BMI Tape

[Chris Parks]

I bought one of these a few months ago.... The first tape shown not the version with the level.

I must admit I always thought they were a bit of a gimmick and have been pleasantly surprised that it has now become my got to tape if I have to use one. Actually I bought two, a 3 metre version from Ebay with both imperial and metric on it and this week a two metre version from Carbatec. I got a bit annoyed with the three metre version as I hold the tape in my right hand and the imperial scale is at the top when held that way so I lashed out and bought the two metre metric version.

The three metre is a bit hard to come by in Oz and it must only be available in dual scale. There are two versions of the tape, one with a brake and one without the brake and both mine have the brake. The markings are very crisp and clear and one thing I do like is the end of the tape does not have a sliding hook, no hook at all in fact. If anyone is looking for a tape to use in the workshop, carry in their pocket etc I highly recommend they try one. It also comes with a belt hook which I have never used.

[China]

Personally I think they are a PIA

[derekcohen]

I have the 3m version, and quite like it. It is more like a rolled up ruler than a traditional tape measure. It is stiff and will extend without support, and it lies flat when marking. I also only measure to the end like a ruler - there is no hook.

My only beef is that the lock is opposite to other tapes - you hold down the button to push in the tape.

Regards from Perth

Derek

[Chris Parks]

Personally I think they are a PIA

In the interests of balanced revues can you tell us what you don't like about it. I will give you $5 for the one you have.

[derekcohen]

I'll give you $6.

Regards from Perth

Derek

[Chris Parks]

I'll give you $6.

Regards from Perth

Derek

Damn, that blew my budget, it's all your Derek.

[Optimark]

I've been running these "Quicky" (that is their name) measuring tapes for some years now. I have a couple of the 2m units from Australia, plus some I picked up in Germany 2 years ago, with more I bought from German Ebay a few months ago for a friend.

They are manufactured by BMI in northern Bavaria, and, as far as I understand it, they are a family business and family owned. Their measuring products are quite innovative and are manufactured to exacting standards. Bayerische Maßindustrie (BMi) I think the rough translation is Bavarian Machine Industry Pty Ltd.

Regardless, they are a joy to use and once you have used the second model with the lever in the centre, generally speaking you wouldn't think of using the unit that uses a rubber "O" ring to hold the tape in place.

I have 5 of these in various places in my shed. The most used ones are at my mitre (or drop) saw with another attached to my Triton saw bench. The plastic belt holder is great for the "O" ring models, but not that flash with the lever units.

For sheet material, they are a breeze as you can use the rule as a straight line to mark the material with a pencil or other such marking device.

They are extremely light and compact to carry in a pocket, waterproof and are handy to have with you.

The Australian Distributor, who ever they are, will not import the 3m unit as they don't understand that the real strength of these units is for 2.4m sheet material measuring. The 2m unit just doesn't cut it.

As for the stupidity of only bringing in a dual tape measure, we only have ourselves to blame. A lot of the talk on this forum, is in feet and inch measurements, with a minor amount talking in metric. I, like most of my generation (I am retired now) was brought up with minimal to no knowledge of the metric system. Until I was basically an adult I didn't really understand it, but a quick trip to Europe opened my eyes to the metric system and the ease with which one could calculate and measure; I switched then and there.

Here is a link to German Ebay. The tape in the picture is a 2m unit, but scroll down and you will see they talk about the 3m unit. The vendor does not have an offer to send to Australia, but if you ask direct I would suggest you may find they are willing. The indicated price of EUR8.52 includes the German version of GST, which is somewhere around 17% or maybe even higher now.

Bandmaß BMImeter Länge 3m m. Stopper rostfreies Stahlbandmaß BMI | eBay

Mick.