This sophisticated, yet easy-to-use, electronic device is actually two tools in one: First, it’s a bright-light laser level that projects both horizontal and vertical lines. It’s equipped with an auto-leveling feature that permits quick setup without sacrificing accuracy. The lasers are accurate within 1/8 inch over 20 feet.

Second, the BDL500S is a digital measurer that lets you quickly and accurately measure distances up to 999 feet! Simply roll the tool across a wall, floor, ceiling or other flat surface, and the measurement is automatically displayed on the LCD screen. It’s also equipped with a really cool feature alled AccuSpace, which allows you to electronically measure a wall, and punch in the number of pictures you want to hang. The tool then automatically divides the distance and tells how far apart to hang the pictures for equal spacing in between.

The BDL500S is nearly 11 inches tall and weighs about two pounds. Use it to hang framed photos, paintings and other wall-mounted objects, and to precisely align floorboards, ceramic tile and suspended-ceiling grids. The tool comes with a protective storage case and two AA-size batteries. -- Joseph Truini

Customer Reviews Average rating - 4.0

Rating - 4 Date: 2008-06-16
Content: I orded two of these Black & Decker Combination Tools for my Father and my Father in law for Father's Day. I was very disappointed to discover that when they opened them, the batteries were corroded! That is why I only gave this product a 4 star. It was embarrassing to give a gift with corroded batteries. It made me think these were old products.
Summary: Black & Decker Combination Tool

Rating - 3 Date: 2007-12-25
Content: It's a pretty neat tool, the only problem is this is not actually a sonic measurer, which is the main reason I bought it. The batteries that came with it were all corroded as well.

So far, besides the fact that I got bad, leaking batteries and that it doesn't actually do what Amazon says it does, it's good.
Summary: Not A Sonic Measuerer

Rating - 1 Date: 2007-08-02
Content: First of all, there is nothing 'SONIC' in the measuring capabilities of this tool. You need to roll the tool across a smooth surface to measure distance between two points.

The unit is made of cheap plastic with a couple of rubber grips. The leveler on/off button feels as if its going to come off if I use it one more time. The buttons in the front get stuck into the unit sometimes and need to give them a few seconds to come out.

When I ordered this tool (my bad that I did not read the complete description of the product on Amazon), I was expecting a tool to measure distances that uses 'sonic' (ultrasound, to be more precise) waves. Rolling the unit on a surface to measure distances is absolutely not something I had in mind.

Though I didn't like the bulkiness of this unit, I was prepared for that already as I read that in a couple of previous reviews on this product and checked the product dimensions. But if you need to roll it to measure distance, you need a wide rolling path.

I don't think it's worth even <$40 price I paid. I am sending it back to Amazon.
Summary: Warning: Flimsy product & not a "Sonic Measurer" as the product title says

Rating - 5 Date: 2007-07-30
Content: Although we're fairly avid do-it-yourselfers, this is our first laser level. It is very easy to use. I love the vertical/horizontal feature. It does require a small hole in the wall to hang it on, but we haven't found that to be a problem.

It also works well lying on the floor for aligning tile, etc. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it for the average DIY-er.
Summary: Very practical and easy to use

Rating - 5 Date: 2007-07-13
Content: My wife and I just moved in to a house and had tons of pictures to hang. This tool made the job a piece of cake! It replaced both my tape measure and leveling bubble. The measuring tool makes finding the center of a wall or spacing multiple pictures evenly almost automatic. The laser is bright and easy to see making the leveling process a snap. I would say it cuts my time in half if not more.

My only minor issue would be the way it attaches to the wall when using the laser level. The unit comes with a holder that uses a small nail. You hang the tool from the holder on the wall. When you are done you have made an extra hole in the wall from the holder. I would suggest having someone hold the unit against the wall if possible avoiding the use of the holder. When alone, I try to mount the holder way off to the side of the wall where the hole is less visible or spackle and paint. This is a minor problem but one I did not anticipate when I bought it. It would not have changed my purchasing decision and I still give it 5 stars (that one little hole has probably saved me a lot of other bigger holes).

The bottom line is if you hang pictures or shelves, you will love this tool! It saves a lot of time and the result is perfectly hung pictures and shelves every time.

Summary: Great tool makes an often difficult job easy!