NeoRuler Review: NeoRuler and M-Cube
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NeoRuler
4.0/5 Buy on Amazon
Hozo Design Offers a Pair of Digital Measuring Instruments in The NeoRuler and M-Cube, both of which aim to improve the accuracy and simplicity of micro and macro measurements.
Measurements are an area that hasn't really seen that much real innovation over the years. The humble ruler even less so.
Hozo Design aims to change that with the NeoRuler and M-Cube. A pair of measuring tools that can help both at and away from the desk.
NeoRuler and M-Cube Review: NeoRuler
The NeoRuler is essentially a major expansion of the ruler concept. For starters, you don't have the usual functionality of a ruler with centimeter and inch markings on the edges. And, as stated, it looks more like a set of calipers.
NeoRuler Review: The NeoRuler's Design
This is a more advanced route that requires a small display to actually show you how long something is. Instead of just holding a ruler up to an object and using your eyes, you instead need to move a physical indicator along the length of the ruler, along a channel.
This will display the measurement on the LCD in millimeters and inches.
NeoRuler Review: The NeoRuler Display
This display is a 1.14-inch color LCD with a resolution of 240 by 135 and a pixel density of 240 pixels per inch. Lower and smaller than the Apple Watch, but still very effective and bright enough for what it does.
It doesn't sound intuitive for what should be a simple device, but it makes for a pretty useful experience.
For example, you can change the scale of the measured object between 100,000:1 and 1:100,000. If you use it with a house plan or map, you can actually measure in feet, miles, meters, and kilometers.
While there are indicators on the side that look like a regular ruler, it doesn’t offer measurements on its own. It lights up to show the area of the ruler that was used to measure, which is a great visual reference.
It also comes into play with the Space Divider feature. You can set the distance between dots, and the indicators will show where each section ends and begins.
You can also expand the capabilities of NeoRuler by using additional modules. Neo Pointer is the default module, with a physical pointer used for measurements.
There are also additional capabilities, including Neo Magnifier, which can magnify the object you’re measuring, and Neo PenHolder, for drawing lines while measuring.
NeoRuler Review: Open NeoCaliper
The Neo Caliper can turn a ruler into an electronic caliper, which can help with measuring other physical objects.
At 13 inches long, 1.7 inches wide, and 0.39 inches thick, it’s a little thicker than a standard ruler. At 6.4 ounces, it’s also a little heavier, thanks to its aluminum alloy and stainless steel construction.
There’s a 1,000 mAh battery inside that charges via USB-C, but you probably won’t have to charge it that often. You can get up to 14 days of continuous use on the “comprehensive power consumption” setting, or 12 hours of continuous use on the maximum consumption setting.
It also boasts 180 days of battery life on standby.
While it has 93 built-in scales, including 52 US standard versions and 41 metric versions, you'll find it's easier to manage what you're using through the companion app. Connecting via Bluetooth 4.0, it can work with the Meazor 2.0 app, which includes four themes, data lists, drawing modes, and options to save unlimited custom scales.
NeoRuler and M-Cube Review: M-Cube
While the NeoRuler is great for tabletop measurements, the M-Cube offers measurements for many other things.
At its core is the M-Cube itself, a laser measuring device that can measure distances indoors with relative ease. The single laser provides accuracy up to 164 feet away, while the multi-function laser delivers speed at 10 frames per second.
NeoRuler Review: The M-Cube System
Made from ABS plastic and polycarbonate, it measures 1.7 by 2.2 inches and is 1.3 inches thick, weighing 2.8 ounces. That's pretty light for a laser measuring device.
There is also a 1.89-inch IPS LCD display with a tempered glass touchscreen and a resolution of 240 pixels per inch on one side. It is used to handle various functions and visual elements without the need for a companion app.
However, you can still use the Meazor App 2.0 for various tasks.
On its own, it can do quite a lot of things, including measuring distances, acting as a spirit level, indirect measurements, volume calculations, and more. However, you can attach various add-on modules to increase its usefulness.
NeoRuler Review: M-Cube Laser
The first is the Smart Planner, which can help you map out the perimeter of a room for a floor plan. It displays both on the display and in the companion app, and can be exported to a variety of formats, including AutoCad-readable DXF files.
The Dual-Sided Laser+ expands your measurement capabilities by illuminating both ends of the laser, increasing the maximum distance to 328 feet. There’s a built-in angle sensor that can detect when it’s level, as well as a hand-held spirit level for the user.
There’s even a laser cross-level feature that projects a large green cross onto the wall.
The Scale Roller is used to roll across a page or surface to determine a measurement, with a laser pointer showing you where the measurement is coming from. It also has 93 built-in scales, so you can use it to measure distances for scaling on a map or plan, for example.
NeoRuler Review: Kit Comes in a Case
Like the NeoRuler add-ons, you need to buy these add-ons separately or as part of a kit.
It has a 900mAh battery that the company says can last up to 12 hours of continuous use without add-ons, 14 days of typical use, or 90 days on standby.
NeoRuler and M-Cube Review: Testing
I live just outside of Washington, D.C. The National Institute of Standards and Technology is not too far from my office, and I've done some consulting work for them in the distant past.
So I reached out to my contacts there to discuss how to measure the accuracy of these items. I've been told that tape measures are notoriously inaccurate, especially in that first inch where the mounting hook is located.
That’s fine for most people, as long as you use the same tape measure for both home and away measurements. Things fall apart when you mix your tape measure with measurements you can find at a home improvement store.
So we took our equipment to an architect to compare with the scales he had. The NeoRuler worked really well — and this testing allowed us to put the drafting kit to use.
In short, the two attachments on the NeoRuler allow you to insert a drafting pencil. As you draw a line, the extension moves with the tip of the pencil — and how long the line is is shown on the NeoRuler’s small display. Neat.
This, combined with the 93 built-in scales, makes it easy to translate drawings into real-world measurements.
As part of this testing, we brought the M-Cube to a construction site to evaluate practical measurements in real conditions. The M-Cube laser unit is the core of the system with attachments that attach to the M-Cube.
For example, data is transmitted to the Meazor app from the Bilateral Laser attachment connected to the M-Cube core, with wall-to-wall measurements transmitted to the combo app. Or the Smart Planner, when connected, can map a room starting from the corner of the room, for example.
In our case and our testing, the shortcomings were not due to the hardware or software, but to the meat of the control unit. For example, the Smart Planner must rely on the person operating the app making the correct rotation for accurate mapping.
We highly recommend a tripod for the M-Cube. The accuracy is incredible, but if you hold the device in your hand, the measurements will be affected by the shake of the holder.
On a tripod, we would not get any deviations from measurement to measurement. Holding it in our hand, we would get up to half an inch of difference in a few measurement cycles.
The company claims that 50 meters can be measured in daylight for each laser, so 100 meters for the dual-sided mount, but in practice it’s less — and that’s fine. If you’re measuring 100 meters with this unit, you should probably consider something else that’s specifically designed for that distance.
NeoRuler and M-Cube Review: Outstanding and Precise Measurements
Measure twice and cut once often turns into measure five times and cut twice. As the cost of lumber and other building materials rises, this becomes expensive.
There is a bit of a learning curve with the pair, but that is the case with any precision tool. It helps to have some hands-on experience with laser measurements, but it is not a deal breaker as the software is as good as the hardware this time around.
This is a very specific pair of products for a very specific user base. For most, a cheap laser measurer from one of those big box stores will do the trick for the occasional measuring task.
When your needs are more demanding and precise, this is the right tool for the job.
We loaned our review unit to a cabinet maker. We will be back to talk more about this pair in the future once it gets into the hands of real professionals.
But for now, we can say that this pair is an excellent set of tools for hobbyist carpenters, professional architects, and more.
NeoRuler and M-Cube Pros
- Incredible, lightweight accuracy
- The Meazor 2.0 app is excellent and pairs well with the hardware
- The modular approach to NeoRuler and M-Cube allows for easy expansion
NeoRuler and M-Cube Cons
- Each M-Cube module requires a hole for a tripod
- Incredibly inexpensive for what it is, but easy laser measurements far cheaper
Rating: 4 out of 5
Where to Buy the NeoRuler
The NeoRuler Digital Caliper is available on Amazon starting at $99.99. Bundles are also available, such as the NeoRuler Digital Caliper Premium Combo kit for $249.
The M-Cube is available separately for $59.99 on Amazon, with a bundle pricing option also available.
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