Laser Leveling Recommendations

[jeffkics]

Looking for recommendations on laser leveling equipment for in the field. IE, putting up pinmount letters, leveling between 2 posts outside.
I see many systems on amazon and just want to make sure it works outside in daylight, on glass, in tight spots, etc... I see systems with tripods, 3-way lasers, etc... do you need these?
Red vs. Green laser?

Thanks for you input!

 

[Billct2]

We have a red one and use a camera tripod we had. My installer loves it

 

[bigben]

Do yourself a favor and buy a powerful 360 degree GREEN laser. If you don't want to pay the big buck for a dewalt or another big brand name, go with one like this: https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B075V3BFC2/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 I use it for the last 2 years and really like it. One thing, it use 4AA battery and it last only a full day. But for the price difference, I'll buy the battery. Work great outside too, but I mainly use it inside. Also, the magnets are not as strong as the dewalt. I always use a 6 foot tripod.

 

[Jester1167]

Definitely go green, you will be able to see it from a further distance. Warning, green lasers eat batteries like crazy. I loved my bosch but I bought so many AA batteries that I decided to get a Dewalt 12v crossline with a plumb dots. In hindsight, I should have bought the Dewalt in the first place.

I have worked with one of Dewalt's 360-degree green laser and didn't like it. It's the one that has a thimble size reflector balanced on a pin. We were working on the 6th floor of an office building and anytime someone walked within 20 feet of it, the line would start bouncing...

Here is an Amazon link for the one I picked up. https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B011HX4GPI/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

It is helpful to have an extra battery. The batteries are expensive but you have a couple of choices; buy a twelve-volt tool for $99 and get 2 batteries or I found a deal on Amazon for two 3Ah batteries https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B07WRDX8CM/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

At some point, you will need a tripod, but most of the time I use the attached magnetic bracket and use the nearest door frame. It is a good idea to put painters tape on the frame so you don't scratch it when adjusting the laser up and down.

 

[studio 440]

spend the extra money to get a self leveling one if you have to adjust level with bubbles takes time

 

[GB2]

I have a Pacific Laser Systems PLS180, which I've had for many years now and it has been great. Mine is red but it comes green also. It is perfectly visible for any interior application at any time of day but not very visible outside in sunlight. It does come with a detector though, which picks up the laser beam when you can't see it and you can easily determine your level points with that. The kit also has a couple of nice brackets for attaching the laser to anything with a clamp or a magnet.

https://www.plslaser.com/line-lasers/pls-180-red-laser-level/

 

[Moze]

Just confirming that green is by far a better choice. Red can be harder to see on glass and is definitely harder, sometimes impossible to see outside.

I use THIS one. The horizontal and vertical 360° lines come in handy when aligning to overhead lights, centering on walls, fixtures, ceiling tiles, etc. The batteries last an extremely long time.

It is sensitive to movement, but I've owned around a half dozen different ones and this is by far the best I've used.