Rotary Laser levels

[spitter]

The problem starts when you want to take it outside. Of the 2 cst is a better laser look at the protection around the spinning head .That's the most important difference between the to .Been a union carpenter layout man 4 37 years and have used every thing from $ 10,000 spectra physics to $200 quadricas .Lasers are a very fragile instrument.Look for the head protection even a small bumb knocks them out of wack.When you buy one take a long bungy with dog collar relases on the ends and hook it on as a safety. Keep safety in box at all times.:thumbsup: Outside work needs a strong receiver or you never read the light.Week recievers might pickup beam but it wont lock in exact point .Might be able to have it beep saying its on and you can move receiver up and down 1 ".:thumbdown: In that case shoot the laser not spinning but on auto level hold reflective metal our white flat piece of something to help you pick up beam.:dance1:Not a day goes buy that I hear [hey spit I can't see the beam].Alot of the work you menchend can be done with a good point laser .Pls 4 and 5 are the sh-- .:cool2:Green beam is 30% more visable to the eye.But it's gona cost you .

 

[topbuilder]

I did a lot of research on this last year, the main thing I wanted was to shoot grade on my property. what I found out was not many rotating laser levels will do that.
I even went thru the trouble of calling several manufactures. Most of the higher end ones will work, but it was hard to justify the money for the little I needed it.

Bosch does not make a rotary laser level that will not shoot grade (which was a disappointment).

I took my time and found a used high end unit on Ebay that came from an estate sale for 250 bucks and couldn't be happier.

Good luck, do a lot of research, there are so many units out there.

By grade, you mean slope?

 

[orezok]

I have an Spectra Precision 800 that I have had for years. It's supposed to be accurate to 1/16" in 100'. I check it about once a year and it has never needed recalibration. It's also supposed to be good for 1,300', but I have never used it for more than about 100' or so. It's self leveling. but you can turn the self level off for slope. I don't know how many degrees off level it will go to as I have only used that function a time or 2.

Last year the drive belt which drives the rotate laser broke. It's old enough that no parts are available. I put a rubber band on it as a "belt" and it still works good. I suppose that rubber band will only last a couple of months, but it's only 4 screws to remove the guard and replace.

 

[katoomed00]

The NWi Northwest Instrument NRL802, it is auto leveling and will relevel itself if bumped up to I believe a 5 degree, good for 1000ft diameter, horizontal and vertical leveling, comes with a remote control and a receiver in a nice water proof Pelican style case. It is very accurate and so far has done every thing I wanted. Looking at laser levels can become overwhelming, especially when you're not sure of what you really want. Just be patient, there were many times I though that I found the right one only to realize it was missing something I wanted it to do. The cheap ones on Ebay and Amazon may be all you need, make sure you read the reviews too.

 

[katoomed00]

Yes Topbuilder, you can turn the auto level off and place your receiver where you need to be and just toggle a button on the laser to angle it down to meet the receiver

 

[Code54]

Do you all know of one that makes a simple receiver that goes on the tractor/mini ex etc that will work with the level that is anywhere near a reasonable price?

 

[prichard]

Thinking about this one CST/berger RL25HVCK Horizontal/Vertical, Interior/Exterior Rotary Laser Complete Kit CST/berger RL25HVCK Horizontal/Vertical, Interior/Exterior Rotary Laser Complete Kit - - Amazon.com

Do any rotary levels or receivers have a distance measure feature? Seems it may be possible?

 

[spitter]

Your getting into a totally different league of laser. Much stronger beam much stronger receiver .If you are looking to do grade work machine mounted google spectra gl710 .That's what we use .You can never get a home cheapo laser to do that kind of work.Way to week.:drink:

 

[katoomed00]

I have looked into the same question you posted and you might get away with a standard receiver, but compared to the ones that are designed to do what you are talking about (magnetic and heavy duty) I don't think they would hold up to the abuse and also you would need to figure out a way to mount them.

Do you all know of one that makes a simple receiver that goes on the tractor/mini ex etc that will work with the level that is anywhere near a reasonable price?

 

[prichard]

There were a couple previous threads on here where users put receivers on backhoe mast and box blades. I cant find at the moment so I'm not sure what class of equipment they had.