InstruMMents 01 Demensioning Instrument + Pencil

This is a cool product, but I'm not sure it's ready for prime time. It's a novel idea, and it does work, it just suffers from early adopter syndrome (often, companies rush to get these unique products out and the first versions don't really measure up to promises). So, I do like it, but it needs some work.The instruction manual, if you can call it that, is pretty useless. For a product like this, you really need a more extensive manual. I would even be happy if more instructions were supplied on the app, but they aren't. To find the app look for Instrumments (that's not even in the manual). You basically just have to mess around with the device and figure out how to use it. The app and their website recommend training wheels, and the training wheels are used in all their product imaging. However, they aren't included, at least in my beta sample. You can't buy them either. You can only get them by subscribing to their cloud service. More on that later.It wasn't clear from the manual or the product information, but this doesn't measure what you draw. It only measures using the little ring on the back. I had assumed it would measure with the ring and the pencil. The pencil is pretty useless as is (I'd go for the stylus if I were you). The lead is replaced by unscrewing the bottom of the device, slightly, and then inserting the lead. It comes with extra lead and a sharpener. Most mechanical pencils don't need a sharpener, but the leads are thicker than a regular mechanical pencil. You would need to sharpen them for fine lines. You also are supposed to remove the lead to measure (if you loosen the silver ring, the lead will go all the way up into the pencil, that's what I've been doing and it works).As for the function of the tool, it works well for what it does. It can measure straight and curved lines, and once you get used to the movement, you can get fairly accurate results. It has already come in handy for jotting down quick measurements. It's pretty easy to use to get those basic measurements correct and it is pretty efficient. It's something you'll probably always have on hand, unlike measuring tape or a yardstick. You do have to roll the roller on what you're measuring, but for most things that's not a problem.It mentions importing these measurements into CAD software for 3D modeling, but I haven't found a way to do that unless you sign up for their subscription service. If you have a 3D Cloud subscription (3 months: $39), you can download them as STEP files. They also send you the training wheels if you subscribe. It takes 8-10 days to receive them. If you don't have the service, you have the measurements but no real way to export and import them, which makes the pen kind of useless for CAD.Battery packs are proprietary and you can get 3 for $19.99. I'm not sure how long they will last. I looked for that information, but I couldn't find it. I hate proprietary batteries, if the company goes away, you have a useless device. Another part that will need to be replaced is the roller, and you can get 6 for $19.99. I also looked for how often you need to replace the rollers, and I couldn't find that information either. To me, it sounds like this fun device is going to be costly over time (batteries, cloud service at $6/month or more, replacement rollers) and very dependent on InstruMMents upkeep.If it weren't for the cloud service that they basically force you into buying after already paying a hefty price for the pen, I would have given this four or maybe five stars. In my opinion, a trial of the service and the training wheels should be included. I've never purchased a product that touts features only available in a subscription service. especially when they don't at least give you a trial. I've also never purchased a product that tells you measurements are only accurate with an accessory it doesn't provide. It actually says, "Training wheels must be used for best results." That's a weird claim when you can't buy them, and they're not included. It's also weird to include them in almost every promotional photo and not include them. I even flipped my box over to see if they should have been included when I saw that. Wouldn't you want all your customers to have "best results?" Hopefully, that will be available for actual purchasers.It's a really cool device, and hopefully some of these new product pains will get worked out over time.

I was really excited to get this instrument to review. I do a bit of home repair, furniture design, jewelry work, have a CNC router, some of everything. I was looking forward to some exciting use as a 3D capture instrument, as I didn't yet have a working method. I STILL DON'T. The box looked slick and cool. Open it up quickly. Find a bound notebook, which has no back or front. Seriously, I couldn't even tell which way to open the notebook. Find the instrument, it is supposed to be intuitive, but I can't figure what is what in the box, It did successfully make me feel inadequate. Then I got irritated. I messed with this on several occasions. I eventually figured out how to install a battery capsule that looks like an eraser, and costs about 7 dollars. Figured out how to install the lead for the pencil function, figured that the pen and stylus are not included. Then I managed to get the App installed and the device paired with the phone. Now on to measuring, great fun. Measured the width of my computer. Measured it about 10 times. Measurements ranged from 14.5 to 15.5 inches, with a standard distribution around 15 inches. looked at the neat 3D presentation of a straight line that resulted from the measurement. Decided to measure the box and have a neat 3D representation of the box. WRONG. I got 3 different 3D straight lines for length, width and thickness, not connected in any way. Tried for a curve, no way. Looked on the website, OH, I need to spent 20 dollars on "Training Wheels" and subscribe to $6 a month cloud service to get curves represented.The bottom line is this is a waste of my time and money, in my opinion. The device is not accurate, and will change measurements just by waving it in the air. You cannot reliably start at an edge and end at the other edge. You cannot reliably roll and measure a straight line. It doesn't measure curves in any manner as shipped. I don't want it in my house, and I didn't have to pay for it.What I liked:Nice bound notebook, with marking strap.Nice sharpener and pencil feel.What I didn't like:The measuring roller is easily removed from the pen, they sell replacements, so they know you will loose them.The battery is not rechargeable, nor standard. You have to buy from the original company.The Pencil lead does not have any way to advance the lead, other than letting it fall out.The measuring wheel is too large to fit in tight corners, you will not be able to capture any dimension with an obstruction, and will miss about a 1/4 inch on each end.The cartridge that is supposed to be removable, to switch from pencil, to stylus, to pen and back to pencil, is very difficult to remove and re-install.The system seems designed to encourage additional purchases.I will stop there, because this is not worth my time to describe any further.