Replies

1. 
   davidmeiland | Feb 04, 2006 04:23am | #1

   I'm in the market also and am thinking the Stabila 05000 would be a good choice... saw a demo at the JLC show and they are quite slick. It would be good to hear from a couple of actual owners about reliability, durability, etc. Also check out the 05100.

   I already own a PLS5x and like it a lot and use it a lot, but it's not a rotary laser.

1. 
   inperfectionist | Feb 06, 2006 05:36pm | #6

   I've been looking at the PLS5x. Your happy w it?? Have you had any moments when you said "This thing is good, but,,,,,,,,,"

1. 
   Faulted1 | Feb 06, 2006 10:29pm | #7

   Stupid Question:

   Why do I want a rotary or non-rotary laser level.

   In other words -- what situations are best for rotary levels and best for non rotary levels?

   Thanks!

1. 
   FastEddie | Feb 06, 2006 11:32pm | #8

   A rotary, you can set in the middle of a room and all walls will be covered.  Or turn it on it's side and it will cover the ceiling, floor, and 2 walls.  A non-rotary will only cover the wall as wide as the fan angle.  Depends on your needs.  For cabinets, the fan angle is usually enough. 

     

   "When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it."  T. Roosevelt

1. 
   dug | Feb 07, 2006 04:26am | #10

   Not to highjack this thread,but do you guys wear the goofy looking glasses that come with these things?

2. 
   davidmeiland | Feb 07, 2006 04:38am | #11

   No, I gave mine to Bono.

2. 
   daveinnh | Feb 07, 2006 06:03am | #12

   Rotary levels are great outside when you're laying out grade stakes for sitework or locating foundation bearing grade elevations, etc.

   Note that some rotary lasers (Spectra is one brand I think) don't transmit a light bright enough to hurt your eyes - but the sensor mounted on the rod can pick it up.  Porter Cable makes one that is visible, but you should wear their glasses to prevent eye damage.

    

1. 
   Lateapex911 | Feb 07, 2006 06:49am | #13

   One thing to look at is the accuracy of the unit. Predictably, the cheaper ones have specs that are twice as bad as some of the pricier ones. Of course, there are exceptions.

   I had no idea the glasses were for protection. The ones I have seen are red, and are to block out other lights, making the red dot or line easier to see.Jake Gulick

   [email protected]

   CarriageHouse Design

   Black Rock, CT

2. 
   JulianTracy | Feb 07, 2006 09:13am | #14

   That's what they are for is for ability to see the line a bit better. I can't think of any use where'd I be prone to look right in the laser beam - kind of obvious, right?JT

3. 
   rasconc | Feb 07, 2006 09:25am | #15

   I believe they are normally described as enhancers.  I have not figured out how looking through a red lens can make a red dot show up better, looks like it would wash it out.  My Robotoolz five way (poor man's pls5) will show up much better outside with the glasses.

   I do know that they have different lenses for different laser frequencies.  I flew a project where they fired multiple lasers at the aircraft for target designation and we had to wear different visors depending on type targeting laser.  We were evaluating detection systems and antenna placement.  Wow that was 28 years ago. Surely declassified now.

   Edited 2/7/2006 8:49 pm ET by rasconc

2. 
   davidmeiland | Feb 07, 2006 05:38pm | #16

   I'm very happy with it. It's very accurate and often I just pop it out of the box, set it on a ladder or a flat surface, shoot a couple of marks on the wall, and then put it away. It's absolutely great as a plumb bob and I do that all the time with it. I have not used the squaring feature, but I guess ya could.

   If you need to measure from specific points you generally need a helper to 'aim' the laser at your tape measure, which can be a hassle, and that's where a rotary laser like the 05000 would be easier. This week and last I've been doing dirt and foundation work and it's not ideal for shooting a bunch of specific points. A grading laser is great for that but you have to use the receiver. A visible beam rotary laser would be best for form setting.

2. 
   jayzog | Feb 04, 2006 05:12am | #2

   I have a Topcon, it was about $800 2 years ago. It has been flawless.

1. 
   multire | Feb 05, 2006 08:00pm | #3

   Never heard of a Topcon, cant beleive it with all the catalogs I receive. Would you give me some info on it. Thanks  Multire

1. 
   jayzog | Feb 06, 2006 12:40am | #4

   http://www.topconpositioning.com/index.html/session_id/32fdce8f174f9c1c31573eaed12ac08d/screen/category/category_id/id430e2c839e2bd3.09273860/category_ids/11

   I have the RH3C. bought it a United Rentals branch.

    

3. 
   Jake | Feb 06, 2006 06:35am | #5

   I use a Spectra Precision Laser LL500 as does a friend of mine. Both work excellent and have been very dependable. I shopped for mine on ebay and was able to purchase a new one with the receiver for $900.00 about a year ago.

4. 
   semar | Feb 07, 2006 02:47am | #9

   I have a nonrotating selflevelling laser level. It gives me 5 points (vertical and horizontal) If I need a level line under ceilings e.g. I use a pole on which I can set up the laser at any heightlevel, then use it to establish points. This way I can do almost all my requirements with one tool. I have a RoboToolz (less money, same features)

   check http://www.robotoolz.com