How to Choose the Right Protractor for Your Needs

Your Guide to buying the best Protractor

Overview

Protractors are essential tools for measuring angles, and can be used in a variety of applications such as engineering, construction, and drafting. When purchasing a protractor, there are a few key factors to consider, such as size, accuracy, durability, and ease of use. This buying guide will help you determine which protractor is best suited to your specific needs, providing an overview of the types of protractors available and the features to take into account when making a purchase.

Key features

  1. Accuracy - Protractors come in different levels of accuracy. Generally speaking, the higher the accuracy the more expensive the protractor, so it is important to consider what accuracy level is best for your needs.
  2. Materials - Protractors are typically composed of plastic or metal. Metal protractors tend to last longer and are more accurate than plastic ones, but are usually more expensive.
  3. Size - Protractors come in various sizes, ranging from small to large. It is important to consider the size of protractor needed, as a larger protractor can measure angles more precisely.
  4. Durability - Protractors are made to withstand daily use and abuse. Generally, metal protractors are more durable than plastic ones, but plastic protractors tend to be lighter and easier to transport.
  5. Ease of Use - Protractors should be easy to use and understand. A protractor that is too complex may be difficult to use and may lead to inaccurate measurements.

See the most popular Protractor on Amazon

Important considerations

Pros

  • Cross-Platform: Protractor is a cross-platform testing framework that allows users to test web applications on multiple operating systems and web browsers.
  • Integration: Protractor seamlessly integrates with other testing and development tools, such as Jasmine, Mocha, Karma, and Selenium.
  • Robust: Protractor is a robust framework that supports the testing of complex web applications with a wide variety of features.
  • Compatibility: Protractor is compatible with all major web browsers such as Chrome, Firefox, and Internet Explorer.
  • Support: Protractor has a large community of developers who are eager to help with any problems or questions that may arise.
  • Debugging: Protractor provides users with powerful debugging capabilities, such as the ability to pause test execution and analyze the state of the application.

Cons

  • Cost: Protractor can be expensive, depending on the model and features you choose.
  • Limitations: Protractors have limited use in measuring angles larger than 180 degrees.
  • Durability: Poorly made Protractors can be easily damaged if dropped or mishandled.
  • Accuracy: Some Protractors can be inaccurate, so it's important to find a quality product.
  • Maintenance: Protractors need to be maintained regularly to ensure accuracy or they may need to be replaced sooner than expected.

Best alternatives

  1. WebDriverIO - An open-source, Node.js-based end-to-end test automation framework for web applications.
  2. Cypress - A JavaScript-based end-to-end testing framework for web applications.
  3. Selenium - A portable framework for testing web applications.
  4. TestCafe - A Node.js-based web testing framework offering cross-browser testing, page object support, and automatic waiting.
  5. Nightwatch - An automated testing framework for web applications and websites, using Node.js and a Selenium server with a browser.

Related tools, supplies, and accessories

  • Protractor - A tool used to measure angles or arcs.
  • Compass - A hand-held device used to draw circles or arcs.
  • Straight Edge - A flat ruler used to draw straight lines.
  • Protractor Head - An attachment to a Protractor that facilitates drawing angles and arcs.
  • Protractor Set - A set of multiple Protractors with attachments, such as a protractor head.
  • Protractor Pencil - A pencil with a protractor head used to draw lines.
  • Drafting Kit - A set of tools used to create technical drawings, which may include a Protractor.
  • Replacement Blades - Blades that can be used to replace the Protractor head.

Common questions

  1. What is a protractor? A protractor is a tool used to measure or draw angles. It is usually made of transparent plastic or metal and is marked with degrees.
  2. What is the difference between an ordinary protractor and an accurate protractor? An ordinary protractor is usually made of plastic and is used to measure angles within a reasonable degree of accuracy. An accurate protractor is usually made of metal and is used to measure angles with a high degree of precision.
  3. What are the different types of protractors? There are several different types of protractors, including circular protractors, bevel protractors, and digital protractors.
  4. How are protractors used? Protractors are used in a variety of ways, including measuring angles and drawing angles. They are also used to construct and measure circles and arcs.
  5. What are some tips for using a protractor accurately? Some tips for using a protractor accurately include making sure the protractor is level with the surface it is measuring, lining up the protractor’s center point with the angle’s vertex, and reading the angle at the protractor’s scale.
  6. Are there any special types of protractors that are designed for specific tasks? Yes, there are special types of protractors that are designed for specific tasks. For example, there are protractors designed for measuring large angles, measuring angles in small spaces, and for measuring angles in the dark.

Trivia

One interesting fact about Protractor is that the original name for the tool was not Protractor, but instead it was called E2E. This was derived from the term "end-to-end testing", which is the type of testing that Protractor is used for. However, the developers eventually decided to change the name to Protractor, as it better reflected the tool's capabilities. This was first reported by the Angular blog in their 2017 post Introducing Protractor 5.2.

Disclaimer: This buying guide was not created by humans, and it is possible that some of it's content is inaccurate or incomplete. We do not guarantee or take any liability for the accuracy of this buying guide. Additionally, the images on this page were generated by AI and may not accurately represent the product that is being discussed. We have tried to convey useful information, but it is our subjective opinion and should not be taken as complete or factual.