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Discussion Forum

Rotary lasers

davidmeiland | Posted in Tools for Home Building on March 11, 2006 06:41am

OK, so I decided to pop for a rotary laser. Bought the Stabila 05000, or LAPR, as it is variously labeled. $600+, and frankly it’s a complete disappointment, because the beam is barely visible even indoors. Working on the first floor, second floor deck already on, no rock, so it’s pretty dark…. and I can’t see the line unless I position the unit within 10 feet of the wall, and even then it’s sketchy.

It does come with the rose-colored glasses, and those help, but I wear prescription glasses and need to keep them on. Stumbling around a jobsite with dark glasses and blurry vision is out of the question. Using the detector is OK in some circumstances but mainly just a PITA.

There are a couple of other units I’m aware of. The Porter-Cable/RoboLaser, which a friend has, is apparently brighter. Then I noticed that PLS makes a 360 and a 360e, at nearly $700 and $1000+.  Then there’s stuff like Topcon at well over a thousand.

Got one you like? Or, should I lower my expectations and use this one? Anyone using the PLS models?

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  1. User avater
    MarkH | Mar 11, 2006 06:46pm | #1

    You need a laser detector, it works in sunlight. Laser output is limited, so none are bright outside.

    1. davidmeiland | Mar 11, 2006 06:48pm | #2

      I'm not talking about outside, I'm inside in normal to dim light. My PLS5 is at least 3 times as bright as the Stabila. As I mentioned above the Stabila comes with a detector. It's so damn loud I'd rather not use it. It may have silent mode, I'm not sure.

      1. User avater
        MarkH | Mar 11, 2006 06:58pm | #3

        Sounds kind of weak then.  Most lasers are plenty bright inside. Maybe you have a dud.

        1. davidmeiland | Mar 11, 2006 07:03pm | #4

          I was wondering about that too. Saw the same laser at the JLC show a year ago, worked great inside the convention center, which was a brightly lit place. I thought I could expect great stuff from Stabila.

          1. stinger | Mar 12, 2006 08:38pm | #7

            If I was going to get another laser, one that could be used in daylight, I would get the PLS2e with detector.

            Not quite as accurate as one of the thousand-dollar rotating ones, but pretty good all the same.

            Stabila-worship can lead to minor disappointments, sometimes.

      2. alias | Mar 12, 2006 09:55pm | #8

        dave - been finding myself sniffing around the pls 5, do you have a critique of that model . of the + and - 's . would appreciate any advice..... thanks kent.." we judge ourselves by our motives, and others by their actions........."

        1. davidmeiland | Mar 12, 2006 10:11pm | #9

          Absolutely great tool, except it does not rotate unless you walk over to the tripod and do it by hand. If you need to shoot a few points and then get to work, it's perfect. If you need to check level at various points throughout a long task, it's a pain, because you need to either have a helper, or walk over to the tripod and try to aim the dot at where your tape will be. I would get the 5x model, it's brighter, easily used outdoors in overcast, indoors anywhere.

          1. alias | Mar 13, 2006 12:38am | #10

            many thanks, i'll be doddling with one before spring ..... thanks again... kent" we judge ourselves by our motives, and others by their actions........."

    2. MikeSmith | Mar 13, 2006 01:42am | #11

      my $600  Levelite just shid the bed.. and apparently  they are out of business,

       so i called Matt ( Quartermeg ) and he shipped me a new  Stanley FatMax for less than  $200

      Matt can get you anything you want

      the old Levelite had 3 beams , this has 5..... same accuracy , same visibility  ( good )Mike Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore

      1. davidmeiland | Mar 13, 2006 01:45am | #12

        5 beams... so not a rotary laser?

        I decided to try a PLS 360e. Amazon lists them for over a thousand bucks, but other places have them at about $500.

        1. MikeSmith | Mar 13, 2006 01:53am | #13

          i 've got a rotary i bought from Matt last year.. also less that $200

           rotarys suck , too much d*cking aroung with setup.. i like self-leveling instant on point and shootMike Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore

          1. jeffwoodwork | Mar 15, 2006 09:03pm | #14

            Don't want to hog the thread but I too am looking for a RL, I have a Gizmo which works fine indoors settings cabinets and ect.  I need to do some site work and I'm usually alone so a standard level transit won't work.  Looked at the David White 3110GR any thoughts in this area?

            Did CST Berger buy out David White or ?

            Jeff

          2. user-124520 | Mar 16, 2006 03:28am | #17

            On my jobsites we use the hilti rotational with a catch to set all benchmarks. It is an exceptional tool though I understand its costly, its far cheaper than having to reset doors, moldings or other high priced millwork etc.

            Buy quality you'll never regret it. Best of luck, Cheers.

        2. timkline | Mar 16, 2006 01:04am | #15

          I decided to try a PLS 360e

          excellent choice. excellent. you will not be disappointed.

           carpenter in transition

        3. VTNorm | Mar 16, 2006 02:15am | #16

          Acetool.com for $380. Never bought from them but it looks like the same kit.

          -Norm

  2. danski0224 | Mar 11, 2006 07:23pm | #5

    Local tool emporium has a rotary laser with a green beam.

    Very bright indoors.

    About $1600.00

    Something like this: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0007M6BAE/qid=1142094266/sr=1-27/ref=sr_1_27/104-5301807-3881530?%5Fencoding=UTF8&s=hi&v=glance&n=228013



    Edited 3/11/2006 11:26 am ET by danski0224

  3. ruffmike | Mar 11, 2006 08:06pm | #6

    Hilti and Pls are the choices I see most, used by metal framers and t=bar crews. I hate to use the detectors (beepers) unless absolutely neccesary.I never feel comfortable with the acuracy.

    I agree you should be able to see your laser indoors except in the extreme sunlight. Maybe there is a problem with it.

    I find myself using our Hilti pmd34 and the pma74 wall mount (magnetic w/ plate for wood). It is a laser bob, but the mount will can be rotated by hand ,and i think it will go on a tripod.

                                Mike

        Trust in God, but row away from the rocks.

  4. user-124570 | Mar 16, 2006 03:48am | #18

    David,

    Try the Dewalt self leveling laser.  It's around $1200, I think, but worth it.  It comes with a remote control, a grid ceiling mount, a charger, a detector and works off my fleet of Dewalt batteries.  The technology that they use was, I think, bought from Spectra Precision who made very nice lasers of which our company has a few of still.  The Dewalt's are slowly replacing the old Spectras in our shop.

    1. JulianTracy | Mar 16, 2006 05:43am | #19

      Nobody's mentioning the mid-level priced options...I had the Dewalt manual leveling unit and was very happy with it - easy to level and very accurate, and built like a tank. They can be had for $200-$350.I've since replaced it with a Porter Cable auto-leveling unit. I think mine is the 5150 or so. They have been replaced with the the 5250 or something. I bought mine for about $250 on Ebay, and the newer ones sell for about $400 new. Not at all like the the cheaper PC/Robotools lasers - which felt very delicate and plasticy. These models are very durable and easy to use.All rotary lasers use the same type of detectors - no need to spend $150 or so on a new one - I've seen them go for as little as $25 on Ebay for David White and PorterCable models.In fact, I have a spare PorterCable detector that I've hesitated selling on Ebay cause it would probably not get much notice and thus not much bid action. Anybody need one contact me.JT

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