Stabila has launched new Dark Shadow levels in the USA, following several months after its European release.
Stabila Dark Shadow levels are advertised as delivering the same design, quality, and accuracy as users expect, and with a new finish.
Basically, it’s a limited line of Stabila levels in a dark color scheme rather than construction yellow.
Advertisement
There are 3 options:
- Type 80 AS-2 24″ & 48″ (29300)
- Type 196 24″ & 48″ (37300)
- Type 196 IP65 TECH LEVEL 16″ (36300)
For a limited time, participating retailers are bundling the 24″ and 48″ level bundles with a free case. The 16″ Tech Level is not eligible for the same promotion.
Here’s a closer look at the new Stabila Dark Shadow levels and sets:
Stabila Dark Shadow Type 80 AS-2 24″ & 48″ (29300)
These are rectangular box-style levels with Stabila vials (locked). Stabila Type 80 AS levels are 2″ tall and 1″ wide with “soft reinforced ribs”.
Price-wise, this Dark Shadow level set looks to be around the same price as the standard yellow version.
Price: $129
Advertisement
Stabila Dark Shadow Type 196 24″ & 48″ (37300)
Stabila’s Type 196 levels are said to have a heavy duty and extra-rigid aluminum box beam design, with reinforcing ribs and milled measuring surfaces.
They also have ergonomic hand holes.
As with the other set, the pricing seems closely competitive to Stabila’s yellow levels.
Price: $199
Stabila Dark Shadow Type 196 IP65 TECH LEVEL 16″ (36300)
This is a 16″ digital level with IP65 dust and water resistance. The display is adjustable, with incline and slope measurements in degrees, percentage, mm/m, and in/ft.
A reader (thanks W00dy!) has previously educated us that the Stabila Tech Level was recently replaced with a newer Type 196 DL level. That version is available in the USA for around $246, or as low as $212 if you shop at Acme with their current coupon offer.
Price: $199
Discussion
With pricing around the same as for standard Stabila levels, is there any reason not to go with the cooler-looking feature?
As for how to choose between them, the Type 80 AS levels look to be a bit slimmer, and the Type 196 more durable and easier to carry and maybe use due to the handles. The 16″ Tech Level is an easy choice if you want a digital readout.
Mark M.
Looks cool but I’d be more likely to lose it compared to a bright color, so pass. These are great, no doubt, but the value buy IMO is a Keson. Uses the Sola vials and the 48” one I bought was money well spent.
fred
I believe that Sola Messwerkzeuge was bought out by Keson LLC.
I think that our longest regular level was a 3-meter screeding from Sola. It was more like a conventional level in profile than something like Milwaukee’s screeding levels,
https://www.toolnation.com/sola-02015001-slg2300-screeding-level-300cm-2-vials.html
In another part of our business, we used mostly Stabila levels including some of their plate levels and extendable ones. The last time I looked at one of their new tool announcements was some time ago – when they were introducing one with what they called “deadblow shields)
https://www.kctool.com/stabila-type-196-2k-masons-level-with-shield-48/
Peter
Yeah, I like bright colors because of the same reason.
Maybe for stage hands etc but I doubt they need that level of precision.
Joe H
I hate dark colored tools because they are harder to spot when you are tired after working all day and it’s getting dark out and you just want to pack up and go home. I’m more likely to glance past them or not notice them or simply lose them if they fall or get knocked over somewhere on the floor or under something. I spray paint most of my dark tools a bright color. I don’t care if my tools look cool, I just want practicality. Most of the tools I’ve lost or left behind somewhere were dark colored.
Wayne R.
Black’s cool until it’s lost, then it’s not.
fred
Black’s is a bit less cool than yellow when exposed to sunlight.
Robert
If I was in the market for a top end expensive level, I would probably go instead with one of the Kapro Optivision IP65 Digital Levels. I’ve read the accuracy and construction is as good as Stabila, but I like their feature set better. The visibility of the vials and the huge digital readout seems very helpful.
And as Mark and Joe have mention, brighter color has advantages, the Kapros are painted white.
https://shopkapro.com/products/kapro-905-digital-condor™-magnetic-digital-level-w-optivision™
fred
Kapro market some different levels – one (made in China) aimed at plumbers:
https://www.amazon.com/Kapro-104-Drainage-Level-40/dp/B07HSLB4FP
We had used the old reliable Sands (Kraft Tool):
https://www.zoro.com/sands-level-tool-co-professional-cast-aluminum-plumbers-24-sl2424p/i/G9109552/?q=G9109552
Bonnie
Black anodized tools like these seem designed to be hung on the wall and looked at rather than actually used. Harder to see, and scratches are even more visible if you do decide to use it.
JoeM
I don’t want to sound like a jerk on this, but if I come off as one, I do apologize. I thought these were already available in the USA, as they’ve been available in Canada since late last year. At least from Atlas Tools they were. Popped up around this time last year as being available. May have been different kits, each kit came in a black Stabilla bag rather than the usual yellow.
Haven’t checked today specifically, but I’m pretty sure you could’ve just shipped them from Atlas since they came out. Doesn’t that mean they were available to the USA as well? I don’t think Atlas has the power to override regional sales limitations as a whole, so… I don’t know where this fits in.
Sorry. Should I have notified Stuart that they were available last year?
Stuart
They launched in EU in March of this year. Stabila reps said they weren’t launching here, but now they did.
I can’t explain what you’re seeing at Atlas, but they’re available in the USA now whereas they weren’t before.
JoeM
…Okay, March of this year might as well have been last year in my head, I’m a bit foggy on time frames. I apologize. I guess Atlas got them when the EU got them? Because they’ve had them since launch. And yes, the digital one has been added to my wishlist for the sheer awesome factor, right along side its normal Yellow version. Whichever I can manage to get, I will.
Kingsley
I was hoping it was some technical improvement rather than just a dark colour, daft!
w00dy
Actually the digital black ones at the old version… So those are technically a step back.
The way the vial are hold in all of these is better than any other brand I have experience with so far.
MM
As with many others I prefer brightly colored tools most of the time as they’re easier to see in a cluttered work area. This is especially true of something like a level, square, or straightedge where I want to make sure it doesn’t get accidentally bumped, dropped, etc. I’m not particularly picky about color but sometimes companies will pick a color scheme that is a real turn-off. When that happens it’s nice to have alternatives. For example, Hakko makes good professional-tier soldering equipment but I just can’t get past the bright yellow-and-blue color scheme they use. I don’t care for Knipex’s red-and-blue comfort grip handles either. I find both of those examples to be very harsh on the eyes. Thankfully Knipex offers multiple handle options. I’m sure there are people out there who don’t care for Stabila’s classic yellow-and-red and would much rather have black instead.
BigTimeTommy
Finally a level that suits my gothic lifestyle.