transit laser level

[beignet]

We are looking at purchasing a laser level. I read the previous posts on the laser levels and I did look at Big Lots (they didn't have any). I am just looking for some information about getting one for the exterior landscape. Measuring landscape grade for the time being. Hopefully down the line, we can use it for other things as well. There have been a couple listed on craigslist in Denver. A Dewalt DW071, a David White LT6-900, to really cheap ones for 20.00. Keep in mind, we may not have as much as experience as some of the other people on the forums. Just want your input on a good one between 100-400. Any help would be appreciated.

[Shark]

From my experience, don't buy a used laser.

I bought a used hilti visible beam laser, would have been nice, but it didn't work properly. Luckily got my $$ back, hilti wanted $700 to repair it, twice what I paid used!....

[rocklock]

I bought a laser level at Home Depot for 30 bucks...
I looks like a 2 foot level with a cheap tripod...
I used it with a story board to get the lay of my land for my walk out basement... so to the nearest half foot was OK...
Then I used it to excavate my house pad... with a story board.... to the nearest inch was OK...
The we used it to level the footers in the pad... to the nearest 1/4 inch was ok... My son showed me how to use the alarm. Mine beeps when it is level... so it can be operated by one person... The accuracy was better than 1/4 inch over 30 feet...
We kept using it for various and sundry purposes... OBTW, I got a water level to double check the laser level... both agree..
Bottom line, I use a 30 buck level for lots of stuff... It's relatively quick, but requires patience... I have learned to use it and I am very confident it it's accuracy...
Obviously, you should use more than one instrument to check your level regardless of its cost...
Another method that I have used previously it a long straight 2 by 4 with a level taped it it... Get it level and the sight along the board to check your level... or buy an eight foot level and use that...
Hope this helps.

[Will Dye]

Rock I used that same level last year to put up above ground pools and it did just fine for me. Then one sunny day I had to use the red goggles that came with it and my buddy started calling me Mr Incredible. LOL...I still wanna kick his @$$ cause he is still bringing that crap up to this day. I had to go back to the ol' transit to nip that in the bud. You'll need the DeWalt to get that kind of distance during day light. 50 feet would probably be the max of the Home Depot one in decent sunlight.

[GENE13]

You can get a 32X AUTOMATIC LEVEL AUTO TRANSIT + TRIPOD + 13' ROD and carry case< on EBAY for about $269.00 If you need something for long distances such as landscaping, or short for setting foundations, they have accuracy over 100 ft double-run leveling is ?0.0012 in. I have one and really like it, it"s an AmScope made by the same technicians and on the same production line as optical instruments for Nikon, Topcon, Olympus, Leica and Zeiss. And you don"t have to worry about wearing those funny glass"s to see the line. It would be hard if not almost impossible to find a lazer level as accurate as a transit. Unless you get up there in the VERY BIG BUCK JOBBERS. Then again nothing is more
accurate than a WATER LEVEL, you could make one for almost nothing, but they can be a headache. :-)

[Will Dye]

Hey thanks Gene! I had no clue about them. I will definitely look into them.

[ChainsawGrandpa]

Rock & Will bought the good $20 level. I bought the bad $30 level.
I can use it before dawn, and after sunset. Just can't use mine during
daylight hours. Works fine indoors if I can turn off the lights and pull
the blinds. Was impressed with the Porter Cable unit. Something
like $225.

-Rick