Rotating self leveling laser level good one for the money

[texasfiremedic]

I have been looking at reviews but all seem to be swayed to one or the other. I think by the one that contributed the most equipment free. What I'm looking for is a long distance 1000' plus with detector. Not looking for the cheepest version unless it was made by major under a different name.

What I'm doing is building a road across a creek using two 5 foot diameter culverts. I am damming a small feeder creek and re diverting it to the main creek. Both are generally dry but have been know to flood out. The road/ dam length is about 300' plus feet. I am also putting in a a pond in a small ravine. The one I have now I can't use because I don't trust it anymore. I need something a little better than I had before.

 

[larry_g]

Show us the reviews of what you have been looking at so we know what you are looking for. There are a few different tools out there that could fit your description. What are you using that you don't trust? Do you know how to check to make sure it is working or not?

lg
no neat sig line

 

[texasfiremedic]

Yes, I can check it. I just have to set it up and do it off a couple known bench marks. But I would have to set it up in town and hope those are correct. (large long buildings). Or use an water level.

Examples:
Hilti PR 2-HS
Topcon RL-H4C
Pacific Laser Systems PLS HLE 1000
Spectra Precision, unsure of what model
Johnson, same here
Bosch, Same here

After that I don't know.

 

[smiffy]

All ground workers I know use leicia lasers there supposedly the nuts
Brilliant bit of kit when we borrowed one for concrete work and can have the receiver mounted on an excavator arm with a read out in cab for basic levelling

 

[Mpmckenzie]

+1 for the Topcon RL-H4C - fantastic precision tool.
PLS I'd be wary of as I once had a laser square from them which was not square! Just my experience.
1000' is a fair distance - you pay for accuracy over a long distance.
If you can work with an assistant, an automatic dumpy level (at least 25x) is just as accurate and a lot cheaper!
Good luck

 

[larry_g]

Yes, I can check it. I just have to set it up and do it off a couple known bench marks. But I would have to set it up in town and hope those are correct. (large long buildings). .

A building is nice, but not necessary. In a relatively flat area set your level 1/2 way between two fixed points trees, buildings, whatever. With the reader put a zero reference mark on each fixed point. Now move the laser close to one reference point and set it up so the closer reference again reads zero at the reference mark. Now move your reader to the other reference point and check for error, or distance off the reference point you are.

I used to travel with a Topcon optical and became perty good at checking and calibrating the instrument.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[texasfiremedic]

A building is nice, but not necessary. In a relatively flat area set your level 1/2 way between two fixed points trees, buildings, whatever. With the reader put a zero reference mark on each fixed point. Now move the laser close to one reference point and set it up so the closer reference again reads zero at the reference mark. Now move your reader to the other reference point and check for error, or distance off the reference point you are.

I used to travel with a Topcon optical and became perty good at checking and calibrating the instrument.

lg
no neat sig line

That is a good idea Your basically setting your own benchmarks and then referencing against each other.

 

[texasfiremedic]

+1 for the Topcon RL-H4C - fantastic precision tool.
PLS I'd be wary of as I once had a laser square from them which was not square! Just my experience.
1000' is a fair distance - you pay for accuracy over a long distance.
If you can work with an assistant, an automatic dumpy level (at least 25x) is just as accurate and a lot cheaper!
Good luck

Thanks for the Topcon vote. I have my eye on two units on fee bay. Check new pricing on both. If the need it needs calibration the price of. One Topcon and one PLS. I'm leaning for the PLS but I will see when it was manufactured. The topcon is a very close runner up. Between the two i still will be money ahead with a calibration. I was also wanting to see if anybody else had an opinion and something to back it.

 

[p_mori7]

+1 for Leica.

Program the slope degrees you need for the road / pond, put a magnetic mount reciever on the dipper of your excavator and go to town !

Take the time to explain to the Leica dealer exactly what it is you are intending to do, and what your future uses could be. He will be able to make a good recommendation. They have many models with increasing capabilities as the price goes up.

 

[Tmct]

I have a topcon RL-H4C that I got probably 4 months ago, used almost daily and so far so good. Auto leveling is a very nice feature to have, just set it and forget it. Easy to use and reliable so far.

I also have a spectra ll500 that is about 15 years old and still works fine, simpler with the manual leveling, but can get irratating when the ground is shaken by machine and it comes out of level and shuts off.

Recievers seem to last approximately 5-6 years for us before they get unreliable from getting wet to many times and being dropped.
Also have a machine mounted receiver that is very handy when working by yourself.

 

[n20junkie]

My rotary laser just died.


Best deal is the CST LL20. For $250 on Amazon it comes with a case, laser detector and its a 360 unit, self leveling that has a cone mirror instead of a motor and turret. Seems way more heavy duty than my old spinning unit.

 

[Milton Shaw]

1000 foot is a problem for just about any rotary laser. Bright daylight and you are going to have problems with any detector seeing it. A transit with helper is the best bet for what you are trying to do from my experience. At a 1000 foot the rotary is going to be spinning the beam past the receiver at probably 100 mile per hour, lots of luck seeing the beam. A laser level on tripod just putting out a straight beam might be an option not spinning at all but able to be turned and stay level. But even a laser level with just .0001 error out of level would be a foot off at 1000 feel.

 

[texasfiremedic]

Update. Found a good deal on a new PLS HS 1000. It will reach the 1000 foot according to the manufacture. It is good for 3/32 at 100'. I have had experience with PLS and have had no problems although being hand held. I do agree that the Topcon was probably a better laser with the slope feature. But, that was a little out of the price range. I will just have to figure the slope if I have to. Most of the work That I do is clearing and does not need a level of any type except an eyeball. The only reason that I'm buying one now is that I want to get the height of the road right and not have a low area that will cause a wash out.

Thanks for the votes and info. It just came down to the old dollar.