Homeowner grade Laser level

[yeldogt]

Naturally --

Pulled out my trusty Laser level to check to make sure a line of recessed lights were straight -- only getting the horizontal beam .......Great! I tried to reset -- the one laser must have failed

Had it a long time ... my memory is it was a bit over $100 ... could be 15 years ago. It's been great for general inside work ... moulding installs .. lights ... pictures on the wall.

Mine looks like the current $50 Bosch unit -- it's not. It's someones name ... but same basic shape w/ a few AA batteries.

Any recommendations? .... mine did not have the plum bob. That would be nice -- looking at the units ...bet mine was only a 30'

It's one of those things that can sit for a year ... when you need it they are handy.

Why are some green ? mine is red

 

[adrenalinejeeper]

I got this one last year and haven't had any issues. I have even used it just after the sun goes down for driveway grading markers at about 40-50' from the unit. It's not bright in that situation, but it worked. For indoor, it is perfectly bright.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B074XX1DTC/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[adrenalinejeeper]

I will add that I do sometimes wish I had a third laser to put two lines on the ceiling at a right angle. Now I see that the same company has a 3x360 unit for around the same price, oddly enough. I don't know if it is a lower model in terms of brightness or what.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07WHNCWDX/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[csp]

Green is more visible to the human eye than red, especially in daylight.

 

[kbs2244]

You do have fresh batteries ?

 

[Pingel85]

I bought a refurbed Bosch from CPO outlets for one specific project. Both axis and plumb bob. It now gets used on every project I do.

 

[yeldogt]

I bought a refurbed Bosch from CPO outlets for one specific project. Both axis and plumb bob. It now gets used on every project I do.

that's where I was looking .... CPO is my "go to" place

 

[ace10]

My 8 to 10 year old Leica Lino L2 died a few months ago. Wonderful tool, but a bit too fragile. Poorly designed battery cover always gave me problems.

I searched for a suitable replacement, and I couldn't really find one that had similar specs for not crazy money. Settle for a Bosch 3 line unit that was on clearance at Blowes.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Bosch-3-Li...r-Line-Laser-Level-with-Plumb-Points/50273919

Totally unimpressed. But it was only $99.
The lines are just so grainy. And they grow to be way too wide at anything beyond 25-30 feet. I'd gladly trade the plumb feature for cleaner cross lines.
I'm keeping it due to the price, but not one of my better purchases.

 

[56Mark]

About 3 years ago I bought a Bosch cross line laser on clearance at Lowes. It only had 2 lines and was normally $50-60 I think. I used it for tile in a house I built last year and a few other little jobs. It used (2) double A's I think. It was only on it's second or third set of batteries when it died. Brightness and crispness of the red lines was OK, not great. I have a couple of other Bosch tools I have had for years and they have been good. Not impressed with their lasers. I need to get a new one.

 

[yeldogt]

You do have fresh batteries ?

Did try that ....

Also made sure to clear any power from the unit ..batteries out and buttons pushed.


No go .... I'm going to open it up -- I'm sure a bunch of springs will pop out

 

[loganb]

I have a probably 7 year old 2 axis, red laser Dewalt and use it a shocking amount. When it dies it will be quickly replaced and probably by something with more features and $$$'s than I think reasonable at the time assuming I will quickly find usage for the new capabilities

Sent from The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[infinkc]

I got this one last year and haven't had any issues. I have even used it just after the sun goes down for driveway grading markers at about 40-50' from the unit. It's not bright in that situation, but it worked. For indoor, it is perfectly bright.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B074XX1DTC/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I have this same one, works great. My only gripe is that it eats batteries.

 

[kaymccampbell]

I have the ****** HF one. I got it off the quick sale table for $10, about 20 years ago. It's worth about that. No auto level. Only visible in a darkened room. Maybe good for 20'. It served its purpose. Next time I find it, it goes.

 

[4miller1]

Ive had a stanley sp5 for many years now, works good, auto level. The battery door never latched well and a couple years ago the dog got a hold of it. So i thought maybe stanley might sell the part, no luck that level is discontuned no longer made obsolete. Then i thought its just a plastic door maybe i could get the details from stanley and have someone 3d print it. So called stanley was transfered a few times got ahold of the guy, asked that if they had the file for the part maybe they could email it to me. Yep he says we have that file but its protected trade design. I asked isnt that part obsolete, no longer made outdated? Yep but we dont want some one else making it. I said "its a battery door."
Jeff

 

[CraigStu]

HD sells a Klein. Mine died too and I got through that job w/ an HF one but it is kind of dinky as you might expect at maybe $25. Then I found this.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Klein-T...MERCH=REC-_-searchViewed-_-NA-_-311760059-_-N
A nice quality unit.

 

[adrenalinejeeper]

I got this one last year and haven't had any issues. I have even used it just after the sun goes down for driveway grading markers at about 40-50' from the unit. It's not bright in that situation, but it worked. For indoor, it is perfectly bright.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B074XX1DTC/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Here is this laser just being used as a straight line on the ceiling. This vaulted ceiling goes from 9' to about 13' tall. The laser level is sitting on the floor and it was a sunny day in a room with large windows on two sides. The only time it has been grainy for me is long distances(over 25-30') while outdoors just after sun down.

View media item 109457

 

[ottsta]

I’m just curious whether the underside of the ceiling is clad in something?


Sent from my iPhone using Garage Journal

 

[mobetta]

I've gone through a few $40 Bosch specials, a stabila and a david white.

Currently I've got 2 huepars.
they eat batteries, like 4xAAs by lunch time.
REMOVE for storage or they'll be dead.
seem durable/ accurate enough for the price
the helpers get these.

Also I Have a hilti PM-30MG for when I need it all day, runs on their 12v platform.
stout unit

 

[flat350]

I picked up a Johnson 40-0912 on sale a few years ago for $70 with an adjustable tripod and case,works pretty well,no complaints.

 

[adrenalinejeeper]

I’m just curious whether the underside of the ceiling is clad in something?


Sent from my iPhone using Garage Journal

In that photo, the reflective material you see is the foil lined roof sheathing(above the attic). The line was being used on the 2x4 bottom cord of the trusses to line up the recessed lights, and it shows up great on the 2x4's.

 

[ottsta]

Thanks for the reply. Looks good.


Sent from my iPhone using Garage Journal

 

[Mohamod James]

green one is better, and you can buy a 4D one, which can be changed into 4 lines / 8 lines/ 12 lines if you dont need that much.

 

[bassJAM]

I have this Bosch, paid $65 for it 3 years ago. It's been fine for me, works great inside. Outside is a challenge, you either need one of those red cards or do the work at dusk.

BOSCH GLL 2 Self-Correcting Cross Line Laser Level with Mounting Device (AA Batteries Included) - - Amazon.com

BOSCH GLL 2 Self-Correcting Cross Line Laser Level with Mounting Device (AA Batteries Included) - - Amazon.com

www.amazon.com