STABILA 48" / 24" Electronic levels, crazy cheap.

[tarbellb]

Got my Tri-camel alert, these went on sale about a month ago but I forgot to order in time.

Who knows if the seller will ship?

Both the 24" version and 48" version on sale. These are the water/dust proof, and the 48" is magnetic.

24" 36524 - $135 shipped normally $270
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004O0TTTA/?tag=atomicindus08-20

48" 36540- $200 shipped normally $300
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004O0TTU4/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Git]

The 48" (which is a great level) normally sells for $228
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004O0TTTK/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[gamp945]

Am I correct that these levels have to be manually calibrated via the bubble level? If so, isn't the digital readout only as accurate as your calibration? Seems like you would be just as well off with a good bubble level. Maybe I'm missing something?!

 

[Git]

There is a "4 point" calibration where you calibrate it on both horizontal surfaces - but I see they have now abandoned that in favor of what your talking about = just use the bubble. I would agree - it's not what you really would expect

What I do now if I want a quick and dirty calibration is to place it on a table and take a reading. Then I use a little wedge underneath one end until I get it so that it reads 1/2 of the original reading. Once it is set I then rotate the level (so the buttons are facing the other way and make sure it reads the same)

One nice thing about these digital levels is has an audible tone that comes in real handy. For example, it if want to level my table saw, I can be on the floor making the adjustments and as the table gets closer to being level, it will start to beep faster until you get a solid tone, and then you know it is level

 

[gamp945]

Thanks for the explanation. Sounds kinda nice, but probably not justifiable for my use. I think a better tool for getting things perfectly level for me is one of the self-leveling lasers.

 

[bcradio]

Am I correct that these levels have to be manually calibrated via the bubble level? If so, isn't the digital readout only as accurate as your calibration? Seems like you would be just as well off with a good bubble level. Maybe I'm missing something?!

No, the calibration they refer to is just an internal verification to make sure the unit is not way off. You get it close to level on the bubble and then hit the button for it to do its internal verification and you are off and running.

I thought the same thing as well before I purchased one but it is not the case. All-in-all these are great levels.

 

[tarbellb]

The 48" (which is a great level) normally sells for $228
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004O0TTTK/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Technically this was for the Magnetic version, which usually is $300ish.

But yeah, $228 for the non-mag is a good deal.

My order was cancelled, bought the 24" for $135 and they are
"out of stock, cannot ship".

Funny, they ran this exact sale a month ago. Wonder if they pulled the same move?

 

[Git]

No, the calibration they refer to is just an internal verification to make sure the unit is not way off. You get it close to level on the bubble and then hit the button for it to do its internal verification and you are off and running.

I thought the same thing as well before I purchased one but it is not the case. All-in-all these are great levels.

I don't think that is correct - at least my level doesn't work that way. If you use the simple two button press calibration, I believe it is actually zeroing out the level to 0.00

The easiest way to check the calibration is to check the reading on a surface with the buttons facing you and then rotate the level 180° and see what it reads with the buttons facing away from you. The two readings should match

With that being said, I tried the new way of calibrating the level which entails just pressing the calibration button twice. I placed a doubled up piece of masking tape under one end to slightly throw the surface off from being level

Here are pics of my results

Pic1 I just did the quick calibration which zeroes out the reading to 0.00

Pic2 Same exact location but the level has now been rotated 180° so that the buttons are facing away from me. Note the reading is now 0.10

Pic3 Rotated 180 degrees so buttons are facing me again - same 0.00 reading

The surface is actually 0.05 - that is why it reads 0.10 when reversed

Also - another test using a surface that was further out from level, same results. 0.00 buttons facing me, 1.70 facing away - because the surface is actually 0.85

 

[Git]

Technically this was for the Magnetic version, which usually is $300ish.

But yeah, $228 for the non-mag is a good deal.

My order was cancelled, bought the 24" for $135 and they are
"out of stock, cannot ship".

Funny, they ran this exact sale a month ago. Wonder if they pulled the same move?

Your right - I didn't realize the difference in models numbers. I had another digital Stabila before this one which was magnetic (earlier version) and I guess I never realized that my new one isn't - just goes to show you how much I needed a magnetic one

 

[Jazz1]

I had a guy call asking to borrow my digital level. No problem,,then he calls me back and tells me he does not need it as there is a app on his phone for digital level. The level was being used setting pinion angle.

 

[tarbellb]

I called and complained about the company Buckeye Tool Supply who has pulled this scam a few times now.

They offered me a A to Z policy which let me order it from a different Prime shipper and will refund me the difference.

So, got my 24" for $135- stoked. To be delivered today, I will update with leveling process.

 

[zeekh]

I hesitated on this and missed out.

 

[Vinko]

I hesitated on this and missed out.

Story of my life.

 

[PeterT]

I noticed on my iphone, the compass now doubles as a level - after the recent upgrade.