Laser Level

   / Laser Level #1  

JimMorrissey

Veteran Member
Joined
Jul 5, 2001
Messages
1,804
Location
Southern Maine (now)
Tractor
'05/'06 L39 TLB
Who's got one....how does it work outdoors and what would you get if you could do it over again?

I need one I can use by myself outdoor. I don't think the cheap stuff is going to cut it (< $500). Maybe Ebay is the way to go on a good used professional model.
 
   / Laser Level #2  
I bought one of the cheap ones from Sam's Club for around $40. It sure come in handy on my recent addition. It is not a more expensive rotary type, but it served its purpose. It shoots out a line both horizontal and vertical and each one can be turned on seperately. It came with a small tri-pod and has the capability of turning 360 degrees although manually. It is self leveling if you get the tri-pod close. I believe it has a built in gyro to level.
 
   / Laser Level #3  
I have a cheapy from HF. It works very well. I have used it on numerous projects. Direct sunlight does make the spot hard to see (but not impossible), so I use it on my outdoor projects in the evening. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
   / Laser Level #4  
I bought a $100 version from sears. It didn't cut it outside. Lack of autolevel slows you down alot. Took it back.

I bought a robotoolz autoleveler for ~500. Haven't really used it yet to give it an evaluation, but so far I'm impressed (played around checking calibration etc.)
 
   / Laser Level #5  
I purchased the DeWalt DW073KD Laser Level about 2 1/2 years ago and it has been very good for my use. It doesn't have the self leveling features of the newer units, but overall, I would recommend it to you without hesitation. Depending on your choice of tool, I have found that http://www.toolking.com/index.asp has very good prices on many of the national brands. They also sell factory reconditioned tools. I have purchased some of the reconditioned tools and have been very satisfied with them. I have found that since the warranty is the same, it is better than spending more for the same product that doesn't have a burned in "tattoo" indicating that it has been reconditioned. Just remember that no matter what brand that you purchase, you only get one chance to knock them over. After than the accuracy is gone until you have it professionally recalibrate.

Just found this report from Popular Mechanics on the DeWalt..... http://www.popularmechanics.com/home_improvement/tools/1274011.html
 
   / Laser Level #6  
Pretty happy with mine so far. Just got it last week. Haven't gotten the chance to do more than peg it. My previous post
 
   / Laser Level #7  
The plain laser levels are poor for outdoor use, even in overcast conditions. Only at dusk or night are they effective.

You could go with a rotary, for large scale leveling. I got a Sears for about $100. You can then shell out another $100 for a receiver that will mount on a surveyor's rule. With the receiver, the rotary works fine in daylight conditions, and is great for setting elevation pins and similar needs.

Bottom line is that a rotary with a receiver will work well outdoors, but the other types are pretty much limited to indoor needs (the receivers works only with rotarys). For indoor use I have a Black and Becker 360 degree (non-rotary) self leveling unit, which works very well (indoors).

paul
 
   / Laser Level #8  
Jim, I posted this question just a little bit ago. I found one that looks great, Amazon sells it (so you can easily retun it if you do not like it). It's made by PLS, is a non rotating 360 degree, auto level, indoor mode uses solid laser, outdoor mode uses pulsating (although you can't see it pulsate) but it needs it to pulsate so the receiver (included) can read the laser. It is a cheap, "costly" laser. About $650 at Amazon. I almost bought it when I saw it $799 at Amazon and another place for $650. I would have gotten a 10% discount plus I had $50 of gift certificates. I got to try this one out at a local lumber store. It has to be the fastest setup laser there is. The indoor laser is brite.
 
   / Laser Level #9  
I use the Dewalt self leveling rotating laser. Bought it from www.toolking.com almost two years ago and it has worked great! I paid about $1300 for the laser and tripod. The self leveling feature is a huge time saver for me since I use it frequently. It came with a mounting bracket that you can screw to a wall or post and do fine elevation adjustments with its knobs, great for decking or hung ceilings.
 
   / Laser Level #10  
I purchased a Porter Cable self leveling Laser Level from Sears 2 Years ago and have used it on a lot of projects. Every thing from leveling stone for to drain fields, Concrete floors , pouring floors , It also has a plumb feature that is nice. Also the remote reader really is helpful for working alone. Don't forget a tripod and stick to help with outdoor projects. It is currently listed for $600 in there tool catalog.
 

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