Affordable Sndway SW-T40 Laser Distance Meter

I already have a couple of laser distance meter reviews under my belt. This time, a friend wanted a simple model too, so he ordered one for himself to try out and tell us about it in a short review.


In this review, I’ll tell you a bit about the distance meter itself, compare it with the two I got quite a while ago, and, of course, run a few tests.

The box has Sndway’s signature orange-and-black design, with various models from the range shown on top.


Compared with the model I have, the packaging looks tiny.
This is the entry-level model, with a measuring range of up to 40 m. There are also 60, 80 and 100 m versions. The product page also lists an even simpler option, the SW-T4S, for $12.83. It has 6 buttons instead of 7 and no bubble level. In my opinion, it would be fine for less demanding users.


The package includes:
1. SW-T40 distance meter
2. Case
3. Wrist strap
4. Manual
5. Reflective target card.



The card is just white; it makes measurements easier in bright light. The case and strap are handy. I ended up using the case and strap with my very first distance meter, and threw the box away since I had no use for it.


The manual is entirely in English. Other than the language, I have no complaints: it includes all the necessary specifications and operating instructions.


It looks very neat, with a black body and green accents (the 60 m model has red accents, the 80 m one orange, and the 100 m one blue).
The body is plastic, with no rubber inserts. It sits comfortably in the hand, and the buttons click distinctly when pressed.


The LCD is at the top, with seven buttons below it:
1. Power/measure
2, 3. Add and subtract functions/mute
4. Select geometric measurements and area.
5. Memory
6. Select the measurement reference point: the rear or front edge of the body.
7. Clear the readings/power off.


There’s a wrist-strap attachment point on the right; the left side is blank.


It has a bubble level. My newer model has an electronic one instead, while my older one has no level at all. Honestly, I can’t say I’ve ever missed it :)
The level is a bit odd. If you change its position by a lot, the bubble moves normally. But if, for example, you first push it all the way to one end and then set the distance meter horizontally, the bubble takes a loooong time to return to the middle. I timed it out of curiosity: about 12 seconds! And that was in summer, when it’s warm and the liquid flows more freely.


Nothing interesting on the front: just the laser emitter aperture and the photodetector lens.


It runs on two AAA batteries, which aren’t included. My SNDWAY SW-S70 has rechargeable batteries (included), which is definitely more convenient. Unfortunately, they’re nickel-cadmium, not lithium.


For context, here are the specific distance meters I’m comparing this one with:
On the left, the 60 m RZD-60 — review
In the middle, the one under review
On the right, the 70 m SW-S70 — review


The display is clearly a universal design, probably used in almost all of this manufacturer’s models, except for those with color displays and perhaps a few others.


The white backlight stays on for about 10 seconds before switching off. The display is easy to read both with and without the backlight.


There are six geometric measurement modes:
1. Area
2. Volume
3, 4. Height. For example, you can measure the height of a pole, building or wall without climbing to the top. You need to take two measurements: to the top and horizontally (which is what the level is for). The result is the height above the level where the distance meter is positioned, so keep that in mind.
5, 6. Measuring the width or length of hard-to-reach objects, such as the length of a roof. The meter prompts you to measure the hypotenuse first, then the adjacent side, and finally calculates the length.
All the modes have prompts in the form of flashing bars showing what you’re measuring, but in the several years I’ve had these, I’ve only used this feature a couple of times.



1, 2. Addition (subtraction works the same way): take a measurement, press +, take another measurement, and the sum appears. You can take and add several measurements in one session.
3. If the rangefinder can’t “see” its laser spot, it displays Error 1.
4. The batteries were old, and during continuous measurement the device started complaining with an Error 3 message.


There are only two reference-point options: the front or rear end of the housing. The SW-S70 also has an intermediate option, if I’m not mistaken, using the tripod mounting point.
Continuous measurement displays the maximum, minimum, and current values. It’s a very handy feature, but since the laser runs almost constantly in this mode, power consumption is at its highest, so it’s best not to overuse it.


Just a first comparison: I placed them side by side and measured the distance to the wall.


Checking the minimum measurable distance. The actual distance was 155 mm for the first two and 200 mm for the third.


Here, all three were 305 mm from the wall. The one under review gives the most accurate reading, though to be fair, laser rangefinders have a hard time measuring distances this short. It’s strange that the first one gave such a high reading.


The next tests are closer to real-world use.
I didn’t measure the exact distance; this was just a comparison to see how much the readings varied. In my opinion, a difference of a couple of millimeters at five meters is perfectly normal.


This is the maximum distance I can measure at home right now. Some of the error came from having to aim the laser spot at exactly the same place: if you simply put the rangefinders next to each other and press the Measure button, their beams point all over the place. At this distance, the alignment between the laser module and the rangefinder housing also matters.


The farthest I managed to measure from the balcony to the neighboring building was almost 39 m. Beyond that, an error appeared. I couldn’t actually see the spot while measuring, of course (I was measuring during the day), and it’s quite possible the beam was hitting the windows.


That’s the whole mini-review. Today’s conclusions will be just as brief.
In my opinion, the device is worth the money. It has all the necessary features, and its measuring range is sufficient for household use, such as renovating an apartment. But if you’re dealing with a detached house, I’d probably go for a model with a longer range. Battery power also makes it suitable for household use, and with good alkaline batteries it should run for a long time. For professional use, I’d choose a rechargeable model.
Overall, I liked it. Recommended.

That’s all from me. I hope you found the review useful.