Deere Mack Posted August 28, 2012 Share Posted August 28, 2012 Hello everyone, it's been a while. I hope all is well. I'm in the market for a new Self-Leveling Rotary Laser and I was hoping someone could give me some tips on brands etc. I'm in excavation so I'll be using it out doors for shooting grades mainly. As always your help is appreciated! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Posted August 28, 2012 Share Posted August 28, 2012 Go to who ever is in your area that calibrates equipment and see what they recommend. That's who you will need to work with for repairs and calibration for what you buy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deere Mack Posted August 29, 2012 Author Share Posted August 29, 2012 Thanks for the information. I'll call a local surveyor I know and see what I can get out of him. Didn't realizer there were so many options. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
randyp Posted August 29, 2012 Share Posted August 29, 2012 My favorite self leveler is Bosch. I use it pretty regular on house pads and such, and its never had a down moment. Its good on batteries too. You can get a package deal (stick, tripod, and all) for bout around 7 or 8 hundred. randyp Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deere Mack Posted August 29, 2012 Author Share Posted August 29, 2012 My favorite self leveler is Bosch. I use it pretty regular on house pads and such, and its never had a down moment. Its good on batteries too. You can get a package deal (stick, tripod, and all) for bout around 7 or 8 hundred. randypThanks randyp, I've read good veviews on Bosch. Do you have to have your calibrated often? I'm not planning on playing football with it or anything... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
randyp Posted August 29, 2012 Share Posted August 29, 2012 No, it should never need calibrating. A laser is gonna squirt out in a straight line regardless of anything. If anything, be more careful with the detector, its what gets dropped or throwed around the most since its mounted on the stick.. The Bosch will come in a hard case with a place for everything, and its a well built case also. I have broken a coupla detectors, but they dont cost all that much to replace. randyp Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Posted August 29, 2012 Share Posted August 29, 2012 They need to be calibrated to insure the line is on a plane and not dished up or down. Also that the plane is level. I don't use mind very much now but I had it checked when it was about six years old. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajt3138 Posted August 29, 2012 Share Posted August 29, 2012 we have several detectors and that gives you a chance to compare once in awhile to insure that they all read the same. we will commonly have one laseer set and maybe two crews using the beam. a good test in the field is to set laser and take readings, turn off laser, spin 180 degrees, turn on and recheck heights to see if they match. aj Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreenGiant2 Posted August 29, 2012 Share Posted August 29, 2012 spectra physics is a good one . i have a dual slope and work great for to different slopes Quote We the unwilling, Lead by the unqualified, are doing the impossible, for the ungrateful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajt3138 Posted August 29, 2012 Share Posted August 29, 2012 we have good luck wtih spectra physics. we picked them because there is a servicing dealer where we can obtain service when needed. thats what will be important down the road. aj Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
randyp Posted August 29, 2012 Share Posted August 29, 2012 There is no way my nuclear laser line is bent or warped. It is bout as level headed as me. randyp Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thomastractorsvc Posted August 29, 2012 Share Posted August 29, 2012 I researched the one I wanted and bought it new on ebay and saved a bunch of $$$$ I bought a Johnson Control http://www.johnsonlevel.com/productDetail.asp?cat=Rotary+Laser+Levels&ID=17&pID=65 called and registered it for warranty and I have never took it anywhere to get calibrated and I think it said somewhere it didnt need it. my 2 $ent$ BTW I bought it for grading but have also used it inside. Quote Robert"I reject your reality and substitute my own." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Posted August 29, 2012 Share Posted August 29, 2012 we have several detectors and that gives you a chance to compare once in awhile to insure that they all read the same. we will commonly have one laseer set and maybe two crews using the beam. a good test in the field is to set laser and take readings, turn off laser, spin 180 degrees, turn on and recheck heights to see if they match. ajWe just look for a large pond with still water and check to see if the water is level. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deere Mack Posted August 29, 2012 Author Share Posted August 29, 2012 Ok, here's what I come up with, I've narrowed it down to two.http://www.amazon.com/CST-RL25HCK-Horizontal-Exterior-Self-Leveling/dp/B008OQHMIK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1346271892&sr=8-1&keywords=CST%2Fberger+RL25HCKhttp://www.expresstools.com/SPECTRA-LL300-2-laser-level-package-case-rod-clamp-rod-and-aluminum-tripod.aspxTell me what you think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deere Mack Posted August 29, 2012 Author Share Posted August 29, 2012 We just look for a large pond with still water and check to see if the water is level.This reminds me of when I first started operating, the guy I worked with used a jug of water and long clear hose to level with. It worked to say the least... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
burnstransport Posted August 29, 2012 Share Posted August 29, 2012 This reminds me of when I first started operating, the guy I worked with used a jug of water and long clear hose to level with. It worked to say the least...That setup never needs batteries or calibrating . . . . and you can toss it around as rough as you like Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thomastractorsvc Posted August 29, 2012 Share Posted August 29, 2012 Check this one out and you send it back if it dont work http://www.ebay.com/itm/CST-Berger-57-LM1000X-Self-Levelling-Interior-Rotary-Laser-Level-Kit-w-LD-400-/320970363407?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4abb53120fOr this one brand new http://www.ebay.com/itm/CST-BERGER-WIZARD-DUAL-BEAM-ROTARY-LASER-LEVEL-LM30-TRIPOD-ROD-GLASSES-DETECTOR-/190719591793?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2c67c60571 Quote Robert"I reject your reality and substitute my own." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deere Mack Posted August 30, 2012 Author Share Posted August 30, 2012 Thanks for all the feed back! Went with the Spectra Precision LL300-2 Laser Level Package. And here's where I found the best price. http://expresstools.com/SPECTRA-LL300-2-laser-level-package-case-rod-clamp-rod-and-aluminum-tripod.aspx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajt3138 Posted August 30, 2012 Share Posted August 30, 2012 We just look for a large pond with still water and check to see if the water is level.how many ponds have you had to 'fix'? aj Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Posted August 30, 2012 Share Posted August 30, 2012 how many ponds have you had to 'fix'? ajThat's Randy's job. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
randyp Posted August 31, 2012 Share Posted August 31, 2012 ITs a difficult job, ifn waters not sitting level, you have to drain pond and get motor grader on bottom and smooth it up nice and level. Ifn the bottoms not flat, water wont sit flat. i dont know how yall has ever made it on here without my scientific advice and thesis. Dr, randyp Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slpwlker Posted September 21, 2012 Share Posted September 21, 2012 taking the operating out of operating with all this laser level stuff. Back when I was still operating it was all eyeball Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
randyp Posted September 21, 2012 Share Posted September 21, 2012 taking the operating out of operating with all this laser level stuff. Back when I was still operating it was all eyeballtaking the operating out of operating with all this laser level stuff. Back when I was still operating it was all eyeballYeah, my eyeballs have cost me a lot of extra hours pushing, I dont trust em anymore. If laser goes down, I just get a big dip of snuff, and watch for steady dribble out both corners of mouth, steady, even dribbles. randyp 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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