The recent issue of FHB put me to thinking that I should give my brother a laser level for Christmas. He’s buiding a house on his own (well actually all the family are chipping in on some projects and he’s moving an old house onto a new foundation…)
Seems like a laser level would be a welcome and loving gift. Guess it should be a dot laser?Wondering what you all think about different manufacturers? Attributes? I can’t spend in the high-end – I’m actually liking the $100 price tags but don’t know if the cheaper are a mistake.
Any advice is welcome.
Thanks
Replies
Laser levels under $100 are good for hanging pictures, I guess, but I wouldn't count on them being particularly accurate. As for cheapies, I got a Black & Decker 360° self-leveling laser/tripod about a year ago and I use it a lot. It's not bright enough for outdoor use during the day, but is pretty accurate, settles down quickly and is easy to use. Too flimsy for commercial duty though. I think I paid around $150 for it.
Mike Hennessy
Pittsburgh, PA
Get the PLS 2E.
Far more than $100 - Worth every penny.
Terry
"Get the PLS 2E."Just ordered mine from Amazon 2 days ago. I got the kit with the sensor detector thingy. Four and a half bills, but I figured after two different laser levels both under $100, it was time to get a real one. It was Dieselpig who convinced me to get it. I have two kitchen installs coming up and am looking foreward to using my new tool. It really doesn't pay to buy cheapies with some tools.
As a DIYer, I really love my David White M4PL level. Bought it on eBay in the price range your talking.
-sniff-sniff-
I'm so proud of you.View Image
Alright alright...don't get me (sniff) started. I.... I...I can't talk (choke...sniff) right now...
Once the new tool buzz wears off we can talk about the PLS5x........I'm on the fence about it and just asked Tim Uhler to give me a shove in the appropriate direction.
Seriously though.... you're gonna love that little bugger.View Image
I just bought a PLS2E w/detector today at the tool supply for $376. Starting a job Mon. morning, beadboard in a finished basement on the bottom half of the walls. Also have a drop ceiling job coming up. Can't wait to put it into service. I've heard a lot of good things about it here, form you and many others. Thanks once again for the good advice.
I've got a PC Robotoolz 3 beam laser level which is great for most basic stuff. I frequently use it outdoors while building decks. I think I paid $69 for it but you can get it on amazon for cheaper and then get the tripod for it for about $50 because without a good tripod most of the non self-levelers are worthless. Don't be tempted to get a rotational laser for that price as they are junk for anything but hanging pictures in a dark room.
I second the motion to get a pls2. I think I figured you could get one from amazon for 175 after a 50 dollar off tool promotion.
I needed to set a level line for a 30 foot long wall so I went to home depot to see if they had a water level kit (they didn't) and started looking at their laser levels. I ended up buying stanleys knock off of the pls2 for around 95 dollars. I don't know how to check the accuracy but it is very easy to use, self leveling, projects two perpindicular lines rather than points and it comes with a mini tripod/magnet base.
No doubt I would rather have the pls2 but the stanley is fine unless it breaks right away or is grossly inaccurate. I should add it is hard to see in bright light but with some motivation and resourcefulness I always manage to see it somehow. Usually using a piece of paper or something to give the laser more contrast.
definitely get one that projects a line and one that is self leveling.
karl
Cst Berger/David White had/has a 5 beam laser that also shoots a level line. Got one on ebay last year for 100$ Best 100$ I've ever spent on a tool! It's the "Mark 4 PL."
Here's a current auction for one.
http://cgi.ebay.com/NIB-David-White-5-Beam-Laser-Level-Mark-4-PL-Self-Level_W0QQitemZ230064962013QQihZ013QQcategoryZ43588QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
The thing has been fantastic in the year I've had it. I use it outside for decks and whatnot--put it somewhere and aim the dot anywhere, make marks or tap a little nail in on the dot to pull your tape from... Inside the line works great for setting cabs or whathaveyou. The plumb dots are great too--make crosshairs on top/bottom plates to plumb walls--use it to plumb doors with center lines on head jamb and threshold...
Also, it's pretty easily calibrated, as I recently found out when I knocked it off a step and wondered if it was still 'in.' Shoot the dot somewhere 'far' away--more than 35'--make a mark, then rotate to check if the other dots and line fall in the same place. If not, then stick a little 1.5mm allen in the calibration holes and twist to adjust the pendulum until it's back true again.
3 AA batteries lasted me 6 mos.
Cheers,
Pat
It points it shoots, it doesn't matter if you have the best on the market or if you made your own by mounting your dollar store lazar pointer on you smalllest level, the line doesn't bend.
Rune
He will develop a laser addiction. My wife first bought me a Robo Laser a long, long time ago. It still works perfectly.
Next was an expensive and great David White professional grade rotating builders laser.
Then a CST/Berger 5 beam and then a PLS2. I love them all and use them all the time for different situations.
The robo laser is good for outdoor work without a detector because you can see the beam in the bright sun. Very basic, but a good place to start if your needs are basic.
For years we used pro grade self leveling optical levels, but I rarely use them anymore....but it still has it's place for certain jobs.
Yesterday we were using the CST/Berger to locate can lights on a 30' high ceiling. A few years ago we would have been fighting with a plumb bob!
I'm looking at the PLS 5X, and have a couple of questions:How does the pendulum target work? Seems like it would be effected by the wind, is it? And, how long does it take to stop pendulating?What's up with the optional detector?http://heavydutystore.com/db/product.php?productid=22211&cat=1414&page=1I've got some funky foundations to lay out to an existing structure, is the PLS 5X what I need?
Oh God said to Abraham, "Kill me a son"
Abe says, "Man, you must be puttin' me on"
God say, "No." Abe say, "What?"
God say, "You can do what you want Abe, but
The next time you see me comin' you better run"
Well Abe says, "Where do you want this killin' done?"
God says, "Out on Highway 61."
Snort,
Wind likely won't affect the pendulum target; the target is pretty well shielded. The optional detector allows you to use the laser over greater distances and especially outside because it reads the dot whether you can see it or not. Check out the PLS 90 - I'm not sure about the cost comparison, but it's a pretty cool tool they just came out with that appears to overcome limitations present w the dot lasers when laying out foundations (With a dot laser you have to find the precise point in space that the dot crosses and then plumb down from that point. The PLS90 casts a pumb line so that work is done for you. )
Hope that helps.
Chris
The 90 doesn't work as a plumb bob, though. I already have a Gizmo III, and a DeWalt plumb laser...thought I could pare down...so much for thinking, eh?...I'm just gonna end up like Gary Katz, and get 'em all<G> Oh God said to Abraham, "Kill me a son"
Abe says, "Man, you must be puttin' me on"
God say, "No." Abe say, "What?"
God say, "You can do what you want Abe, but
The next time you see me comin' you better run"
Well Abe says, "Where do you want this killin' done?"
God says, "Out on Highway 61."
"The 90 doesn't work as a plumb bob, though."
That's a good point. Gary certainly has several, as do a few other contributors I talked to when editing the article. It would be nice if someone figured out how to get every feature into one unit - but I guess then there would be less lasers to market and ultimately less money for manufacturers to make.
Good luck with it and with the foundation.
PLS doesn't have the 90 on their site...and what little info they have on the rest of their lasers sure isn't helping me make an informed decision...have you seen one in action? Do you know how far the lines project vertically? Like up a wall?And, you certainly are right about the line lasers being easier read... Oh God said to Abraham, "Kill me a son"
Abe says, "Man, you must be puttin' me on"
God say, "No." Abe say, "What?"
God say, "You can do what you want Abe, but
The next time you see me comin' you better run"
Well Abe says, "Where do you want this killin' done?"
God says, "Out on Highway 61."
I haven't seen the PLS90E in action but I'll try and find out about the line height. For some reason (it's been a while since i thought about lasers, mind you) I feel like the 90 doesn't actually project lines up. Their press release isn't very clear. It sounds to me like it casts a visible line on the floor and a pulsing (invisible) line up 100ft. that can be captured by a detector. But let me check w/ the manufacturer on that to be sure. It may take me a couple of days (realistically) though.
Thanks Chris, plopping down all that moola on something sight unseen, and unreviewed, makes me just a little nervous...but probably not as much as it should<G> Oh God said to Abraham, "Kill me a son"
Abe says, "Man, you must be puttin' me on"
God say, "No." Abe say, "What?"
God say, "You can do what you want Abe, but
The next time you see me comin' you better run"
Well Abe says, "Where do you want this killin' done?"
God says, "Out on Highway 61."
Sorry, Snort. No definitive answer from my contact at PLS. His response regarding line length up the wall was "it all depends on the unit's proximity to the wall." Yeah, I know - thanks a lot for that bit of insight, right? PLS is marketing that tool as the quintessential layout tool for foundations and the like. They feel like marketing it as a line laser will frustrate users because the line doesn't project up to a ceiling and they don't want to misrepresent its abilities. The bottom line (sorry, no pun in intended) suggests that the 90E is no replacement for the 2E (which it sounds like you were thinking it might?). Anyway - sorry it probably isn't much help. I don' t blame you for wanting to make an informed decision about such a big purchase - but as Gary says in his article, no matter which one(s) you own it'll likely get plenty of use.
Good luck
Chris
Hey Chris, I do appreciate the effort...maybe I can find one to play with...too bad their website is so lacking?!? Oh God said to Abraham, "Kill me a son"
Abe says, "Man, you must be puttin' me on"
God say, "No." Abe say, "What?"
God say, "You can do what you want Abe, but
The next time you see me comin' you better run"
Well Abe says, "Where do you want this killin' done?"
God says, "Out on Highway 61."
They're finalizing their website - said it might go live this week. Might.
Chris, an update: Big Cal hooked me up with Mike at PLS...the 90E is the ticket. It will shoot something like a stepped foundation, even project maybe 50' up a wall. Oh God said to Abraham, "Kill me a son"
Abe says, "Man, you must be puttin' me on"
God say, "No." Abe say, "What?"
God say, "You can do what you want Abe, but
The next time you see me comin' you better run"
Well Abe says, "Where do you want this killin' done?"
God says, "Out on Highway 61."
Here you can see it going up a wall.http://www.yorksurvey.co.uk/products/newprod/pls90.htmAnd click on flyer and you will see a couple of other examples.http://www.g-nestle.de/Neuheiten%20e.htm
.
.
Hey every group has to have one. And I have been elected to be the one. I should make that my tagline.
Thanks everyone for your input. After spending WAY too much time haunting eBay, Amazon and your recommendations I pulled the trigger on the PLS2E. It seemed that those who had them said, "do it" and others would like to have it. $204 on Amazon with a discount. My sister-in-law won't get a separate present - her present is the (hopefully) increased speed at which my brother builds them a house. : ) As usual I'm so grateful for this list. It's like having a huge network of buddies to ask for help.
Ah, good. I'm yet another very happy PLS-2e user. Lines are a bunch more versatile and useful than dots. You have chosen wisely, and it'll be appreciated.
-- J.S.
It doesn't sound like you got the PLSe with the detector. If you didn't, you are going to be disappointed when you go to use it outside because it is practically useless in the sunlight without a detector.
I see that as more of an indoor tool. It works in the dark, or when the light is low such as later in the day or very early in the morning, but for normal daytime work, it needs the detector.
It would not be my first choice for laying out a house.
Thanks for the warning. SInce he's got the foundation done and the deck - I'm really giving him this for ALL the interior work that will need to be done. Maybe he can get himself a detector if he needs it.
As usual I'm so grateful for this list. It's like having a huge network of buddies to ask for help.
I've said the same thing for many a year. I spent a lifetime in the trades and only learned 1/10 + 33%+ .2 of what I've learned from this board.
blue
If your in the business of doing work like this regularly then buy something over well over $100. If this is a one shot deal then do it!! There's really only three tools to buy for any job in the world at about a max of 150 feet. These tools are the PLS2E, PLS3 and The PLS90E. With these three tools you can rest assured acurate work of Plumb, Level and Square. Plus you have three tools that different works can use on various job layout or install tasks! These are the ticket! All three tools for about $900 total and with a detector for exterior use in full sun! You just can't beat PLS!!
Like I'd said in the past! If you tried most of the rest, step up and try the best PLS!!
Laserman
Welcome to BT lazerman.
Re: the PLS2E, does it simultaneously shoot floor and celing lines to layout and plumb a partition wall?
For years I have used a water level I made using a long garden hose and about three feet of plastic tubing on each end. It works very well when one cannot see around a corner. You just have to be sure that when you use it that when you hold the ends side by side that the columns of water are of equal height. If they are not then there is air in the hose.