Hello All,
I’m trying to get some feedback for a possible article on laser levels. There are lots out there and I’m trying to narrow the field.
I’d be looking for your comments on brands that you like (or don’t like) and why.
And, like anything else, if you throw enough money at it, you’ll eventually get a good one. But, are there any partucularly good lasers out there for the money?
Thanks,
Chris Green
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Replies
Grabber LVS 3
robo tools makes one they call the robo square. $99.00 bucks at home depot.. I bought it on the recommendation of many contractors who choose it over the Hilti..
I've got a Stabila laser transit that works great, cost a fortune years back. I've got a Robo 3 way level. shoots 3 beams at 90º to each other, works well. One of those little snail looking things that shoots a line, neat gizmo occasionally.
They're like computers, the features double as the price halves, about every 6 months it seems.
And dogs don't seem to notice the red spot dancing in front of them.
Joe H
I have a ball with my dog when he cjhases the red spot.. (maybe your dog is color blind? )
I think they see it, just doesn't interest them. Cats chase it.
Maybe if it smelled like something?
Joe H
My New Foundland/ St Bernard cross will chase it untill he loses it (when I shut it off). which I do once the lamps start to fly or he knocks over the sofa. whichever comes first..;-)
I bought the Hilti after price checking around with transit shops here. More geared for what we do, works upright or on its side, doesn't get thrown out of whack by sunlight or weather, shoots a 90 degree out the nose, and you can either look at the red dot inside or get a beam catcher for longer distances or in sunlight. Three speeds and manual, x/y adjust, self levelling. If someone hits the stand, it stops so your lines don't end up out of kilter.
"The child is grown / The dream is gone / And I have become / Comfortably numb " lyrics by Roger Waters
Which Hilti do you have, the PM 24? If so, have you found it easy to use?
You win. Made me go look. PR16. Yes, real easy to use. Takes about 45 seconds to learn how to operate. "The child is grown / The dream is gone / And I have become / Comfortably numb " lyrics by Roger Waters
Don't limit the article to just levels. Be sure to include the x-y and x-y-z shooters.
gary katz did a laser review for JLC might see if you can find it on the JLC site.
When I bought the "Gizmo" it was one of the best deals I ever made on a tool. I worked with a friend doing a very precise layout in a third story addition. He didn't trust my Gizmo so we laid it all out with his transit. That took the two of us about fourty minutes. When we got done I set up the Gizmo and redid it by myself in about ten minutes. The lines were all within 1/16" + or -. That was the last time we used the transit.
Hilti is the way to go. I can set my benchmarks, then with the same laser I can lay out my lines for stone. The only flaw that I know of is that my boss told me it cost 400.00 to calibrate, now if that is true or not I don't know. And of course a Hilti rep will come out to the job site.
I'm not much of a laser fan. When they work they are fine. They can save a lot of trouble. At least when they are properly set up, frequently recalibrated and fresh batteries are available.
But it pays to regularly check the calibration on that $600 model, even the self leveling ones, with a $20 water level. With the slightest care in set up a water level is inherently accurate and can be read around corners. But then again I'm just an electrician. I can often get it close enough by watching to see if a round pencil rolls off, by eye or comparing plumb with a watch chain. Often using a 8" torpedo level is too much trouble. We ain't buildin a pinano here.
Don kneed no stinkin layzzer.
Don'tcha worry about them electrons all rolling back down hill to the meter if the outlets are too high?
Joe H
I keep a magnet, positive side of course, pointed at the outlet farthest from the meter. It keeps the negatively charges electrons from flowing back. An added bonus is that it keeps my wires full of electrons and makes all of my appliances come on faster. Before a thunderstorm I often park my truck over the feed to my house. The extra pressure on the lines keeps the lightning strikes out because the higher voltages take up more room.
:P
Damn, I never though of a magnet corralling them in. Mine all leak out at night and it takes forever to get the coffee pot going in the morning.
I'm gonna see if Harbor Freight has a big ol Harbor Freight Special to slap on the kitchen outlet that's furthest from the meter base. I was thinking of moving the meter down to outlet height, but this sounds much easier. Plus it won't be so slippery walking out in the kitchen in the morning. Those little electron balls are like walking on bead blast stuff.
Joe H
I have a David White level-it-yourself rotating laser. It was around $800 a few years back, although I paid quite a bit less for it. I find it real handy if I am working in dim light, but in bright areas, the photons just don't have enough zip to see them with the naked eyeball, and using the target is sometimes a bother. I want to level the forms on the foundation I am about to build, but I will probably have to wait until almost dark unless I use the target.
I have an old Top Gun torpedo laser level that I got second hand that puts out a much brighter spot and I find I often use it in brighter areas. I once shot it down a 600' fence line after dusk and could see the spot fine, except that it was about a foot in diameter at that distance.
We bought a DeWalt rechargeable 18v that you must level yourself. The self leveling units are much more accurate BUT, I think ours is more versatile. We initially bought it for commercial metal stud wall layout and drop ceiling work. With this device to lay out a wall line for a 200' long hallway: set up the unit on its side on the floor, laser rotating vertically over snapped line on floor. get unit close to level. turn off bump sensor. one man uses target over snapped line on floor 200' away while one man moves laser to alignment. final level adjustments. you now have 200' long plumb line on ceiling for top plate. this process takes about 3 to 5 minutes. the ability to turn off the bump sensor is key for this type of setup. the unit comes with a tripod mount and a wall angle clamp with a rack and pinion height adjustment system. the laser target is a must for any laser. without it outdoors, the laser is useless unless used at night. we take good care of the unit, it has held up well. the next purchase will be a PL 5 with a target. fantastic layout tool once again. different applications.
carpenter in transition
Hi Chris:
About a year ago I purchased the same level that Tim Kline mentioned, the Dewalt DW073KD and have been extremely happy with it. The last two houses that we've built have a total of 75 concrete foundation piers, and using the laser made it a simple task to get them all level. My favorite feature is the "Goldylocks Beep" emited by the detector. No matter where I was on the jobsite, I could hear if a worker was setting a form ...too high...too low...or just right!
After setting up the unit in a central location, I will often grab a scrap of 1x material to use in place of the grade rod. We clamp the detector to this and scribe (and label) whatever heights we need onto it. Sort of a high-tech story pole, that has greatly reduced errors.
Another usefull feature is the supended ceiling clamp. This has made one of my least favorite commercial layout jobs simple. No more string lines!
I've copied an image from Dewalt's site that shows Tim Kline's application, thanks for the tip Tim I will have to try it.
View Image
Dennis
Hey Chris,
Congratulations (late) on the job. I enjoyed your first article very much.
I've built two houses using the Robolaser. These were houses built from the ground down. I've used it for excavation, footings, wall forms, laying out decks, cabinetry, picture moulding, window openings, floor systems, fascia, other things too. I think it's an okay value for the money, but it is like a toy compared to more expensive units like the David White. On the plus side, it's reasonably priced, light and verstatile. On the negative, it goes through batteries really fast; it is somewhat fragile (mine is currently disabled, antenna broke off in a slight fall). It shuts down in a short period of being in direct sunlight, which to me is very frustrating. Hard to see the red dot in decent light, better at beginning and end of day. Kind of herky jerky in operation, I have spent lots of time trying to find the dot.
Good luck
Robo Lazer,
is what I have.. I find it's a breeze to use. I love the fact that I can set it level and have three lines to work from.. vertical, horizontal, and straight ahead..
In bright sunlight I'll use a piece of white carboard to pick up the line. according to tests it's more accurate than I can be over 30 to 40 feet.. the batteries seem to last a long time. Mine is still the original one..
I have the RoboVector, I think the one you have. My favorite use for it is finding roof leaks on high ceilings. Set it in the middle of the puddle, and the spot points you to the leak...
Rich.
I never thought of that use.. for me it's invaluable to setting timbers straight and level when you can't climb out on them to use a regular level or you want to ensure that all the beams line up correctly..
Frenchy-
That is the Robo vector. It is not a levelling laser but is made for straight lines and right angles. Different animal.
Hey Mad Dog,
Thanks very much for your comments.
The Robolaser sounds versatile enough, but you've also had some trouble. Going through lots of batteries is a hassle and durability is essential. Have you talked with the owners of other lasers and found that they've had similar stories? Or maybe yours is unique?
Hi Chris:
The Dewalt laser uses the any of the full range of Dewalt rechargable batteries - from 9.6V to 18V. As we use a variety of their cordless tools, finding a fresh battery is never a problem.
Dennis
No Chris,
I haven't seen anyone else using it. The concrete guys loved it, though they had a much better laser usually. Homeowners are impressed. But regarding the battery problem, I don't know if it is just my unit individually, or if it is common to the model itself.
All the subs I've had have had heavy duty, regular laser levels mounted on big tripods. Made me feel kind of cheap, but then again, it allowed me to do a lot of work I never used to take on because I couldn't afford to buy the bigtime lasers for the little bit I would have used it for.
Unfortunately, now I pass on using it a lot because of the problems I mentioned. Today, in fact, I am building a Pergola that could benefit from a laser, but I'll probably just use a level instead of hassling with it. Stabila levels are almost as good as a laser anyway!
Edited 5/6/2003 9:36:09 AM ET by Mad Dog
Spectra Physics....I think they were bought by Trimble. Excellent site laser. Must be used with a target, no visible beam. I've got two of them that I've had for about 15 years.
John
J.R. Lazaro Builders, Inc.
Indianapolis, In.
http://www.lazarobuilders.com
Hi Chris,
I realize that I am a little late on this, but I too also contacted FHB about writing an article on lasers and they told me it was in the works. I have used a PLS 5 for about 4 years and it has never let me down. My grade laser is Spectra Physics, a bit pricey at $1500 for the head unit alone, but these tools are used at the most crucial phases of construction.
Chris,
Glad you asked. If you look on page 124 of the new issue of FHB you have a add for Pacific Laser Systems. PLS has a entire family of lasers for all sorts of uses one neater then the next, with some over lapping uses. I have the PLS2 as showen in the add. It shoots very bright hoz. & vert. lines, one at a time or both at the same time. I use this laser every day and come up with new uses all the time, it is a great buy at around $300.00. I also have the PLS5x. This laser shoots 5 points, left-right-up-down & straight out front. It works great for another bunch of lay out tricks. This laser is available in 2 models the 5 & the 5x, both shoot 5 points , however the 5x can be used with a receiver. This is the only point to point laser that can be seen by a electronic receiver that I know of. Receivers see movement not points so PLS made the 5x blink 600/min. !!! The PLS5x cost me around $700.00 & receiver another $174.00. The reg. PLS 5 is around $600.00. A very important feature for any laser is SELF-LEVELING this is a must. My PLS2 levels itself in about 1-1.5 seconds & the 5 takes about 3-5 seconds.
The only thing that I dont like is EVERYONE that sees these lasers in use, ask for a demo. And of course I just hate showing them off.
I will say using them has been pure profit for me.
I am also buying PLS's laser measuring device, just point & get a digital distance.
Paul.
I'll throw another name into the mix. I picked up an Agatec A410 self leveling rotary about 3 years ago through the Laserjamb Co. Package deal: laser, 12' laser jamb pole, remote control, remote detector, goofy glasses. All for about $1400.00
I've used it on indoor jobs for the most part. Drop ceilings, setting walls, cabinets, shelves. Projects line or dot, variable rotation rotation rate, shoots 90 degree dot from rotating beam. The remote is a handy feature moving the laser line around the room when its not rotating and right/left moment when setting walls. My laser currently needs to be recalibrated. Called the company and they will recalibrate at no charge.
As a mounting device the Laserjamb is superb. Set your height in seconds and go.
I see in the most recent Laserjamb add they have two laser packages. One with the same laser I have (I think) but in the laserjamb colors (yellow), mine is blue and white. The other is a cross hair projection.