ToughBuilt has launched a new 500-foot self-leveling indoor/outdoor rotary laser with green beam and 360° coverage.
I spoke to ToughBuilt – a ToolGuyd sponsor – about what sets their laser apart from others. Before we get into that, let’s go over the basics.
To start off, it has a green laser, which is standard for longer-range devices. The green beam is highly visible in bright conditions – such as outdoors – and is built to be detectable at up to 500 ft.
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The included bracket-free rolling laser receiver can be quickly attached to the included 8-foot aluminum grade rod.
The rotary head is protected from accidental impact, and the entire level has IP54-rated weatherproofing.
A quickSet mount allows for quick attachment or removal with the included tripod, and the level also has dual threaded mounts for versatile mounting options.
It comes with a convenient carrying case, which holds the rotary laser level, receiver, 8-foot grade rod, and QuickSet tripod.
ToughBuilt has stayed true to their name, and says that the laser level can deliver the durability required to meet the toughest jobsite conditions.
ToughBuilt is especially proud of the guide rod and laser receiver, which they describe as the most innovative feature baked into the laser package.
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They describe the ease-of-use and user-friendly features:
Until now, guide rods typically feature a telescoping assembly made with ridges between each segment. Other receivers would then be slowly attached and dispatched from the rod with a bracket that requires unscrewing, repositioning, and re-tightening every time you want to adjust it up or down the rod.
Ours, as you will find, has a color-coded uniform quick-snap assembly and a single uniform width up and down the tool.
Our receiver is also free-sliding with a push button release and a micro-fine adjustment knob roller for even more precise adjustments up and down the rod.
This system will save time and is incredibly efficient compared to the old way of constructing and adjusting your receiver, which when grading, leveling and surveying, is the portion of the tool you will adjust the most.
This makes a lot of sense to me, and I can see how it can be a strong benefit.
Key Specs
- Leveling accuracy: ±3/8″ at 100′
- ±3.5° self-leveling range
- Advertised detection range: 500′
- Max detection range: 786′ with detector
- Laser runtime: 11hrs with 4x AA batteries
- Receiver runtime: ~45 hrs with 3x AA batteries
- Dovetail tail slide mount with lock (QuickSet)
- 1/4-20 and 5/8-11 threaded mounts
Price: $449
fred
±3/8″ at 100′ accuracy seems a bit low to me. A Bosch GRL 800-20 HVK rotating red laser – just used for comparison – has accuracy variously quoted as 1/8 inch or 3/16inch at 100 feet – but costs about $210 (47%) more
The $449 price seems very good – putting this in the homeowner range. I can recall some of the big prices we paid for early rotating lasers that we bought – coming from Topcon – and then Johnson Level – and $449 for a kit would have wowed us.
The snap together grade rod and sliding receiver does seem like a decent idea.
Stuart
That Bosch has a published accuracy of 3/16” per 100’, but it’s also a red laser.
fred
I prefer green lasers – especially in when ambient lighting conditions challenge observation – (that’s why I said the Bosch was red). I also generally have found green lasers better outdoors – but that may just be me. The Green Johnson (40-6546) that I use outdoors has a quoted accuracy ±1/16 inch at 100 feet – but only a ±5degree self leveling range. It cost me something like 3X what this Toughbuilt costs – and i would not recommend it (as it has needed service several times despite only modest use). The last time I had it serviced – I was told that Johnson (Hultafors) was discontinuing it.
My personal – and older business – experience with some precision surveying and leveling tools has been that they require TLC and even with that – they may become fluky. My observations are based on handfuls of instruments – not thousands – so they are probably not be statistically significant. But I suspect that it may have some impact on what a manufacture is willing to offer in terms of warranty. Even a $10k Nikon total station may only come with a 2-year warranty
Matthew
Is this laser a part of their lifetime warranty program or not? Could also be a deal breaker to some.
Stuart
I believe it’s a 3-year warranty, but asked for confirmation and will update when I hear back.
John+E
In bright sunlight outdoors even the green lasers give you 10-30 feet visibility max. You can improve that with a detector, or use a sheet of aluminum foil or black moisture barrier or such. I’ve had luck well over 50 feet that way.
John
Outdoor lasers like this are typically used with a receiver, so visibility isn’t important.
Mateo
It’d be really nice if someone would make a more water resistant rated receiver. It’s not much help to have the laser itself hood up to conditions that the other half of the system can’t.
My Bosch went down pouring a footing in light rain and the receiver was around $200 on its own.
Julian Tracy
Can you set it on it’s side and use it for a 360 plumb line laser? My Bosch has that feature and it’s pretty much the only reason I keep it around as I primarily use my line laser for everything.
The ability to set on the side for a 360 plumb line is super handy for laying out basement walls in basement finishing. I can set it at my desired distance from the most proud portion of the wall and make sharpie marks on the floor and 1st floor joists and simple build my walls and raise up to those marks.
The accuracy rating seems quite loose.
Stuart
I haven’t seen that as a feature.
Harrison
This product is a bad value at any price. 3/8” accuracy at 100’ for a rotary laser? What? Who is supposed to use this?
For another $50 you can get a Bosch rotary laser kit with a stand, receiver and everything that’s accurate to 1/8” at 100’. You can get a complete kit that’s accurate to 1/6” at 100’ for less than $900. Hell, if you really want to save money, buy an optical transit.
Green vs red? Doesn’t matter- It’s a rotary laser, you use it outdoors with a receiver, you’re not supposed to look for it with your eyes.
If you do want it to be visible, you can get a top of the line, 3 plane 360° green laser (Hilti PM 30-MG, Bosch GLL3, Dewalt DW089LG, plus every other name brand) for the same money.
A 3 plane laser would be the same accuracy as this thing over long distances outdoors, and much more useful and user friendly indoors for setting 360° plumb lines, levels, etc.
A home owner looking to do basic leveling and plumbing around the house would probably be best off with a basic green cross-line laser for less than $200. Or just go rent a rotary for the day if you have a massive landscaping project.
Mike
I have been using this tool for grading. It’s easy to set up and use, and appears to be far more accurate than the spec states.
Next job is laying out footers and slab for a workshop. I have confidence that it will be right on the mark.