Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum banner

Sola v. Stabila

18K views 30 replies 17 participants last post by  The Coastal Craftsman  
#1 ·
I love my stabilas but these Sola levels are sweet. I am trying to convince myself I don't need a new collection of levels.






 
#10 ·
It's a dam whiskey stick...:thumbup:

You pick it up & check for plumb or level.....

The little bubble is or isn't between the lines....

if not, likely YOUR fault....

Stabila's are pretty much bullet proof....

So WHY does everyone grab the new guy instead of the Stabila?....

Does it have some sort of auto s#ck function?....:no::laughing:
 
#11 ·
Funny story. Two friends of mine left stabilas at my house saying they were no good. One a 32" and one a 48". I sent them in to stabila and got two new ones in return. One guy went out and bought new sola levels anyway so I'm up a 4'er. The other guy i haven't seen yet. I haven't used a sola, but the bubbles are very nice to read. The end caps don't really come off and don't have little anti scratch feet.
 
#25 ·
I'm buying a magnetic jamber set and am torn between the two brands. I really like my stabila 196 series, but am not too fond of my sola 36. It feels like a toy in comparison, doesn't grip the wall, and can't scribe over the bubble.

My sola is the cheaper version, I believe. Does anyone have experience with the big red series? Are they more robust than the regular sola's?

It will be used for doors, cabinets, carpentry, etc.
 
#26 ·
I bought the Big X Sola. 4' and 2'. I thought the larger bubble and the glowing part would help me see the bubble. It didn't.

I think, next time, I will buy the ones with the LED light. Night sights on pistols work great. why can't they make a level that really glows? At first I thought it wouldn't glow because I keep them behind the seat and they never get sunlight, but if they get sunlight they usually fade. I think they just don't glow as much as I want them to.
 
#27 ·
I bought the Big X Sola. 4' and 2'. I thought the larger bubble and the glowing part would help me see the bubble. It didn't.

I think, next time, I will buy the ones with the LED light. Night sights on pistols work great. why can't they make a level that really glows? At first I thought it wouldn't glow because I keep them behind the seat and they never get sunlight, but if they get sunlight they usually fade. I think they just don't glow as much as I want them to.
What brand level offers a led light?
 
#29 ·
It is a price bump. I just thought it would help me see in lower light situations, ie: interior work. Usually lighting isn't as good during construction.

I do like the Solas. They just weren't as great as I was hoping.

The main reason I got them instead of the Stabila LED is because I don't like stuff with batteries. The batteries die and then don't get replaced. I always forget that size battery until I go to use that tool again.
 
#30 ·
Yeah... I've got more than a few testers and such that seem to have dead batteries right when they're needed :p

As for the lighted Stabila's, I'll probably be picking up a 24" and a 32" with lights soon. We're currently fitting a set of kitchen lowers and I'll be damned if I can see the bubbles clearly. And I even hooked up the under cabinet lights beforehand in hopes it would help :sly: