In this day and age, there’s a digital version for pretty much any analog tool you can think of. Whether it’s rulers, compasses, and even barometers, digital devices are simply more accurate and reliable than their analog counterparts. The quality and convenience of digital devices have slowly driven the latter to obsolescence.
Digital protractors are one such example of tools that have become far more reliable through modern technology. Through the use of circuitry, one can easily get the precise measurement of angles without having to account for human error at all. It’s simple and easy to use, which is why it’s commonly found in many workshops and professional studios. Here’s how to find the right digital protractor for your next project.
What is a digital protractor?
A digital protractor is a special type of protractor designed to measure an angle as accurately as possible through the use of electronics. It can come in many different styles and configurations, but the main idea is the same— the device measures how much the protractor has been adjusted, and calculates the exact angle based on the adjustment.
Why do you need a digital protractor?
Unless you’re currently studying in college, there’s probably little reason why you’d need a digital protractor out of work. But here are some reasons why you’d need them if they’re relevant to your line of work:
They’re accurate
Whether you’re drawing a background for your painting or art piece or you’re measuring up dimensions for an architectural blueprint, accuracy is paramount. Even the slightest of errors can cost you precious time and resources in the future, which is why you want to make sure every single measurement you make is accurate.
With digital protractors, you don’t need to recheck your measurements or guess. The device accurately gives you the exact measurements you need, which means you don't need to waste time by measuring multiple times.
They’re reliable
No matter how professional one is, everyone is prone to human error. And in the line of work where accuracy is a must, reliability follows close behind. Even if you can be accurate with one million measurements, as long as you fail one, the entire project could fall into jeopardy. You must be sure that every single measurement is accurate, no matter how many times you measure them.
Since using our eyes can easily cause a human error, the use of digital protractors ensures that the only mistake you can make is misreading the numbers displayed on the tool. And since it’s easier to use than traditional protractors, digital protractors are far more reliable, not to mention faster to use too.
Things to consider when buying a Digital Protractor
Keep these tips in mind when getting a digital protractor.
Length
Length is an interesting metric to discuss when talking about digital protractors. You see, for some measuring tools, such as rulers, length is very important. You can only measure as long as the ruler itself. For digital protractors, however, the story is a little different.
Pretty much every single digital protractor can measure either 180 or 360 degrees. And since 360 degrees is the maximum, no matter how “long” the protractor arms are, it won’t make a difference, since the length of the arm won’t affect the range of measurement. It can, however, affect accuracy.
The shorter the length of the protractor arm, the more prone one can be to make a measurement mistake. With longer arms, you can more easily see if they line up perfectly with whatever you’re measuring. However, longer protractors can be difficult to store, transport, or work with in small spaces. At the end of the day, it all comes down to what you really need.
Range
The range of the protractor is also vital when picking one. Digital protractors can measure up to either 180 or 360 degrees. 180 degrees is a straight line, whereas 360 degrees is a circle, for those unfamiliar. You may think that the 360-degree protractor is bigger, and therefore better, but that isn’t always the case.
Say, for example, you’re measuring a set of angles, but you know that the maximum angle is only 180 degrees. In this case, having a 360-degree protractor is useless, and you may even get the wrong measurement since it can go over 180 degrees. 180-degree protractors are limited to 180 degrees, so you can measure below 180 degrees more easily than with a 360-degree digital protractor.
Battery life
Finally, there’s the battery life. Digital protractors run on electronics, and electronics don’t work without power. Digital protractors run on batteries, and thankfully most, if not all, digital protractors have replaceable batteries. Just be sure to have the proper backup batteries on hand.
Digital protractor price range
For how useful they are, digital protractors are, surprisingly, very cheap, and you can get your hands on a good digital protractor for less than $10. For more high-quality digital protractors with up to 360 degrees of measurement, you will end up spending quite a bit more, though it’s unlikely that you’ll be spending more than $40 on a single digital protractor.
How do we choose the best digital protractors?
We choose our digital protractors based on their size, shape, range, and brand history. We factor in price, customer reviews, brand reliability, and product specifications to determine if a product should be considered one of the best. Our extensive research is sure to provide you with the top products available on today’s market.
FAQ
Can I use my phone as a protractor?
There are AR (augmented reality) protractor apps available online, and they can give you an estimate of any angle it can recognize. However, the reliability and accuracy of such apps are still unclear. For now, you’re better off with a physical protractor, but if you’re in an urgent situation where a guesstimate will suffice, the phone protractor will do.
How do digital protractors work?
Essentially, the device uses a sensitive liquid that changes depending on the angle of the protractor, which sends signals that then relay the actual value through the screen, displayed in numbers.