In-depth review
Komelon True Control 25 ft Tape Measure (TC25) Review (2027)
The True Control TC25 replaces the lock button with grip-controlled retraction. Our research-based verdict for one-handed measuring.
Komelon True Control 25 ft Tape Measure (TC25)
Grip-controlled retraction: squeeze to hold, relax to reel in, with no lock button to hunt for.
Our verdict
The True Control is the most interesting tape here because it removes something: the lock button. Squeeze to hold, relax to reel in, with printed fractions and backside printing for readability. The first week is an adjustment, and borrowers will be confused, but for one-handed ladder and finish work the grip system is a genuine improvement once it becomes muscle memory.
What we like
- Retraction controlled by grip pressure, so the blade pays out and reels in under one hand's command
- Printed fractions plus backside printing, covering both quick reads and overhead work
- A design aimed at intuitive one-handed operation, with no extra buttons or switches
- A compact-feeling case for a full 25 ft tape
What to watch out for
- Grip control is genuinely unfamiliar at first, and early users over-squeeze or under-squeeze the case
- It is a newer line than the classics here, so long-term durability reports are thinner
- Owners who lend tools find borrowers confused by the missing lock button
What owners report: Komelon True Control 25 ft Tape Measure (TC25)
Synthesized from recurring themes in long-term owner feedback.
Most praised
- One-handed measuring on a ladder feels calmer because the blade never runs away unexpectedly
- Finish owners like reading fractions directly instead of converting sixteenths in their heads
- The case disappears into a pouch more easily than the wide-blade brutes in this guide
Common complaints
- The first week brings fumbled retractions while the grip pressure becomes muscle memory
- Borrowers who pick it up cold cannot find the lock and assume the tape is broken
- Long-term spring and grip wear is still an open question for a newer mechanism
Who it is for
Finish workers, ladder users and anyone whose thumb tires of lock buttons or who measures one-handed often.
Grip control, explained
Instead of a button, the True Control uses grip pressure: tighten your hold and the blade stays, relax it and the blade retracts under control. There are no extra buttons or switches to find, which matters on a ladder or with a pencil in hand. The learning curve is real but short: most users report the system feeling natural within a few days of regular use.
Readability for finish work
Printed fractions on the blade suit finish and cabinet work, where sixteenth conversions slow marking, and backside printing covers overhead reads. The case is compact for a full 25 ft tape, so it carries more easily than the wide-blade tapes while still covering full-length measurements.
The newness caveat
This is a newer line than the classics here, so long-term reports on grip and spring wear are thinner than for a PowerLock or FatMax. Borrowers picking it up cold cannot find a lock and may assume it is broken. Owners who buy deliberately and keep it as a personal tape, rather than a shared crew tape, report the fewest complaints.
Key specifications
- Length
- 25 ft
- Retraction
- Grip-controlled, per listing
- Blade print
- Printed fractions, backside printing
- Model
- TC25
Also consider
Komelon Self Lock 25 ft Tape Measure (SL2825)
The self-lock original: the blade stays out on its own until the button says otherwise.
Why consider it: The conventional self-lock Komelon for owners who want hands-free hold with a button
- Length: 25 ft
- Blade width: 1 in
Craftsman 25 ft Chrome Tape Measure (CMHT37325S)
A chrome-case tape with self-lock and retraction control for the home shop.
Why consider it: Self-lock plus retraction control in a familiar chrome case for home shops
- Length: 25 ft
- Blade width: 1 in
Research-based assessment. TrueGear has not hands-on tested this product; this evaluation synthesizes manufacturer specifications, retailer documentation, and published expert reviews.
Questions, answered
How long does grip control take to learn?
Most users report a few days of regular use. The common early mistakes are over-squeezing, which holds the blade too firmly, and relaxing too suddenly, which reels it in fast. Deliberate practice on the first jobs smooths both out.
Can I lend the True Control to a helper?
You can, but expect confusion: helpers look for a lock button that is not there. A ten-second explanation before handing it over prevents most of the problem.
Does grip control wear out?
Long-term data is thinner than for conventional locks, which is the honest caveat. The mechanism has fewer moving parts than a button lock, but only time and heavy use will settle its durability record.
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