Last year I went to a consultation for a client. Sometimes I feel great about my consultations and can get a good feel for a client and other times I know when things are not going well. This particular consultation I felt did not go well. So instead of taking my time to get out my rotary laser level and measuring wheel to take measurements and elevations, I simply walked around the site with my tape measure and wrote down rough measurements in my notes app in order to provide a quick quote for the client. It was not something I thought was going to be worth my time.
Fast forward a week later, the client was ready to sign up after receiving their quote. All of our subsequent meetings went amazing and throughout the construction process they were one of my best clients.
But…
With my inaccurate measurements and notetaking, I failed to take into consideration the elevation to which we would be bringing down their yard to meet the foot of their deck steps. Which meant I had inaccurately calculated the cost of excavation and disposal of material at a cost of $7,500. All because I did not want to take the time in that initial consultation to set everything up and have a clean notetaking process.
I knew then that my process in which I took measurements and elevations needed to change. So I did some research online for a tool that would replace a rotary laser level, measuring wheel, tape measure, and pen and paper while also seamlessly transferring over into my design software to begin creating designs from. A tall order, but I knew of a device that I had seen at trade shows may just do the trick.
Our Comprehensive Moasure Review
Moasure provides motion-based measuring technology without the need for GPS or lasers. This device simply connects to their app and allows you to capture points that measure lengths, elevation, perimeter, area, and volume while also being able to export in various formats to upload into design software.
This powerful and compact tool replaces the need for multiple devices typically used to capture measurements and elevations on consultations with clients, while taking rough notes to then bring back to the office and create quotes from. It also creates a unique talking point when the client asks, “what is that?”
With the Moasure 2 PRO, I have made good use of measuring irregularly-shaped yards, while being able to also add a layer onto the yard measurement for curved swimming pools, to be able to measure the net area of that space and perimeter of the swimming pool for our coping installs. It has also helped in measuring elevation between two points to ensure we have enough room for a proper slope in planning our patios. It has not only streamlined our workflow and saved us a lot of time and hassle in the field when taking these measurements, but it has made it easier than ever to import those same measurements into our design software to begin our designs from.
How to Use the Moasure 2 PRO
Moasure 2 PRO is easy to use, and they have lots of guides and videos to help get you started. . I do recommend watching their tutorials to ensure that you know how to use the device, and you aren’t learning in the field. In a short summary of what their tutorial offers, here is how to use the device:
- Download the Moasure app and pair your device.
- Insert the device into the Moasure STICK’s cushioned housing so that the light is exposed. Insert the phone into the Smartphone Holder. Adjust the stick length so that when the device is lifted off the ground when you walk, your arms are at a waist height and your forearm remains horizontal. Read the full guide here.
- Simply turn on the device by rotating it in the air until the light turns on.
- Maintain a light grip and avoid swinging / aggressive rotations when moving.
- The measurement reference point of the device is at the tip closest to the light or at the tip of the housing when using the stick (make sure to switch the settings on your app when you are using the device or the Moasure stick).
- Click the + sign on the app and choose the measurement type (closed shape, open shape, layout, point to point, or angle). Wait for the device to connect to the app. The light will change from blue to red once connected.
- Place the device at the measurement start point. This should be a memorable location as the final measurement will require you to place it back at this exact location for a closed shape measurement type. You can always use a marker to ensure the start/finish point is accurate.
- Once this starting point is complete, walk briskly to the next point while watching the app, as it will tell you when it is required to be placed down. Error increases over time, not over distance so quicker movements lead to more accurate results with this motion-based measuring device. Keep this within the green zone for accurate measurements and avoid the red zone. Place the device quickly, but gently and remain still at that location until the point has been captured, which will be indicated by a sound and the light changing from red to green.
- Return to your starting point (closed shape measurement type) and once captured, click the stop button. You have now completed your measurement and will see the calculated perimeter and area.
- You can now save the file, name it, and view in 2D and 3D. You can see elevation differences between points, export it into various formats, and so much more with this device. You can also add layers along with the current project, including adding a layer using the Points measurement type, to be able to capture elevations throughout the interior of the project, or add various closed shapes within a perimeter measurement of the project.
Benefits of the Moasure 2 PRO
Besides the benefits of the features that have already been listed and their use-cases, these are the benefits of the Moasure 2 PRO:
- Export to Design Software
- Elevations Between Points
- Measuring Odd-Shapes and Features
- Compact Size
- Auto-Save and Auto-Power Off
- Integrated Moasure Coach
- So Many More Features
Moasure provides export options that include PDF, CAD, CSV, IMG, and MFL formats. I use the CSV file to import directly into my design software to provide me with a working terrain to begin my designs from. This works with Realtime Landscape Architect seamlessly to create an automatic terrain map to which I can begin designs from.
Using the cross-section tool, you can measure the run and elevation between two points. This came in handy when I was measuring an odd-shaped patio and walkway, where I knew the elevation was going to be tight between a starting point and an ending point that I would be sloping the patio to. With the device, I was able to accurately calculate that, from my two chosen points, the run was 75 feet and the elevation difference was 14 inches – giving me room for a 3/16″ slope per foot to work with for this project.
Oftentimes we are measuring a backyard that is oddly-shaped and includes a curved pool. With Moasure, we can measure the perimeter of that yard and then add a layer to the project for the pool perimeter. I can then calculate the square footage of that yard and subtract it from the square footage of the pool, to provide a square footage of the area around the pool. I can also use the perimeter measurement that it provides from the pool to plan for the pool coping we would be installing. All with one device prepared with a file that I can import into my design software.
The number one benefit I find with the Moasure 2 PRO, besides the above features and their use-cases, is that it’s compact. This allows me to replace a rotary laser level, measuring wheel, tape measure (though I bring that too), and my terrible notetaking. Now, I have no excuse to take the measurements that I need, no matter the circumstance on my consultations.
As disorganized as I am, the number one thing I like about the app is that it will auto-save your project if you forget to save it as a new project. Typically I will take my measurements with my device and close it down to move onto the next consultation, only to find that when I open the app back up, there is an auto-save file from the previous consultation. This has saved me already a handful of times. Additionally, Moasure has a power-save feature and will automatically shut off after 30 seconds of inactivity (can be adjusted) which also helps with not draining the battery and having to take the extra step in shutting it off yourself.
The Moasure Coach will provide you with helpful tips to improve your measurements. This came in handy when I was first using the device. It told me that I was placing the device down too harshly when capturing points.
There are still features that I have yet to try out for myself including the cut and fill tool to calculate the volume being removed from a site or to return it to net zero, being able to label points of interest, overlaying a background to visualize the site with the points measured, and layout mode that allows you to import coordinates to be guided to your layout.
Challenges of the Moasure 2 PRO
This device is powerful. You are able to do so much through the application with just capturing points in the field. Because of how much it can do for you, it is not something that you can just buy and take it out into the field without any prior training. Thankfully, Moasure has extensive tutorials on their YouTube channel to help with every step of the way. My initial thought when I purchased it was to bring it along to a consultation and just figure it out. I am thankful I did not.
I watched Moasure’s tutorial on using the Moasure 2 PRO in the field and was able to transfer that into the field on my first consult with no problems. From being able to take the perimeter measurements, to adding points within the the space to plot elevations, to something as simple as being able to turn it on, I highly recommend that you take a moment to watch their tutorials , so you do not waste your time on site with a client trying to stumble your way through and figuring out how to use this device.
Take 30 minutes, watch a couple of tutorials, then put it into practice in the field.
What Moasure 2 PRO Could Improve
Having used my device for several consultations already, the only thing I can think of that Moasure could improve on would be the housing attached to the stick. It would be great to see this be built of a material that provides a little more weight. This may seem like a minor detail, that really does not improve on the features that Moasure already provides, but there are some scenarios where this added weight would help. For example, I tend to have my swivel at the end of my stick fairly loose so that I can place the unit and rest it at an angle while it captures a point. This is great for hard surfaces that the device can be placed on without difficulty.
However, for projects where you may be placing it on hard surfaces, and then in areas where perhaps a client has not mowed their yard and the grass is really tall, placing the unit when that swivel is loose will lead to the unit not being placed onto the ground as the grass will interfere with its stability. With a little more weight to the housing at the bottom of the stick, this would help in these scenarios. A very minor detail and one that I could probably work through on my own with tightening the swivel, and would probably cause the housing to not be as manipulatable to get the unit into the housing, but that would be my one improvement I can think of.
If you want to get your hands on a Moasure 2 PRO, click here or use code X8HARDSCAPE at checkout to save some money on your purchase!