Lazer levels

[suds]

Seems there's a bunch of these available.  Wondered what your experience has been with these and what would be a good one to get?

 

[erikfsn]

I like this one.
http://www.amazon.com/Pacific-Laser-Systems-PLS3-100-Feet/dp/B00002259X/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1220758793&sr=1-6

A friend has one and we've been using it this week with good results. Easy to use and self-leveling.

Erik

 

[woodtradesman]

What Erik said, I had good results from the PLS3 I used to own. Admittedly I put the poor thing through lots of harsh abuse (short of tossing it around in the air). If you can afford to spend a few more bucks you can also try the models by Hilti which are pretty accurate and a few more notches tougher.

 

[Tinker]

I have no experience with lazers for inside of buildings.  i have watched my son using for outside excavation work.

Especially useful for layout and excavation/grading of septic systems where tollerances can be quite exacting.
When i first went into business as a mason contractor, the first several months, i used a water hose to set my levels until it started getting so cold, the water would freeze up in the hose.  I then bought a transit (dumpy level) and went thru too many to count over the next 30+ years.  What a difference (improvement) from the dumpys to the lazers.  My son does not even have to get off his machine and he knows what his levels are from anywhere on the lot.

I am sure the lazers are just as valuable for any tradesman, inside or out.  Of course, the plumbers only need to be sure a drainage pipe of any kind slopes down hill.  Pressure lines can tip any direction.  Carpenters just need to tack stuff together and the painters will hide their mistooks.  Masons just cover up with stucco  (hey  That's old stuff)  There are so many new devices to make life easier since I got out of the trade.  It's almost mind boggeling.
Tinker

 

[suds]

Yeah, the reason I brought it up was last year we had some work done in our home and the guys were using a lazer level and it made their work so much faster/accurate.  There are so many to choose from and the costs vary so much I figured this would be the best place to find the best one for the price.  My needs are strictly homeowner/hobbiest.

 

[Hotwheels]

I use a PLS 2e that has been replaced by the PLS 180. It is a very useful device for a variety of indoor and outdoor tasks. Yesterday I used it to align the siding on an outbuilding and a few days before to plumb and level a door jamb. My wife uses it to hang pictures. We have used it for layout of our hardwood floor project and for a variety of other home owner tasks. With a detector it is useful outdoors for getting things level for rock wall projects and anything else where you need to plumb and level. PLS is not the only company, but if you check JLC and other sites, there are a number of tradesmen who use them.

Good luck.
JR

 

[w00dbutcheruk]

I'm a shopfitter and for me i have gone through virtually all the lasers on the market. the best for me is the dewalt DW087K, it is brighter and reaches further than anything else i have used except some of the rotary lasers.

rotary lasers are ideal when working to a datum line for example and need that laser shining their all day! but i use the DW087K to almost to replace my spirit level.

the non rotary levels have made my life soooo much easier i can recommend for anyone to have a play and see the results for yourself.

Tom.

 

[Cannuck]

I highly recommend that you get, at the very least, an automatic, self-levelling laser.  If you have to set the level yourself, your accuracy will be much lower, and the setup will always be a PITA. 

They have models that use a prism, or others that have a rotary mechanism.  If you are planning on working with it outdoors at any point, you want to get a rotary laser. 

I have a Robotoolz (now Porter Cable) rotary laser and absolutely love it!  Cost a mint, but totally paid for itself.  I would also recommend Stabila, TopCon, CST/Berger and White Rogers.  You get what you pay for.

 

[jatt]

This is all I use.  Powerline M2.  Recon its fine for a glorified weekender like me.

Unfortunatley it isnt automatic level, but for what I use it for its fine.  I'm not a  pro builder or the like, so if it take me a few minutes to set up, then so be it.

For stuff like sewer/ drainage, shed building its fine.  Like it much better than the old school level that's gathering dust in the cupboard. 

Has a vertical (plum I think its called) laser setting also.  Really like how one can set it as a rotating laser or as a fixed point.

If I used one all the time I would lash out & spend the extra for auto level, not to mention a higher quality unit.