Reekon T1 Tomahawk Digital Tape Measure Review

Confession: I explained in our Best Tape Measure roundup that I don’t use digital tape measures due to their iffy accuracy. The folks at Reekon reached out and very graciously explained that their T1 Tomahawk digital tape measure can blow that generalization out of the water. I asked a few questions, took a look at the website, and watched some videos. Long story short, I have one in my hands to share what I’ve learned with you.

Reekon T1 Tomahawk Digital Tape Measure Basics

Measuring Accuracy

Since accuracy has been my number one complaint against digital tape measures, let’s start with that. Reekon claims the T1 has accuracy greater than 0.02 in/0.5mm. In traditional tape measure lingo, its accuracy is better than 1/32 of an inch, which is the best we get on traditional tapes.

Better yet, the tape can automatically calibrate itself. The magic is in the funky markings on the reverse side of the blade. It looks random, but it lets the electronics know exactly where it is on the scale.

The tape starts reading measurements as soon as you pull the blade out. However, it can fail to get a good reading if the blade is moving too fast. Thanks to those markings on the back of the blade, the readout is able to immediately and accurately pick back up anywhere along the length once it starts moving again.

Just like any tape measure, a bent hook affects your accuracy. It’s a good idea to check it against a tape measure calibrator occasionally, and especially if the hook takes a hit.

Digital Readout and Controls

There’s a top-mounted reverse-contrast digital display that shows your measurement, perfectly corresponding with the blade markings. I find it easy to read, though it is a challenge in bright sunlight.

When you pull the blade out, you don’t have to engage a lock button to hold it in place. The yellow button on the top right is the release for that. I don’t mind this design since the lock is loose enough to pull more of the blade out while still having the strength to hold it in place.

Once you have your measurement, you can record it on the paper white screen on the side by pressing the top left button. Any new measurements you add continue populating the same group.

Continuing to move left across the controls, the top side button brings up options on the top screen. Here, you can add new groups, flip the screen, view a layout guide, switch between front and rear measurements, and toggle other settings. Below that, the arrow keys are what you use to navigate those settings and scroll through the side screen.

The trash can button is self-explanatory—if you want to delete a measurement or group, that’s the one you use.

The bottom button outside the wire clip cycles through multiple imperial and metric measurement displays. No matter which blade you get, you’re able to use the full suite of digital measurement readouts.

The final button inside the wire clip turns a green laser on or off. It flares out about 14 inches (7 inches to either side) while laying on a surface, aligning with the markings on the blade and the material you’re working with.

Reekon T1 Tomahawk Digital Tape Measure Design Notes

Power Source

Forget having piles of AA batteries sitting around. Reekon designed this model to use a lithium-ion battery. On a full charge, you get around 15 hours of continuous use, which is enough for several days’ worth of consistent use in most cases.

The battery charges directly on the tool. Slide the battery door up to expose the USB-C charging port or to remove the battery. Unfortunately, there’s no way to charge the battery off the tool, so be sure to charge it after use so it’s ready to go when you are.

There’s an App for That

If you want to expand the capabilities of the Reekon T1 Tomahawk, you can download the Rock Jobsite App. Inside, you can run firmware updates, get blade replacement instructions, and view battery life. There’s even a live-view feature in the works.

That’s just the tip of the iceberg, though. The real benefit is the project planner function where you can connect the tool to your phone and add measurements as you take them directly into the project and space you’re working on. There’s a learning curve, of course, but for those who want full digital integration, it’s very promising.

Size and Weight

One characteristic of the T1 that is sure to cause some folks to hesitate is the size and weight of the unit. You can see the foundations of a traditional tape measure in the center with a handle/battery housing extension coming back and electronic components pushing forward.

From tip to tail, it measures 7 7/8 inches long and just over 2 inches wide with the wire clip. With a battery, it weighs 1.8 pounds. My go-to tape measure is the Milwaukee Stud. Comparatively, it’s 3 5/8 inches long, 2 1/2 inches wide, and weighs 1.2 pounds. That’s a substantial difference to get used to if you’ve been using standard tape measures for a long time.

Additional Features

• 8-foot standout
• Magnetic hook
• 1-meter drop tested
• Includes tool belt compatible heavy-duty holster
• Stores up to 1000 measurements

Reekon T1 Tomahawk Digital Tape Measure Price

As you can imagine, all these features come at a higher price. The kit includes the tape measure, battery, holster, and charger for $259.99. It’s backed by a 1-year warranty.

The Bottom Line

The Reekon T1 Tomahawk changed my tune regarding digital tape measures. It’s a well-designed, well-thought-out tool that exceeded my expectations for digital measurement accuracy. In my opinion, it’s the best digital tape measure currently available. It’s not for everyone, though. The size and weight are a consideration, and those of you who prefer pencil and paper to digital solutions may have a harder time fully integrating all the technical features.