A digital protractor is a revolutionary device that enables a user to measure angles more accurately as compared to a hand held protractor. It provides an immediate reading of all the angles in a 360 range.
If you are interested in a digital angle finder for your woodwork, construction or any other function, you need to acquire the right one.
Protractors range from analog to digital types that measure angles from 0-360 (Source).
There are important factors that you should consider when buying the best digital protractor. In this review, important factors such as accuracy, design, functionality have been discussed to assist you acquire a tool that will effectively do the job.
What Is A Digital Protractor?
Table of Contents
- 1 What Is A Digital Protractor?
- 2 What Is A Digital Protractor Used For?
- 3 How Does A Digital Protractor Work?
- 4 Comparing The Best Digital Protractors
- 5 1. Wixey WR418 Digital Protractor – Best Overall
- 6 2. Tacklife MDA01 Digital Protractor – Most Durable
- 7 3. GemRed 82305 Digital Angle Finder – Best Multi-Functioning Tool
- 8 4. General Tools 822 Digital Angle Finder – Bluetooth Enhanced Technology
- 9 5. Wixey WR410 Digital Protractor – Best for Measuring and Layout
- 10 How to Use a Digital Protractor
- 11 Things You Should Consider When Buying a Digital Protractor
- 12 Ready To Buy The Best Digital Protractor?
A digital protractor is essentially just as its name would imply, a modern form of the classic protractor that is used to accurately measure angles. Digital protractors differ from the classic protractors that you may be familiar with in a few different ways.
Most notably, digital protractors display their measurements with the help of a digital screen. This is incredibly helpful for quickly identifying the angle that you are trying to measure. These tools are very commonly used among mathematicians, carpenters, and physicists thanks to the great level of precision that they are able to provide.
If you need a protractor to help you measure any angles, a digital protractor is the best option out there. Luckily, they have become quite popular and remain fairly inexpensive.
What Is A Digital Protractor Used For?
Digital protractors are used for the same purpose as their older counterparts. This is to measure angles in an incredibly precise manner. Where the older models relied on tedious measurements and left you prone to user error, the newer digital protractors make it much easier to get an accurate reading.
Most people will have first encountered protractors in their math classes over the years, but there are many other uses for these tools.
Carpenters and construction workers will often use digital protractors in order to assist them when levelling a surface or cutting a material to a specific degree.Capable of measuring a full 360-degree surface, there are so many applications for digital protractors in the modern world.
How Does A Digital Protractor Work?
Despite being a more modern form of an older tool, digital protractors are actually incredibly easy to use. In the simplest sense, a digital protractor is a device that effectively measures angles to a very precise degree.
It does so by connecting two separate rulers at a pivot point, and then measuring the angle that is created when they are in different positions. There are a number of different applications for this type of measurement, but the most common method of measuring angles with a digital protractor are vertical and horizontal.
Vertical measurement is performed by placing one end flat on the ground surface and angling the other end upwards. You can probably guess how the horizontal method works and is typically used for determining the inside angle of small objects.
Comparing The Best Digital Protractors
| Wixey WR418 Digital Protractor | |||
| Tacklife MDA01 Digital Protractor | |||
| GemRed 82305 Digital Angle Finder | |||
| General Tools 822 Digital Angle Finder | |||
| Wixey WR410 Digital Protractor |
1. Wixey WR418 Digital Protractor – Best Overall
Its heavy-duty aluminum blades features magnets that enable you to attach the digital angle gauge to steel tables, jointers, band saws and any other metal surfaces. A simple function includes an ON/OFF and zero button.
Soon after measuring a corner angle, the 3rd miter set-inch button will calculate the exact miter angle to offer a precision fit. It is excellent for calculating correct angle for a bend and measuring an existing part.
It has eighteen inch long blades that offer -/+ 0.1 degree accuracy and repeatability. It also includes a miter set-inch feature which instantly calculate proper angle for cutting miters.
- It is able to measure angles in any plane
- The blades can be tightened to hold measurements
- Has strong magnets on all blade edges for easy use
- It is great for measuring and layout
- Sets both bevel and miter angles on woodworking machinery
- The protractor shuts off automatically after measuring for extended battery life
- Has a large display that eliminates reading errors common with analog protractors
- Batteries may not last for long
- Not suitable for measuring angles on small objects
2. Tacklife MDA01 Digital Protractor – Most Durable
The Tacklife MDA01is a seven inch angle finder stainless steel ruler with zeroing and hold functioning. It has a large coin battery included for repairing, woodworking and construction.
It is made of stainless steel and is 400 millimeters in length. The tool comes with an easy to read LCD display with a measuring range of 0-360. It has a 0.1 resolution and 0.3 accuracy. The best working temperature should be between 0-50 celcius.
Tacklife MDA01 has a zero button for relatively measuring any angle and locking screws that hold measured values. Hinge mechanism present on the angle rule enables a full 360 to measure outside and inside and reverse angles.
When working with Tacklife MDA01, make sure not to move the components and screws at random. Use even strength when rotating the rotate arm to avoid any damage. The angle meter and the protractor should be handled with care to avoid any cuts
- Low power consumption offering you more than 2000 hours of services
- Stainless steel body that is durable
- Etched measurement that provides a lifetime clear reading
- Convenient locking screw enabling the ruler to be held at any angle
- Automatically shut down after every six minutes of inactivity
- The blades easily gets scratches from rubbing against each other as they swivel
3. GemRed 82305 Digital Angle Finder – Best Multi-Functioning Tool
The GemRed 82305 is a seven inch plastic digital angle finder. It generates a clear, fast and accurate readout at any angle. It can easily measure length and angle, metric and imperial scale.
You can easily operate the angle finder with the two press buttons it has. The protractor has a compact structure for convenience whether in use or when carrying it around. It can also be well used as a square ruler, straight ruler or any other field.
It is convenient for woodworking: adjusting angles of band, miter and table saws, medical treatment, vehicle repair and maintenance, construction, drawing and so on.
- Made of light body durable plastic
- Low power consumption with a battery life of 2000 working hours
- Protractor and ruler combination for easy measuring
- Clear and quick digital readout
- Zeroing at any angle offering relative measuring
- Has a 0.1resolution and +/-3 accuracy
- Any minor movement of the arm turns the protractor on
4. General Tools 822 Digital Angle Finder – Bluetooth Enhanced Technology
The angle finder features a reverse and lock angle modes with jumbo LCD hinge mechanism. They provides a full 360 for measuring inside, outside and reverse angles. It is made of stainless steel to last longer.
General tools can be zeroed at any given point in the swing. The tool offers precise measurements to facilitate exact miter cuts. With the LCD readout, it makes measurements easy to read. It is ideal for construction, tiling, flooring, woodworking, framing and so on.
- Has reverse and lock angle functions that makes working easy and fast
- Can be zeroed at any given point of the swing
- it comes with an easy-to-read LCD display
- The digital ruler and angle finder makes precise measurement for woodworking
- Hinge mechanism allows a 360for measuring reverse, inside and outside angles
- Instructions for using it are not clearly indicated
5. Wixey WR410 Digital Protractor – Best for Measuring and Layout
The protractor can be used in any given plane making it ideal for setting miter and bevel angles on various woodworking tools.
Wixey WR410 has a range of -/+ 180 that gives it the ability to cover a majority of your angle measuring needs. It has embedded magnets on the edges of the blades hence can easily be attached on steel saw blades and cast iron tables.
The protractor has an added feature of a friction lock that allows them to hold the blades in a fixed position to transfer angle measurements. It is ideal for layout and larger measuring functions. An important feature includes an ON/OFF and zero button for ease of use and understanding.
- Strong magnets available on blade edges for ease of use
- Sets both bevel and miter angles
- Measures angles at any given plane
- 1 degree accuracy, resolution and repeatability
- Does not retain zero setting after every measurement
How to Use a Digital Protractor
Using a digital protractor is very easy thanks to its digital display and the lack of assembly that is required. You should first start out by analyzing the object or surface that you need to measure.
If the angle can be laid flat on a surface, you can simply lay the protractor directly on top of it and align the rulers with the object that you are measuring.
If you are trying to do something like stand a beam in a perfectly straight position, all you have to do is set the ruler side flat down with the secondary end sticking straight up.
Finding the correct measurement is easier than ever with digital protractors. Their digital displays allow for a much more precise measurement, and many can offer increments to the nearest tenth of a degree.
If you are familiar with how to use a standard protractor you will probably have no problem at all figuring out how to use it modern digital counterpart. You will have to secure the pivot point down and be sure to consider whether it would be easier to measure the angle vertically or horizontally.
Things You Should Consider When Buying a Digital Protractor
Whether you are a constructor, woodworker or doing simple maintenance at home, a protractor is a must-have tool that you should have in your tool box. It is used for everything from cutting angles to wood joints.
Digital angle finders are divided into two categories, professional and amateur. If you are going to use the instrument a couple of times, there is nothing wrong with selecting the amateur type. If you are a professional, it will be best to consider the professional section.
Most modern protractors come in standard style and have digital gauges for accuracy. Others come in form of a small cube or box. Although the style does not affect accuracy, the brand and technology will definitely have an impact on how well the protractor works.
A measurement error can radically increase costs of your projects and that is why you require a digital angle finder. With the examples stated above, you can quickly select the easiest model for your exact usage.
Below are some of the major factors you should look into when selecting a digital protractor
Accuracy
This is the most important feature that will enable you take measurements without errors. If you are looking for specific angle measurement, it is best to select a digital angle finder. They are very accurate within a tenth of a degree. You may not be lucky with the manual protractors.
Whether or not you are having problems finding angles depend on the tool you are using. Some allow you to calibrate the angle finder depending on the surface it is sitting on while others may not. If you value accuracy above any other metrics, select an instrument that will make your calculations simpler.
Wide Measurement Range
A digital protractor is capable of measuring angles between 0-360. This gives the instrument versatility when dealing with many different kinds of projects. Using a manual finder can be exhausting and difficult for the extreme angles, something that a digital one does in seconds. One of the main useful functions of the instrument is versatility.
Level Included
It is imperative to check if a level is included in your digital protractor. This is a convenient feature which saves you from going back and forth between your level and finder with each single cut. It is a good insurance policy just in case you forget your own level.
Any instrument that fulfills more than a given task prevents you from carrying many other tools. These are the sort of things that make the difference when working on a project.
Quality
Investing wisely in your project is all about the quality you buy. The instruments available in the market are all made of different materials. There are those that are durable while others are not. For example, you would expect stainless steel instruments to last for long, which may cost you more as compared to light plastic.
Added In-Built Measurement Features
There are those that come with just one function. However, best angle finders come with features that make work easier. Among the added feature is a cut calculator. It ensures that each piece you cut fits in the exact manner you want it to. It will be more tiresome to find that the cut you made is off by an inch.
The cut calculator does the work for you ensuring every piece fits. Other instruments have Bluetooth technology to enable you back up data on your phone or other mobile device. With it you can carry around work data with ease.
These added features increase the price of the instrument. If you do not need them, going for such a tool may be a waste of money. Alternatively, if you require these features, buying a digital protractor that only perform its core function will cost you more as you will have to buy additional instruments.
Price
Digital protractors are comparably more expensive than the manual types. You however should keep in mind that you pay for what you get. If you are doing a one-time project, look for a pocket friendly type but if not, invest well to get one that will last.
How you plan to use your angle finder will determine the one you select. If you are into woodwork, a versatile tool will probably be a god choice. If you are into construction, a compact type will be a good choice to fit within any nook and cranny.
Ready To Buy The Best Digital Protractor?
No matter how accurate your eyes are, they can never be as accurate as a digital protractor. The modern types are re-settable, hence you can ensure they are calibrated correctly every time.
They are also surprisingly affordable ensuring that you finish your project in a quick and effective way without straining.
Regardless of the instrument you select, make sure it has all the important features required to doing a perfect job. Getting sharp angles is a crucial aspect in completing work, minimizing costs and saving time all together.
This is a tool that has made projects in different fields easier. They take guessing out of angle measurement. As there are many types available that may make you confused, the above guideline will help you cover your requirements no matter your field of work.
Read about another measuring instrument on our review of the Top Digital Inclinometers, which measures the angular speed of a chainsaw.
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