Fastcap AB2 Laser Level or something else?

NYC Tiny Shop

NYC Tiny Shop

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I need a new laser level to install three loft beds. Being a fan of Fastcap, I am considering their AB2 laser level but am hard-pressed to find any reviews. Can anyone, who uses this laser,  feel that they can recommend it?  I read the other threads on lasers.  Perhaps, there's a new laser that I should consider, instead? Thanks, for the advice.
 
Hi,

I bought a laser a little over a year ago and reviewed what was on the market at the time. I decided to go with the Bosch GLL2-80. It has a 360 degree line in both vertical and horizontal plane. It is self leveling and locks the pendulum to protect the mechanism when turned off. It also will work with a receiver for outside work or in bright conditions inside. I was worried that the line might be too wide to do accurate work but in use I find my cabinet installs are more accurate in less time than when I was using bubble levels.

I have no complaints with it at all and would buy it again if it went missing. The receiver is not a necessity for most work but is great if you do work outside. I like the look of the Fastcap laser jamb pole but have found other things to spend my tool budget on.

Bosch makes a GLL3-80 that adds a second vertical line at 90 degrees to the other. This looks like it would useful but came out after I had purchased mine so I didn't consider it at that time.

Gerry 
 
Yes, I can see the value of having a beam that's projected 360 degrees...Especially handy for installing a loft bed!
 
The Bosch GL-3 is great, it has horizontal and vertical and unique to self-leveling lasers; you can lock the horizontal for doing angular work.  I also use the PLS-90 as it throws two vertical lines that are at right angles to each other.  Tool junky that I am, I also have the PLS-360 (great for ceiling work) and the PLS-5 (I use this to set automatic sliding doorways).
 
NYC Tiny Shop said:
I noticed a new brand laser, at least new to me, on Amazon that I haven't heard of. This one looks pretty good and the price is better.

http://www.amazon.com/CST-berger-CL10-Leveling-360-Degree/dp/B005GT0J10/ref=sr_1_1?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1396040920&sr=1-1&keywords=Laser+level+360+degrees
Click to expand...

CST/berger has been in the business for a while. If I'm not mistaken, Bosch bought them a couple (few) years ago and is largely using CST technology. At least that's kind of how it looks to me.

I'm partial to Stabila...

Tom
 
Not to hijack...but I've been installing cabinets for years without one.  Does a laser really speed up the process?

Jon
 
I have a cheapo black and decker I use for cabinets and it is handy and saves some time over just using levels.
 
I picked up the fastcap laser jamb set with the AB2 laser level at a pawn shop for $200 and the laser isn't near as nice as my stabila, it's not real bright and it's cheaply made.
That said the laser jamb is sweet.
 
I'm pretty sure Bosch bought CST Berger just as they bought RoboToolz years ago. I think the only remaining Bosch originated laser was the big dual rotary that they discontinued a year or two ago.

The CST Berger mentioned looks to have the same conical mirror as the Bosch GLLx-80. I have the GLL2-80 and it works well. The GLL3-80 adds a useful third line. Those units ALL have the big advantage of having the horizontal laser at the very top of the unit. This is a big advantage for some uses.

I also have the GLL2-50 and it works well. Mine is old enough that it says RoboToolz on it. That unit has the big advantage of having the lowest horizontal laser of any unit. This is a big advantage for some uses.

Lots of reasons to have different units to use the strong points of each.
 
Can't speak to the current Cst/Berger  products, but their products have been used by probably more surveyors and other professionals who required transits, etc for decades.

Peter
 
Jon Hilgenberg said:
Not to hijack...but I've been installing cabinets for years without one.  Does a laser really speed up the process?

Jon
Click to expand...

Once you get used to the change in process it is a lot faster. The one thing that I find is the real value though is that all the cabinets in the room can be level within 1/32" to each other even if the room is 20' long.

Take the plunge Jon you won't regret it.

Gerry
 
I'm going to plug for PLS !

Here's the thing - most lasers will, at some point, fall out of calibration.  If your non-rotary laser goes out of calibration, in most cases it's bricked.
PLS (an American company, btw) will re calibrate even if you are out of warranty.  They will also allow you to upgrade if that's the case, selling you another unit at much lower cost.
I had an old PLS 180 that lost its way, and was able to upgrade to the HVL 100 (which beats the pants off of the Bosch gl3, which I've tried) for 60% of the best price I could find online.

As far as the laser jamb goes, you could get the mounting unit and use virtually any laser level with the 1/4" mount.
 
I have a pls 180 and a pls 360.  The 180 is my go to when I need a level or plumb line and as far a cabinet installation goes,
using a bubble level is (almost) a thing of the past. 
 
The PLS HVL 100 and the Bosch GLL3-80 are very different tools. The HVL 100 weighs 13 pounds the Bosch GLL3-80 weighs 1.7 pounds.
The PLS HVL 100 is $799.02 the Bosch GLL3-80 is $447.54 both prices from Amazon. It is hard to compare these. I guess it depends on your priorities. For me the Bosch is the ticket.

YMMV
Gerry
 
FWIW, CST/berger was purchased by Bosch in 2008.

The PLS4 with the plumb points and the Fastcap magnetic mount, to go with my third hands, could be very helpful for installing loft beds. Costs $339, $19.95 for the mount.

The Bosch GLL3-80 looks good, too.
 
Jon Hilgenberg said:
Not to hijack...but I've been installing cabinets for years without one.  Does a laser really speed up the process?

Jon
Click to expand...
I also installed many cabinets without a laser for many many years.
I got a Hilti in 2006 and love working with it.
Some installer will use the laser 100% of the time to level their cabinets.Some will use the laser to find high/low spot in the room and just hang with regular levels
It really help with big jobs.
Small jobs I can do without it.
Will it speed up your installs?  don't know but it sure does make it easier.
 
The LAX200 is phased out, thought there are still a few left around.

The current offering, which is similar and new, is the LAX300.

Tom
 
Unless you need the ruggedness or the pulse mode for use outside with a detector, this gains nothing over the Bosch GLL2-50 or your original CST for half the price.

I'm also a big fan of PLS and have two of their special purpose lasers. I agree with Oldwood that the PLS HVL100 is not comparable with the others. I would love to have one for certain uses. The servo action is a big advantage in some places BUT 13 pounds and $800 puts it in a different class.

Edited to add: Tom Bellmare was typing his reply while I was typing mine. I have bought numerous items from Tom. Just call him up and explain your needs. Buy whatever he suggests. Problem solved.
 
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