How to choose a laser level
What is the right type of level for the job?
Are you working indoors, outdoors, or both?
If you're a professional tradesperson, you'll be looking for a laser level that meets the specific needs of your trade. High levels of accuracy and labor-saving features will be top of your list of priorities. If you're working outdoors, laying foundations, constructing walls or laying pipes you'll need a rotary laser with a detector. For those who combine indoor and outdoor work, a rotary laser could do both jobs. Kapro's range includes an electronic self-leveling model, as well as a full-featured and easy to use manual model. Both models boast high accuracy and a long range.
If you're working exclusively indoors, a multiple line laser is the best choice - the degree of complexity will depend on the nature of your trade. Kapro's range offers a choice of three self-leveling lasers in this category.
For drywall contractors and carpenters, the unique 893 T-Laser™ marks exact 90° lines and clips on all standard boards.
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For the DIY enthusiast, Kapro offers a broad selection, from a highly accurate toolbox-sized cross laser which levels itself, to single line and dot generators with an emphasis on value and basic leveling accuracy.
Outdoor work: Choosing the right rotary laser
Rotary lasers are invaluable for a broad range of outdoor leveling jobs: Marking footers for foundations, setting the grade for the top of the foundation walls before pouring, setting the height of retaining walls, and laying water and sewage lines.
Once you've decided to invest in a rotary laser level, the next question is whether to choose a manual or self-leveling model. A self-leveling rotary laser is going to involve a bigger initial outlay than its manually-leveled counterpart, but in many circumstances, the investment will be worth it, especially if you're working on larger commercial jobsites. This guide will help you decide which model is best suited to your needs.
Will the laser be disturbed by people, heavy equipment or live traffic?
If you're on a worksite with constant disturbances, you're probably better off with a self-leveling rotary laser, like Kapro's 899 Prolaser® Electronic Rota-Line. The remote control and detector mean that it can be operated effectively by just one person, which also reduces the possibility of bumping the tripod. If it does go slightly out of level, it will recalibrate itself. If it's more than ±5° off level, it will let you know by shutting off the beam and flashing.
Kapro's 898 Prolaser® Rota-Line is a manually calibrated rotary laser level with a detector. If jobsite disturbance is less of an issue, then this is an excellent choice.
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899 Prolaser® Electronic Rota-Line |
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What level of accuracy do you need for outdoor construction?
Kapro's 899 is accurate to startling 0.1mm/m (⅛" at 100') - easily the most precise laser level on the market. If you're working on commercial jobsites, this added element of accuracy over distance could be critical.
Kapro's 898 boasts an impressive accuracy 0.2mm/m (0.0002"/"), and is ideally suited to home construction sites.
What is the typical maximum distance you'll be working at outdoors?
Laser level range is an issue in outdoor work. Laser level range is usually expressed in terms of the diameter of the laser beam - but it's the radius that will tell you how far the beam will go in each direction. Kapro's rotary lasers have an outdoor range of up to 500' (150') - that means up to 250' (75m) in each direction, with the detector.
Distance is also a consideration when choosing between a self-leveling and manually leveled laser. On large, commercial jobsites, you will not want to be constantly walking back to the laser unit to readjust or recheck its calibration. On smaller sites, this won't be much of an issue.
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898 Prolaser® Rota-Line |
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Will you be shooting all day off one laser set-up?
If you're shooting all day off one set-up, then the battery life of the main laser unit will be an issue. A manual rotary laser, like Kapro's 898, uses less battery power. A rechargeable battery unit with good batteries will also do the job. Kapro's 899 offers 20 hours of continuous use, and includes an on board battery that can be recharged while you're working.
Are you laying pipe?
Be sure to choose either a manual rotary laser that allows you to set slopes easily, or a self-leveling laser that incorporates a manual gradient-setting option. Kapro's 898 offers easy manual leveling for any gradient. With Kapro's 899, you can set slopes of up to ±5° on both the x and y axis - simultaneously if you choose - which is more than the required gradient for laying pipe.
Indoor work
Framing rooms
If you're framing rooms, especially where there's a wide open interior as your starting point, you'll need a laser level to establish level and plumb lines from which you can take measurements to establish other walls, sills, and doors. With an adjustable tripod and floor to ceiling poles and wall mounts, you'll be able to do all the layouts you need without having to extend points with traditional tools. Shooting a laser line periodically during the course of the project will also ensure that all the framing is built level, and allow you to discover any problems early on.
Line lasers are the ideal choice for the job of framing rooms. Kapro's 890 Prolaser® All-Lines, for instance, generates 3 vertical beams at 0°, 90° and 180°, a horizontal cross beam, and Plumb Up/Plumb Down - all simultaneously, and it rotates so you can easily transfer the lines. Self-leveling, and accurate to 0.2mm/m (0.0002"/"), this versatile laser level can handle any imaginable indoor leveling job.
The next best choice is the 888 Prolaser® Vector, which features 2 vertical and one horizontal cross beam, and is accurate to 0.3mm/m (0.0003"/"). This is a good choice if you generally work on more limited applications, where you don't need to continue layout measurements to the ceiling, or work on more than two walls at once.
A Rotary Laser level can also do the job, if it incorporates the right features. Kapro's 898 and 899 models can both be set up for horizontal or vertical alignment jobs, and include Plumb Up and Plumb Down points.
890 Prolaser® All-Lines |
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Acoustic ceilings
For installing acoustic ceilings, you'll need to establish a level line for the ledger, track, and tie wire. Laser levels are great tools for this because they will shoot accurate level lines without leaving marks on painted walls, a perfect replacement for the traditional chalk line. Kapro's 890 Prolaser® All-Lines will give you a continuous horizontal line on three walls, with 90° vertical lines that cross the ceiling. Kapro's rotary lasers have the advantage of shooting a continuous level line around the room. The 888 Prolaser® Vector and 892 Prolaser® Plus will also do the job.
Plumbing
A line laser with a cross beam and plumb feature is the tool of choice for plumbers. It will not only allow you to mark pipe layouts, but also overhead fixture locations, like showerheads: do all your layout on the floor, and then use the laser level to transcribe the marks up to the ceiling. Your work will take less time, be more accurate, and you won't need to take measurements from walls or ceiling when you're up on a ladder. Kapro's 890 Prolaser® All-Lines is perfect for the job. For setting drainage slopes, Kapro's rotary lasers which incorporate manual slope-setting features, are ideal.
Electrical
A simple line laser mounted on a tripod is usually all you'll need for marking consistent outlet and switch height. The 892 Prolaser® Plus or 888 Prolaser® Vector are both good choices. If you're already in possession of a rotary laser, that will do the job as well. If you want your laser level for marking overhead fixture placement, too, then the 890 Prolaser® All-Lines is your level of choice.
888 Prolaser® Vector |
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Tile installation & masonry
Tilers and masons can benefit from the instant grid of a laser level for laying out floors, or bathroom and kitchen wall tiles. Kapro's 892, 888 and 890 are all perfect for the job. If this is your only application, choose the tough, compact and extremely precise 892 Prolaser® Plus: it's excellent value for money, and small enough to fit in a toolbox or clip on your belt.
892 Prolaser® Plus |
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Carpentry
Indoor finish: A laser level is a great accessory for marking chair-rail heights and cabinet and shelf locations: measuring off the floor or ceiling for level will often be inaccurate. You'll benefit most from a cross level for these applications, with its accurate 90° angles. The 892 Prolaser® Plus, 888 Prolaser® Vector or 890 Prolaser® All-Lines are all excellent choices.
If you build decks, too, then you can't go wrong with any one of these levels, although the 890 All-Lines has the advantage of providing multiple lines - all the way to the roof - and all at the same time.
Drywall
Kapro has developed a laser level that slides onto the edge of drywall sheets to mark the 90° line you'll need for (freeform) cutting. The 893 T-Laser™ is an affordable tool that clips on your belt or fits in a toolbox, and eliminates the need for repeat measurements or marks on the drywall. It's great for plywood and construction board as well.
893 T-Laser™ |
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DIY home improvements
If you're doing home improvements, the high-end laser tools on the market might not be worth the expense. Kapro has a great range of affordable and exceptionally user-friendly laser levels.
The 892 Prolaser® Plus, for instance, is an affordable professional cross laser with self-leveling capabilities and extreme accuracy. The 779Z Prolaser® Spirit™ is a contractor-grade box level which also projects a laser dot up to 50' (15m). The 831 Prolaser® Palm offers basic leveling accuracy in a lightweight magnetic level, with a dot and flip-down line generator which rotates 360° and locks at 0° and 90° for vertical and horizontal beams - a great all-purpose tool.
For home decoration - hanging shelves, cabinets, pictures and mirrors, or aligning wallpaper, tiles or trim - the Prolaser® Set-a-Shelf is a fantastic tool, and the 810 Prolaser® Nail Gripper is great for less complicated jobs. Both shoot a single laser line when held against a flat surface.
779Z Prolaser® Spirit™ |
831 Prolaser® Palm |
814 Prolaser®
Set-a-Shelf™ |
810 Prolaser®
Nail Gripper |
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