Laser levels (cross line, rotating etc) GREEN, help me chose one

Discussion in 'Tool Talk' started by AlvyChippy, Oct 27, 2018.

  1. AlvyChippy

    AlvyChippy Active Member

    Hello gents,
    Apologies for a really long winded riddle ;)

    I have TopCon green (big, original Japanese old boy) for big set ups... that is too big for smaller jobs (IE suspended ceiling jobbie)
    Have another old GeoSystems FL200 red one and last night heart sunk, when it stopped recalibrating in self levelling mode, but started to go off level in locked position... meaning sending it off to Germany, recalibration and postage costs, that is ignoring possibility repairs, as I suspect to have not locked one day, hence in transportation had its brains shaken- oops!

    meanwhile world moved on on to green lasers and are absolutely identical to produce as red ones, but rip-off's due to better functionality IE
    https://www.ffx.co.uk/tools/product/Leica-Lino-L2G-7640110694909-Green-Beam-Cross-Line-Laser
    £341 vs identical
    https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B004PZF3U8 in red £108...

    Also, well known brand Firecore
    https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07G57RHVX/ at £199 vs
    https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07G5MY43X/ at £130 in red
    whilst it seem as that is what I want, I doubt own-self due to size, power consumption, possibility of thing going wrong , being complicated machine.even it has decent warranty... don't I need a simple cross line one?

    Doing research and trying to make my own mind up how to go about it
    (admittedly, still a tad "label slave" and want warranties with quality), but trying to be open minded about same items being unbranded for a fraction of a cost, so the list and initial opinions on the subject:
    https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01LP4H21E/
    V. tempting, but at a £216, makes me consider repairing old one...

    https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B073RGMSY8/ at £161 seem to tick all the boxes, well branded, green, accurate enough for the range requirements...
    or take a plunge for unbranded (in red) at £68
    www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01NAU4YL6/
    or great brand, great manufacturing quality, but £150 https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01N9KEUN3/

    still consider something like £190 FireCore one
    https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07JD5P7XY/
    or unbranded copy for £72
    https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07C9774BD/

    all-right then, I consider if I really need 360 for vertical (definitely not for horizontal) and started checking bargain brands... Tacklife comes with 2 year warranty, Huepar with mere 30 days
    https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07214BPJR/ at £100 certainly bargain
    virtually identical (most likely made in the same factory as TackLife LC03
    https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B071XCNGJ6/ that does come with 2 year warranty, but in this model it's red one...

    Lastly on consideration list
    FireCore https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B077PSQL6F/ at £70 ans seem to be really what is needed
    or at the same price, but no warranty https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0793HFP9T/... but known to be most upcoming "brand", hence expected good quality
    or cheapest at £57, known brand, green, 2 year warranty https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07BDFBBN4/

    could somebody get my head straightened on this conundrum?
     
  2. KIAB

    KIAB Super Member

    Happen to be looking at green laser levels yesterday,shocked to see the green laser Bosch GCL 2-50 CG now made in China.:(
    And the Makita SK105GDZ & Makita SK106GDZ green laser level looked pretty good,compatiable with their CXT range batteries,certianly easier to see the green beam.

    But, I'm happy enough with my Bosch GLL 3X red 3 line laser level,can't justify the expense of a green laser.
     
    Last edited: Oct 27, 2018
    AlvyChippy likes this.
  3. sospan

    sospan Screwfix Select

    I have been looking for a while ant like you get swamped by the choice and eventually can't choose so give up. When I looked at one of the Forecore ones this was in the technical spec
    upload_2018-10-27_19-36-17.png
     
    AlvyChippy likes this.
  4. AlvyChippy

    AlvyChippy Active Member

    everything (or almost everything) is made in China these days... :(
    brand "politics" apart would make sense to get unbranded (or less known) brand at a bargain cost, as from older days red ones were indicating quality in beam range, these days green ones almost all are good enough for what is needed. Times changed, just like mobile phones only recently has been acceptable to spend near £1k for one, but there are almost as good alternatives for a 10-15% of the price...
     
  5. AlvyChippy

    AlvyChippy Active Member

    TBH got head-ache, I have, after a day of researching and still unsure which way to turn :confused:
     
  6. KIAB

    KIAB Super Member

    You get that a lot with tool searching.
     
  7. AlvyChippy

    AlvyChippy Active Member

    :D hence asking for your opinion ;)
     
  8. Jord86

    Jord86 Screwfix Select


    I personally think lasers are a gimmick the majority of the time whilst hypocritically owning a Hilti Pen(amazing) and Dewalts cross laser model, had it for a few years now gifted to me by a relative, I'm struggling to think of more than a dozen instances where I've relied on that rather than other methods. Having said that, it's around 150 quid, solid and robust and really comes into its own in loft conversions and suspended ceilings, it all depends on what work you do and how much you'd use it to warrant how much to spend on one.
     
    AlvyChippy likes this.
  9. AlvyChippy

    AlvyChippy Active Member

    my TopCon almost £2k ~20 years ago, have been used no more than on 20 jobs, but battery died already, the only alternative is to use x6 "D" ones and is big... hence used even less, than perhaps, I should.
    My GeoSystem one lot smaller, used load more and costed under £1k ~10 years ago, but have to admit there were periods of a year or more has never been touched.

    Leads to the question of what work I have done in the past and (do I know, what will I do in the future)... I used to do subbying initially, rarely needed, then concentrated on private customers, then moved in to "management" as working foreman or working site manager and usage of lasers varied enormously from one object to the other. Needless to say, I'm past being a fan of working in joinery shops too.
    Why?- subbying is annoying due to "management" most of the times

    Managing (and working tools) own-self, I found annoying and stressful to be chasing after everyone, responsibilities, mind games etc...

    Private works I found to be a tad tedious dealing with clientelle "personalities" and having need to be maintaining responsibilities with other trades etc...

    Lately gone back to site work, but chosen wrong one, due to the fond memories of working on high quality/spec few jobs, but not all are like it...

    which way will I turn in the future? clearly don't know, but know for sure, I use laser levels and clearly the smaller they are- I'll use them more, hence "flip" in to the green ones on the market makes sense to get that DeWalt one or even Bosch, but not Mahkyyyta for sure... or for that cost repair my "medium sized" GeoSystem... or to try even cheaper option of small FireCore one... or even TackLife one...
    Budget?- well I didn't mind spending serious bob for them in the past (the very best on the market on the day), but for what it's intend to be this time round and knowing how good smaller ones are lets say I'd limit myself £200, but not turning my nose for a £57 laser, if it will be good enough... and TBH writing this memoir cleared my head in getting particular. Try it and if good enough great, if not £60 isn't that great of a loss
     
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  10. gpierce

    gpierce Active Member

    Spent a while about a year ago looking at lasers. Similar to you, saw the green, wanted the green, and the more I looked the harder the decision get as I tied my heads in knots.

    Went to SF one lunch to pick up a £2 plumbing part and they had the DeWalt red cross line self levelling ones on the counter, advertised at about £130 IIRC. I was doing a kitchen fit at the time, had wall cabs to hang and SF are pretty good on returns so decided to save the reading time and just buy the damn thing.

    Works well, I've used it on kitchens, flooring jobs, in factories and small rooms. Yes it's a red one, but it's bright. It's easy to see on a wall 10m away, and if I can see it, I don't care if it's red or green.

    Only thing I hate is the mount supplied. It has a clip on it for attaching to things, and the jaws on the clip open 3mm max, it's so useless it's practically a joke. In the end I drilled a small hole through the rulers from my combi squares (bahco ones, nice thick steel) and just pop a screw in the nearest wall through the ruler, and the magnets on the level hold it to that. It also has the advantage of then giving me a measurement on the wall when sliding the level up or down the ruler. Even on solid plaster walls I just bang a screw straight in without a hole or plugs - it holds it securely enough and for long enough. If I can't do that I just speedclamp the ruler to a step ladder.

    It's small, light, bright and level. Maybe some others are technically better, but I don't even care anymore I've read enough about lasers.

    If I were you I'd just get something bought from somewhere that has a decent returns policy, or you'll never make a choice!
     
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  11. AlvyChippy

    AlvyChippy Active Member

    Good tip (square ruler), I'll see, how good or bad one Taklife one is, but fitting is standard 1/4" for most small lasers, photo equipment etc, like
    https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B075XC9JHY/


    BTW Taklife is amazons own brand or subsidiary or other way round and are know for half decent copies, as IE tester, that was made by some Japanese firm, ended up being purchased/rebranded and sold under their name for 1/2 the price of original... big range, most comes with 2 year warranty, don't believe, I'll be disappointed.
    https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/...life&keywords=tacklife&ie=UTF8&qid=1540741587

    Come Wednesday, I'll post back if £56 "investment" is any good
     
  12. sospan

    sospan Screwfix Select

    Got an offer on Imex lasers today - last day at the Sandown Park ToolFair

    upload_2018-11-2_9-7-24.png
     
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  13. KIAB

    KIAB Super Member

    Do like the LX22G laser, very tempting, & that LX3DG with USB charging, now that is a good idea.
     
  14. sospan

    sospan Screwfix Select

    Must admit they do look good. LX22 with a tripod and 55m range and can support a remote receiver for £169 is a really good offer
     
  15. AlvyChippy

    AlvyChippy Active Member

    I suspect, the brand or make is only trademark, but actual lasers to be the same production as Huepar or indeed Tacklife (or many other brands on ebay etc)... the one, that I have.
    green is truly great improvement over the red ones for the range light or dark, love my little one, if I would have been sure, the new cheap ones being as proper as they are, perhaps should have gone for a 3 line and rechargeable battery one, but bought it kind of for testing purpose, didn't expect to actually like it (£60 vs ~£1k).
    For the tradename and warranty sakes, perhaps next one will be Imex one.
     
  16. DIM Tips

    DIM Tips New Member

    I am guessing it took rechargeable batteries. Have you tried this simple trick to overcharge the batteries to remove dendrite using rvd process. Here is a simple video on how to remove.

     
    AlvyChippy likes this.
  17. Gringo28

    Gringo28 Active Member

    They are for people who don't have a job for them.
    For those that do, probably the best tool ever invented imo.
     
    gpierce and KIAB like this.
  18. Wayners

    Wayners Screwfix Select

    I have a 10m cheap at £30. Lazer lines are to wide and not long spread on surface. Dose me for wallpaper ect but just thought I'd mention.
     
  19. WillyEckerslike

    WillyEckerslike Screwfix Select

    I have a rotary laser (and receiver) which is invaluable for checking levels on external works and determining falls over distance - hyper accurate.
     
    KIAB likes this.
  20. AlvyChippy

    AlvyChippy Active Member

    All I got to say on a subject-
    from a mega expensive rotary lasers to a £59 TackLife one, that "eats" batteries is almost no difference in functionality, i'll have to "invest" another £tenner for rechargeable set, as I literally use it ten times fold more often now, than "proper" one ever would.
     

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