Self Leveling Lasers

builder2

Anyone have any input on a recommended self leveling laser.
I've looked into several Brands & am hung up on which to purchase?
Most of the use will be for light excavation jobs(Footers, etc)
Some of the brands also offer interior usages where some are strictly outdoor use, I would like the option of being able to use it interior if needed to.
Some of theBrands I looked at were
Berger
White
DeWalt All rasnging from $800 to $1100
Any input would be appriciated..

ProWallGuy

I'm only a paperhanger, so our uses for a laser will differ. I know many hangers who use CST/Berger and swear by them. Mainly they use the Gizmo line.
I personally use the PLS2 by Pacific Laser Systems. I won't hang without it anymore.

Do a search here for lasers, there have been other threads about them.

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Wallpaper Hanger St. Louis
Digital Murals Installation

Tom R

I've got a self leveling robo-laser, - - works fine, I only use it for interior, - - cost me only about $200 a couple years ago, - - although I think they've since been bought out by Porter Cable.

Maybe I'm mistaken, - - but I thought it would have worked the other way around, - - any exterior laser could also work for interior, - - but many of the interior ones aren't bright enough to be seen outside in the brightness.

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Teetorbilt

I have a few of them, want'em? I have found them to be useless in my applications. IMHO they may be good for block masons or anyone else that works +/- 1/4".

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plazaman

http://www.us.hilti.com/holus/module...jsp?OID=-11730

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Westchester Remodeling Contractor
Hartsdale Remodeling Contractor
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Multi-Tasker

I've got a self leveling robo-laser.The laser is good to 1/4 inch in 100 feet.
also dual beams(vertical & level ) with detector and remote. Paid $450.00
I don`t use it real often but it is great for ceilings and outdoor work also.

Tom is correct that they now come with the grey Porter Cable color
and name (same tool though )

Joe

hatchet

I purchased custom packages from Hixon Mfg in Fort Collins, CO (when I worked for HP). Accurate to 1/16" in 300' (if I remember correctly) and cost around $1000 for the carrying case, laser level, battery pack, charger, and receiver.
Don't buy the Dewalt - we purchased one recently and it was worse than 1/4" in 100'. IMO that's not even accurate enough for block masons. We sent it back several times as they attempted to fix it - they finally took it back and hopefully scrapped it.

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Rich
WIT Construction Co.
Superior MT Contractor

Tom R

Hey, Rich, - - long time no talk, - - hope you're doing well.

For a level that's accurate to 1/16" in 300', - - I happen to have a $1000 laying around.

But I went to their site and it looks like I'm only finding one that's 1/16" in 100' (still not bad).

The one I'm looking at is the (Hixon Part #) L21285, - - is this the one you're talking about??

http://www.hixonmfg.com/

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katttfishh

Laser Alignment, Beacon, Topcon or Spectre Precision are the big guys. Interior laser means it has a visible beam and an exterior laser has an invisible beam that needs an electronic target to pick it up. You can also use a target on the interior lasers if needed in bright sun. Topcon makes a laser with a green beam that is bright enough for close work in the sun. Kinda pricey though. It was a little over 6000.00 last time I checked a couple years ago.

hatchet

Tom..
doing pretty well. With the cold weather we've been having I've been able to do a little posting.
Not the ones we bought - we had all aluminum / steel cases with battery packs. Not sure if they were actually rated at 300' - that's just what we had tested them at on the CCOB project. The site was 400' long - so we tested that distance.. ended up backing to about 300' and it was within 1/16". I'll see if I can call a friend that still works for HP and see what model it was.

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Rich
WIT Construction Co.
Superior MT Contractor

hatchet

Come to think of it - I think it was an Ammann model. The AS115 looks very close to what it was.

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Rich
WIT Construction Co.
Superior MT Contractor

nadonailer

I keep trying these electronic laser gismos and keep going back to the old ways - anyone else? I don't trust 'em anymore...

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Tom R

The best way to find level is with water, - - but the customers keep gettin' pissed off when I flood their kitchens to get my line!!

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Tom R

Thanks, Rich, I'll check it out.

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groy773

For my uses...decks, kitchen cabinets, and the like, I find this unit works quite well. I like the remote control unit so I can lay things out myself when I'm working alone. For the price I find it a good value.

Downeast

Bldr2 I have the PLS2 as well and the one I have comes with an out side reciever.I just got ths laser last summer for an interior job and it worked well in different applications.I have not use it out side yet.

PALEX

I have a Hilti pr-16, and i have not one complaint. It is within 1/16 at 100', and shoots a 500 ft radius, is dual beam. With case, detector, tripod, grade beam, and wall mount bracket, reciever, i think i paid 1350 a couple years ago, i send it in to be calibrated every year(its free for the first year). I have always been impressed with Hilti quality, and I fully expect to use this thing for a helluva long time.
Pete