Advice on laser levels?

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epicxt

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I'm getting ready to pull the trigger on a laser level. My uses will be both exterior and interior and trying to get one that will do it all (shooting grade for smallish foundations, siding, interior tile work, etc.)

Have pretty much settled on the Spectra hv101 gc-2 package. Anyone have any strong likes/dislikes or words of wisdom before I drop my coin?
 
For interior I'd say the PLS 4 from Pacific Laser Systems.  It has horizontal and vertical lines as well as point to point plumb.  It can be purchased close to $400 with a laser detector for outdoor and bright conditions.  Will it work for you vs the rotary?  Look at it here 
 
I checked that one out, but I'm looking for something with a little more accuracy out to 100' or so. I was checking out a different model from pls but the my local supplier just started carrying the spectra brand, which partially influences my decision.
The hv101 also does horizontal and vertical beams along with points.

Edit: hmmm...after looking closer, that might be enough for me. Back to the drawing board...
 
I was looking for a "do all" and I decided that one for inside and one for outside was a better option. In the end I uncharacteristically went with a cheap Chinese laser multibeam unit for inside because I just couldn't make up my mind (but needed something in the short term).

It actually works "ok" outside over short distances too.

The high end sophisticated units from reputable manufacturers are quite expensive and I'm not certain that a lot of the innards aren't made in China anyway.

Good luck with your hunt and please let us know what you end up with.
 
i dont have any specific experience with that unit but i do believe that most good quality self leveling rotary levels will do you well.. i think rotary is key, i bought my laser before i really had the bucks to get a great one and settled in a self leveling CTS that shoots vertical and/or horizontal beams at a 130 degree spread and having to move it several times to get around a room can get annoying..  the vertical line is nice but i dont use it nearly as much as the horizantal..

also the tripod is great outside but can be a little limiting/bulky indoors especially in small rooms like bathrooms    i picked up a fastcap 3rd hand pole and their magnetic laser mount    i dont know how i ever did without it..

another laser i wouldnt want to do without is a laser plumb bob..  they can be had for relatively cheap and are great time savers (if you have the need for one)

John
 
I have the Hilti PR35 and wouldn't be without it. Setting grade, foundations, floors, driveways, inclines, it does it all.

Mike
 
I have the PLS HVR505G. I went with the green laser for better visibility when used with high ambient light. It's a great package, and works really well both inside and outside.

http://www.plslaser.com/rotary-lasers/pls-hvr-505-g

For outside use, you really need something that can be used with a detector. Even the green laser can be hard to see at 100 feet on a bright day (without a target). I know there are a few cross-line lasers that have a pulse mode allowing them to be used with detectors.
 
Stabila has a relatively new laser level that they market for residential construction and concrete work, the ResCon Laser System.

For $749.99, you get the rotating laser, receiver w/ clamp, tripod, elevation rod, target plate, and batteries in a hard shell case.

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Tom
 
I guess the first point I would make is that if a PLS laser does not show good enough accuracy in the specs, it is most likely because they are conservative in their ratings compared to other manufacturers. PLS products are frequently the best in class.

Most of the manufacturers make both high end and low end laser levels. There are some companies like PLS, Hilti, Stabila that don't make any low end products and you know anything they sell will be at least good - kind of like Festool. Stabila makes some good stuff but some of their line lasers are way out of date in some details like lines that are too wide, etc. I would guess any new product from them is likely to be excellent.

There are still many different functions of lasers and no one tool will do everything. You have to define your use and then see what fits your needs. Rotary Lasers are more complicated and need servicing since they have rotating parts. They are still the way to go over long distances since the power is concentrated into a dot that rotates.

We have some old Spectras that have seen a decade of hard use in the field.

I have some older Robotoolz, which became Porter Cable Lasers and is now Bosch Lasers. They work well and some Bosch models are standouts like the GLL2-50, GLL2-80, and GLL3-80. Bear in mind Bosch makes some low end stuff too so be sure the model fits your needs. The GLL2-50 is a standout since the horizontal laser is at the bottom of the pendulum meaning that the line is only 1.375" above the bottom. This has some big advantages for some uses.

I have a PLS-90 which is a single purpose 90 degree laser with detector. It has a flashing mode without being a rotary so it works with a detector over long distances without the maintenance of a rotary. Everything I've ever seen from PLS is first class and their website accurately describes the use of each laser without much advertising BS. PLS makes some really useful lasers for serious professionals that are incredibly productive for certain jobs. Examples are the PLS90 I bought, the PLS360 and HVL100.

There are some combinations of line laser with points up and down that are useful for multiple jobs.
 
Thank you all for the excellent feedback! I'm still not totally decided yet but am leaning more towards the pls180 with a sensor for exterior work.

I didn't initially realize it but the Spectra hv101 doesn't do horizontal and vertical lines simultaneously. (Duh, it's a rotating laser!) I should have realized that earlier but in order to do the vertical line the unit has to be rotated 90°.
 
to do the vertical line the unit has to be rotated 90°
Click to expand...

Just so it's perfectly clear, the same is true of the Stabila I mentioned a couple of posts up.

Tom
 
I have the Hilti Pr 26, and it's just a great laser. It does everything I have ever asked of it, and I'm a big fan of the green laser.

That being said, my mate has a Stabila LAR 250, and it's a great set up, and I think it is a good value compared to Hilti etc etc,  because you get some really nice features. If I needed a new one, I would really look hard at this model.

Dave
 
I'm also looking for a laser & laserjamb type pole. Just for strictly for cabinet installs,trim work,and doors. Looking at the bosch gl models with laserjamb. If anybody has input or recommendations that would be appreciated. Want to spend less than $600
 
we depend on a PLS at work, really accurate, and easy to use. I have heard great things about hilti and stabila too.
 
+1 for Hilti plus you can lock the pendulum when you have it in transit so it doesn't go out of calibration.Had a pls briefly put it was out after a week so took it back!
 
I bought the Fastcap laserjamb and LJ3Pro laser a couple years back.

The laserJamb itself is an absolute must if your thinking of using the laser anywhere inside. I can set it up between the floor and ceiling without marking
any surface and it gives me infinite adjustment. I like the laser too. I like the extra bright laser line it produces for when its a little bright outside.The pair wasnt too cheap, But then i didn't want to spend almost a $1000 on a laser that i wasn't going to use full time.

http://www.fastcap.com/estore/pc/LJ3Pro-LaserJamb-3p18.htm
 
Not to hijack this thread but I've also been shopping for a laser... I really like the PLS HVL100.  Does anyone have comments about this?  I know it's a bit expensive but it looks like it will cover about everything.  I really want plumb, level and 90 degree lines.  I couldn't find another laser that seemed to do all of those quite so well...

 
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