Komelon PSE55E 5M/16' Metric Self-Lock Tape Measure, Yellow/Black

I have had this brand before this, a smaller one but finally left it out in the rain and it died. Replaced with this and I simply love it. The auto stop push button release is still as great as my old one but this has a crazy vivid easy to read color and print. The print is on both sides of the tape which I've never seen, and it has a double sided... catcher? foot? hook? Whatever holds the tape at the end of what you're measuring. Would unquestionably buy this thing again.

I am a licensed electrician and plumber and obviously have used a few tape measures in my career. Recently I have gotten into welding and fabrication as a hobby and possible a new business. Using the metric system over SAE has actually helped be more accurate and consistent as well as save time. The rest of the world knows this already... This tape has both SAE for materials and hardware here in the US but metric on the other half, top and bottom sides of tape, make measuring easy. I have looked everywhere for a solid tape. This beats the usual common brands by far

I had bought the 16ft measure a few years ago and loved it. While measuring something the other day, I had stepped on it and flattened the tape. I forced the tape back into the casing and when I'd pull it out a little, it resisted, and would not auto rewind. So I went and bought the 25' to replace the 16' I sadly broke. While waiting for the new one to arrive, I fiddled with the 16' a bit more, pulling it all the way out and then letting it rewind and it worked fine and is close to how it once was (the tape still has a little bit of flatness where I stepped on it but it doesn't seem to hinder any longer)I will be keeping the 25' because it's just such a really great tape measurer! I love how it locks by default when you pull the tape out and you press the button to release it, rather than the reverse of it retracting unless you press the button. It took a little to get used to but not very long and now I definitely prefer the auto lock with the press to release.Clearly, I'd buy the product again because this was a 2nd purchase. I went directly to my old orders on Amazon to find it so I knew I was replacing it with the same thing (because you know how amazon can be, although even going directly to the product doesn't always guarantee accuracy)I like how large the print is- my eyesight isn't great and it's nice to not squint to see the numbers or the increments. i got a different color so I'd be able to quickly discern which tape is which. It's very rugged- the older one having been dropped numerous times without any issues. And, as stated above, it's incredibly resilient when some flat footed dolt stands on it for awhile and flattens the tape.

I purchased this a couple years ago for my son who was doing some construction work for me. Last week we were on another project for his sister and it got stepped on while it was extended and on its edge. That put a fold in it and when I tried to flatten it back out a piece cracked. I cut off the loose piece but even though it looked like the rest was returned to the original shape it would not retract. Thank goodness for Prime (and our backup 25' tape).

I like the clear markings. Product feels solid. 1 year in and the locking mechanism no longer works. The mechanism is such that I can't manually lock, it slides closed when you let go of the tape.

I have written about this before - I now have three of these. One for the shop. One for home. One in the toolbox to carry around. All in all - the best tape I have used in years. Oh, I like other tapes too. But all round I love the auto hold on this. Just a good, useful tool.

Used one at work, came straight home and ordered on. Auto brake is super handy.

I sometimes need to measure things in both Metric and Imperial units, and this does both. Easy to read, even in low light. Vertical measurements are printed on the back. It locks automatically, and a push button releases it. It is well built and has a good price.