We love overkill. Bells and whistles. Flashing lights. Features we can't figure out but are impressed by anyway. The new AccuTrac Measuring Tool from Craftsman has all of these. And more.

Like many tools, it's way more than the average guy needs, but you feel more capable and powerful just by wielding it. Like using a sledgehammer when an ordinary hammer will do. Think of the AccuTrac as the sledgehammer of measuring tapes.

Forget having a buddy hold the end of a tape when you need to measure something over eight feet or so. The laser technology on the AccuTrac let's one guy measure up to 150 feet. With accuracy to within 3/16-inch. And the backlit, LCD digital readout means you don't have do the "5-feet and 7 tic marks" thing if you don't know your fractions. Or, you can just have it display in decimals instead. Or in meters and millimeters, should you be using it in Canada.

Beyond just measuring single distance, it can also measure two points to determine area, three points for volume, and will even figure Pythagorean to measure indirect or hard to reach points. (If I had any clue what that meant, I'd elaborate for you.)

If you don't have paper handy, the AccuTrac can store and recall up to ten values, and also let's you add or subtract measurements. (Which is where I usually screw up.) And there's a built-in bubble level for added accuracy.

Again, way more than you'll probably ever need for around the house. But it'll definitely inspire jealousy when your neighbors see you use it. And thats what's important. (Cue Tim Allen grunting in the background.)

$119.99
www.craftsman.com