makes all the difference.

I broke my old tape measure and saw this on one of the daily deals and ordered it without much thought. When it arrived I realized it had a feature I really like, reading the measures. It lists the fractions (1/8, 1/4, and so on) and lists the inches after 1 ft (11, 12, and so on) making it much easier to read than my old tape measure. Im glad I found this. And the price was great!

Love this - SO much easier to actually SEE the measurement numbers vs all the others that we have ESP handy when viewing overhead.

Just received this and it is great! Retract is fast. Locks & unlocks easily with one hand. But I didnt think it would be as heavy as it is. I didnt pay notice to the weight. It is sturdy and is going to last a long time for sure. Told my 29year old grandson its his when I die, and Not until! Hes already eyeing it. This is a good product and well worth the money.

Surprisingly good tape measurer. Wide body looks like description. Black cover has good soft feel. The pics of it show a white face which is why I ordered it (tired of yellow and hard to read) but it is actually lt blue. Not a deal breaker still easier to read. Lock is just right and easy to use. Good solid spring retractor without slamming it. Ive been through a lot of tapes and am amazed to see quality and price on this item hence the gushing review : ) Edit - after using for 3 months the end rivet broke off while retracting. Ordering another one because it had become my fav tape. A little disappointed and if happens again will be moving to a different brand...