CIGMAN Laser Measuring Tool, 262ft Laser Measure with Digital Angle Finder & Level, Rechargeable Laser Measurement Tool with 2.4'' Color Backlit Display, 6 Units Ft/in/M, Length/Area/Volume/Pythagorean Mode

I tossed the CD80 into my bag for a week of punch‑list work and small shop projects to see if a single pocket tool could really stand in for a tape, angle finder, and torpedo level. Short answer: it can, and it did—most of the time—while exposing a few limitations you’ll want to know before you count on it as your only measuring device.

Design and build

The CD80 is genuinely pocketable. It’s smaller and lighter than the 25‑foot tapes I usually carry, with a grippy shell that holds up well to dusty job sites. The IP54 rating kept dust and the occasional splash from being a concern. It ships with a soft case, USB‑C cable, and a hand strap—useful when you’re working off a ladder.

Two small but important touches stood out:

• Front/rear reference toggle: Measuring from the nose or the tail is a single button press, and the device clearly indicates which reference is active. That’s useful for inside measurements (use the back) and outside measurements (use the front).
• Six unit options: m, cm, mm, ft, in, and ft+in. Switching units is quick, and the fractional display is precise enough for carpentry (1/16 in).

Display and controls

The 2.4" backlit display is bright and sharp indoors, and the auto‑rotation makes it easy to read from any orientation. There’s also a black‑and‑white mode that boosts contrast; I switched to it outdoors and it helped, though direct sun still washes things out more than I’d like. A screen‑lock option prevents accidental button presses once you’ve set a mode.

The button layout is busy compared with a simple laser measure, but I got comfortable after an afternoon. If you’ve never used a multi‑mode measure before, expect a brief learning curve. Labels and icons are logical once you know where things live.

Laser measuring performance

Range and accuracy are this tool’s foundation, and here the CD80 performs well. Against a steel tape, my spot checks at 10, 25, and 50 feet were within ±1/16 inch—exactly as spec’d. Readings are quick (about a third of a second), and the continuous measurement mode with min/max tracking made it easy to find true spans between trim and out‑of‑square surfaces.

A few usage notes from the field:

• Long shots: Past 40–50 feet on matte surfaces, the laser dot is harder to see in bright conditions. The reading still returns, but placing the dot precisely is tougher. A target card or shaded surface improves hit rate and confidence.
• Indirect measurements: The Pythagorean modes work, but your readings are only as good as your aim. Use the 3s/5s delay to steady the device before the shot; bracing against a stud or jamb is even better.
• “Virtual tape” mode: This mimics a tape for short spans, useful for interior cabinet spacing and similar tasks. It has a lower limit for very short measurements, so for sub‑hand‑width distances I reverted to a physical tape or calipers.

Area and volume calculations are straightforward: take length and width; the CD80 does the math. For takeoffs and quick quotes, this is much faster than a manual walk‑around with a tape.

Digital angle finder and level

The inclinometer reads from −90° to 90° with 0.1° resolution and ±0.2° accuracy. In practice, it held its zero after a quick calibration and matched my miter gauge and digital bevel box within a couple tenths. It’s handy for:

• Checking miter saw detents and fence squareness
• Setting cabinet reveals and shelf pitch
• Confirming handrail and ramp slope
• Laying out crown and base transitions

Because the housing isn’t magnetic, it won’t stick to saw fences or steel framing by itself; you’ll hold it or clamp it in place. The small size is an advantage in tight spots, but on longer spans I still prefer a longer spirit level for a more stable reference. Think of the CD80’s level as an accurate pocket reference, not a replacement for a 24‑inch bubble level.

Battery and durability

USB‑C charging is a welcome upgrade over coin cells. The 1000 mAh battery easily got me through several days of intermittent use, and the auto shut‑off (about 3 minutes) conserves power without being annoying. There’s a mute option for quiet environments. After a week, wear was limited to a few scuffs; buttons remained crisp and the laser calibration didn’t drift.

Data handling

The CD80 stores up to 100 measurements, which is genuinely useful on walkthroughs. Cycling through past readings is quick, and the device keeps separate records for different modes. There’s no Bluetooth or app export; if you need digital logs or BIM integration, you’ll still be transcribing or snapping photos of the screen.

Usability tips

• Switch reference points deliberately. For interior widths (inside jamb to inside jamb), set the back reference so the device uses its own length in the calculation.
• Use the delay timer for Pythagorean and long shots. It reduces hand‑shake error.
• Indoors vs outdoors. Stick with color display indoors; switch to black‑and‑white in bright conditions for better contrast.
• Calibrate the angle sensor before precise work. It takes seconds and tightens consistency.
• Bring a target card for long daylight measurements. Anything high-contrast and matte helps.

Where it shines

• Fast room takeoffs. Length, area, and volume modes save real time for flooring, paint, and trim estimates.
• Cabinetry and built‑ins. The laser replaces awkward inside measurements, and the angle readout helps with scribe and reveal work.
• Punch lists and layout. A pocket level and inclinometer you’ll actually carry is worth a lot.
• Mixed‑unit environments. Switching between feet‑inch and metric is seamless and accurate.

Where it falls short

• Learning curve. The multi‑button interface and deep feature set take a little time to master. It’s not difficult, but it isn’t “press one button and go” for everything.
• Outdoor readability. The screen is usable in bright light with the high‑contrast mode, but direct sun still challenges both the display and your ability to see the laser dot at a distance.
• No magnetic base. You can’t stick it to a saw fence, duct, or steel stud without a clamp or third hand.
• Indirect/triangulation sensitivity. Pythagorean results are only as good as your stability and target placement.
• Short‑span limitations in virtual tape mode. For very tight interior measurements, you’ll still reach for a physical tape or a rule.
• No wireless export. Memory is handy, but there’s no way to sync measurements to a phone or CAD app.

The bottom line

After a week, I reached for the CD80 more often than I expected. It replaced my tape for most room dimensions, made floor and wall area calculations effortless, and doubled as a genuinely accurate angle finder and pocket level. The rechargeable battery, IP54 build, auto‑rotating color screen, and generous unit support feel well thought‑out. Its limitations—no magnet, a modest learning curve, less‑than‑ideal direct‑sun visibility, and no Bluetooth—are easy to live with at this price and size.

Recommendation: I recommend the CD80 to tradespeople and serious DIYers who want a compact, accurate all‑in‑one measuring companion. It excels at interior work, estimating, layout, and cabinetry, and it meaningfully lightens a tool pouch by consolidating three tools. If your workflow relies on wireless data capture, regular long‑distance outdoor shots in bright sun, or a magnetic mount for machine setup, you’ll want to pair it with a more specialized device. Otherwise, this is a capable, efficient, and good‑value tool that earns a spot in the everyday kit.