Bosch Professional Tape Measure 5 m / 16 ft, Auto-Lock, 22 mm blade - 1600A03AB8

Bosch Professional Tape Measure 5 m / 16 ft, Auto-Lock

This is the Bosch Professional tape measure with a 5 m blade, 22 mm wide, with automatic locking (Auto-Lock) and a double-sided printed scale. Article 1 600 A03 AB8. Among hand tools the tape measure is the most reached-for and the most underrated - the difference between a good one and a bad one shows every day, on every single measurement.

Why 22 mm of blade width is the figure that counts

Blade width determines how far the blade stands out before it buckles - the property known as standout. Here it is 2.1 m. In practice that means one person can measure a door opening, a wall run or a beam overhead without someone holding the other end. A narrow blade folds at a metre and turns measuring into a two-person job.

Auto-Lock

The blade locks by itself - no button to hold to stop it retracting. Pull it out, read it, press release and it returns. That is different from a tape with a manual brake, where one hand is occupied by the button exactly when you need it for the pencil.

Accuracy Class II

The blade is rated to EU Accuracy Class II, the European classification for permissible deviation in measuring tapes. For construction and installation work that is the working class; Class I is for finer applications and is priced accordingly. The blade carries a nylon coating that protects the printing - on uncoated tapes the figures are rubbed away by site grit and dust within a season.

Double-sided scale and belt clip

The scale is printed on both sides of the blade, which makes it readable with the tape inverted - measuring upwards or overhead. The case has a belt clip and a rubber overmould, and at 252 g it does not drag on your belt all day.

Technical specifications

Questions and Answers