Titaner Tiroler 2.0 EDC measuring tool review – measuring is on a roll

REVIEW – I like to fancy myself as a creative person. I love the dopamine hit that comes with creating something unique. Creating requires measuring, and I do appreciate a unique measuring tool. I’ve reviewed two digital measuring tapes for The Gadgeteer (here and here), and now the Titaner Tiroler 2.0 is in my hand. This very unique measuring device is also a work of art. I hope I can do it justice with the written word. It does require hands-on experience to grasp its utility, design, and craftsmanship completely. I will do my best.

⬇︎ Jump to summary (pros/cons)
Price: Metric:$75.00, Imperial: $85.00 (Both models are currently discounted for early bird backers)
Where to buy: Kickstarter

What is it?

The Titaner Tiroler 2.0 is the second iteration of a unique curve-measuring tool from Titaner. The Tiroler 2.0 is a mostly titanium, ring-like measuring device that you roll across the surface of the thing being measured. It comes in either metric or imperial units models.

What’s included?

• Titaner Tiroler 2.0
• Necklace/Lanyard cord
• Gift box
• Extra O-ring “tires”

Tech specs

• Single rotation length: Metric: 10 cm; Imperial: 5 in.
• Materials: Titanium and steel
• Dimensions: Metric: 31.84 mm x 8 mm; Imperial: 40.44 mm x 9 mm
• Weight: 16g

Design and features

The Titaner Tiroler 2.0 features a ring-like design with a very smooth inner rolling mechanism. There is a triangular window showing the centimeter count (0-10), with in-between marks for millimeters. At the very bottom is a tick mark that is used to line up with the beginning and end of the measurement.

The outside edge of the inner rolling mechanism has a rubber ring (like a tire), that adds grip while using the Tiroler. This is one of the improvements made from the previous version of the Tiroler. This rubber ring is replaceable, and the Tiroler came with a few, differently colored rings.

To use the Tiroler, line up the tick mark, grip either the center or the edge, and roll it along the surface, pressing ever so slightly downward to keep the Tiroler rolling and not slipping on the surface.

For the metric model (which is what I had for this review), there is a tactile “click” every 10 centimeters, which is one full rotation of the inner roller. For the imperial model, it “clicks” every 5 inches. As you roll it along while measuring, you count the clicks. When done, view the number in the window, and the number of millimeters after the number. Your measurement is the number of clicks times 10. Add the number shown, and the number of ticks after the number is the decimal point. For example: With 5 clicks, the number shown is 7, and with 3 ticks after the 7, the measurement would be 57.3 centimeters, or 573 millimeters.

The Titaner Tiroler 2.0 also came with a necklace/lanyard cord that can be used to wear the Tiroler as a piece of jewelry or to hang on to it a little more easily. I’m not a jewelry wearer, but I could see that wearing this would be a conversation starter. It is very unique.

The Tiroler is also designed to be a great fidget toy.

Performance

The Titaner Tiroler 2.0 is packaged very well in a nice gift box. The presentation is commiserate with its choice of materials and its level of engineering.

Using the Titaner Tiroler 2.0 is quite a different experience from using a ruler, a tape measure (metal or cloth), or any other method of measuring. At first, I would lose count of the clicks as I was amazed at the engineering of this little marvel. Rolling the Tiroler on almost any surface was easy and weirdly satisfying.

I tested the accuracy of measuring in a straight line, and it was dead-on accurate. I drew a 15 cm measurement on a piece of paper and measured it with the Tiroler. After one click (10 cm), the number 5 was showing in the window perfectly lined up. Exactly 15 cm.

Measuring a curved surface took a little practice for me. The change in direction would cause me to lift on the Tiroler slightly, and it would slip on the surface instead of rolling. After a little while, I got the hang of it, and it became easier and easier.

Measuring into or through a corner is possible with a little math, and knowing the diameter (or radius) of the model of Tiroler you are using. When encountering a 90º corner, you simply keep rolling on both surfaces and then add the diameter of the Tiroler, which is 31.8 mm for the metric model, or 1 9/16 inches for the imperial model. If the measurement stops at the corner, add the radius, which is half the diameter. It takes a little math, but it can be accomplished.

Swapping the rubber rings on the Tiroler was simple and added a little color to an otherwise monochromatic device.

One issue I found when measuring something that was close to any 10cm value (10, 20, 30, etc.), the measurement wheel would advance to the full 10cm number when I lifted the Tiroler to read the measurement. This would happen because of the magnet used for the tactile clicking. For example, if I were measuring a table top length, and the actual measurement was 79.5 cm (7 clicks + 9.5 cm), the Tiroler would jump to the 10 cm value when I lifted it up, instead of staying at the 9.5 mark. To alleviate this, I would have to read the number in the window before lifting the Tiroler from the surface.

Final thoughts

The Titaner Tiroler 2.0 is a very beautiful, well-crafted piece of engineering. As far as I have seen, there is nothing else like it. It’s fun to use and very accurate in most circumstances. Measuring curved and oddly shaped surfaces is where the Tiroler 2.0 shines. Even when not measuring anything, I would find myself playing with it. Check out the Kickstarter page (linked below) for a bunch more info, colors, add-ons, and background on this unique tool.

What I like about the Titaner Tiroler 2.0

• Extremely well made
• Very smooth movement
• O-rings added grip on smooth surfaces
• Great fidget device

What needs to be improved?

• Measurements ending close to a multiple of 10cm would jump to the 10cm mark

Price: Metric:$75.00, Imperial: $85.00 (Both models are currently discounted for early bird backers)
Where to buy: Kickstarter
Source: The sample of this product was provided for free by Titaner. Titaner did not have a final say on the review and did not preview the review before it was published.

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