FastCapPMS-16 Auto Lock ProCarpenter Tape Measure

Absolute best tape measure that I own. It has all the scales and readings I need as a woodworker. It has both imperial and metric measurements as well as markers for a 32mm layout system. Auto lock feature works great and has many other nice features that are less important to me. I’ll be purchasing a couple more.

Really nice tape measure. Very handy to have both SAE and Metric lengths on one tape measure.The lock works easily and reliably, both to lock and release.I like the belt clip. There's a thumb lever to pinch the hook open so it goes easily on thick belts or on floppy pants pockets.The hook catches well. The hook on all tape measures obscures graduations in the first inch of the tape but the hook on this ProCarpenter is better than many other tape measures for leaving some of that first inch visible.In using another FastCap tape measure I found the pencil sharpener to be unexpectedly handy--not just a gimmick.The heavy duty belt clip is a nice bonus since the tape measure already has a nice price. I know from experience that these belt clips work well. Note that the pencil holder works fine for very short pencils and while you're actively marking stuff. The pencil sharpener works.The belt clip also has two holes in the clip so you can mount it on a wall or workbench. I have several mounted in my workshop so I can always find a tape measure without delay.Unfortunately for me, I ordered this FastCap tape measure as a gift. I'll just have to order another for myself.

Automatic lock feature is fantastic. I’ve never hade a tape that did that but it is a gamechanger.Measurements are easy to read on the white tape with crisp printing.I bought this in part bc I want to get more familiar with metric measurements - on top part of tape is standard US feet and inches measurements with clearly marked increments. The bottom side is marked in metric measurements.

I absolutely LOVE this tape measure with one caveat - the pencil sharpener needs to be removed then it would be perfect!Rarely do I hear about people even reading 4* reviews so this will likely go unnoticed. However I hope it helps potential consumers and maybe the company will see it and improve it's one design flaw. Then it would be perfect!!On the imperial side, the major divisions are easily readable with black ink on white background.The 8ths and 16ths are also very easily readable with black ink for the 8ths and red ink for the 16ths. Both the 8ths and 16ths are numbered the entire length of the tape measure. I've worked with others that number the first foot and then omit them from the rest of the tape - but NOT THIS ONE! The entire length is labeled at the 8th and 16th points and that makes it super convenient to know your measurements.There are also standard highlights at the foot and 16 inch intervals - as one would expect with home construction.On the MM side it's also easily readable with black ink on white tape.Every 10 mm (1/10 cm) interval has a number with the 100 mm (1 cm) in redThere are also diamond markers every 32mm to help if you're using System 32 and these run the entire length of the tape measure.The pull out is auto locked so the tape will not retract unless the button on the front is pressed.The outside is yellow plastic with very gripable rubber over molding and the overall shape feels really good in the hand.The belt click is metal and what you would expect - strong yet easily manipulated for thicker belts.AND there's a place on the side to write notes in pencil. That certainly makes it convenient if I ever need it but I haven't.The one feature that is keeping me from giving this 5* is the pencil sharpener. It's positioned on the end opposite of where the tape feeds out from and I can't tell you how many times this dag gone thing has poked me, pinched me and caused me nothing but headaches. Now the pinches are slight, sure, but they're happening on my 3rd and 4th finger....pinky and the ring finger. These fingers RARELY get pinched or poked so I notice when it happens and it's almost always an annoyance that interrupts whatever I happen to be thinking. I look down thinking "WTF?" wondering if I'd grabbed some fragment of cut class or if there's some bug that just bit me or if it's a splinter or fastener of some sort. It never is, it's just this stupid, unnecessary pencil sharpener.For the life of me, I can't understand why that stupid pencil sharpener was included. It won't work with flat construction pencils where most people just use a utility knife to sharpen theirs and it's too small for a #2 lead pencil. SO it's worthless unless you're using a VERY small diameter pencil.AND there's really no way to remove the sharpener as it's part of the yellow plastic under mold. One could obviously take an angle grinder too it, which is what I might do, but then that causes other issues like stability when it's set on the table and you want to hold pieces up to the tape.As much as I absolutely LOVE this tape measure and think they nailed all of the right visual/usability points, this sharpener is really annoying. If this had been any other tape measure, I would have easily given this 1 or maybe 2 stars.....it's THAT BAD! But the other features are SO GOOD that I felt like it deserved 4 stars.

Amazing tape measure. The auto lock is perfect and the numbers are easy to read. Very accurate and the perfect size and weight. Pretty durable as well & good price.

Best all around woodworking and trim tape period. That’s it, that’s the review.

This has become my go to tape. Fits very nicely in the hand. The stand off feature where the tape does not retract until you tell it to is a game changer, makes measuring so much more convenient. No more fumbling to attach the end to whatever you’re trying to measure while trying to keep it from retracting. Nice to have the metric scale when I need finer divisions than the standard… and the counting by 16th for the imperial scale is so useful my 8 year old grandson used it flawlessly. “That’s 19 and 15 out of 16 grandpa.”

Broke on my first day of use. Great features but the locking mechanism is cheap. Do not buy