The small wheel that cost around $50. are not accurate. Home depot has a 100 foot cloth tape for about $18.00 it will stretch out so check on critical. The $100.00 fat max works very well and accurate. Have not tried on a black wall yet.

What is the best color towel for outside in bright sun ?

Randy,

I just got my disto to call and make my appointments after grouping them all into geographic territories. 

Just Kidding, it still doesn't do everything.

I carry a couple of 35ft Stanley tapes,  a couple of 100ft tapes and a disto.  I use the Disto for ALL interior measurements and have never had a problem.

I have occasionally used it for fences and have had mixed success.

I trust it ------- period.

Very interesting and informative comments on the use of the Leica in sunlight.  I recently purchased the A3 model and found it to be highly accurate (by checking with my metal tape) for interior readings.  However, with a 3rd party claimant's help, I had trouble getting a "read" at about 45' on a pasture fence in bright sunlight recently with my brown leather folder as a reflector. Actually I could not see the laser dot hit on the folder.  I suppose I need more practice in lining up the laser beam in the outdoor locations where there is nothing  around to stabilize the A3.   Subsequently, I have purchased the Leica target reflector which is gray on one side and copper-brown on the other.  The gray is for reading distances up to 90  ft., and the brown side is for distances "beyond 90 ft".  BTW, the target is about the same size as my 10" x 14" brown leather folder. 

I think my real problem was the bright sunlight as I later took a measurement, in shaded light, on my own fence post at 80' and was able to see the laser beam on the grayed fence board without the Leica target.

My suggestion to any others who plan to purchase a Leica, is to get a lot of "dry-run" practice before going "live" out there on the big storms where "time is money". 

Martin, you need the "Disto" glasses for seeing the target dot outdoors in bright sunlight.  They cost about $30 and are worth every cent. 

Janice, I agree, dark targets are hit and miss.  However, the Disto target plates are dark brown and there is no problem using them.  I have one set I glued a magnet to for measuring metal buildings--works great and never get an error message.

I would not use anything else for interiors.

Now, I know Chuck is going to let me know about his 100 foot with the nail on the end but it doesn't always work.  Nothing like getting almost to the end and the tape hitting the ground.

I don't trust anything but my Disto and my metal tape.