Red line performance

Low-cost tools and bumps and drops can push laser tool performance past the limits of accuracy.

Laser layout tools have been steadily improving in design, simplicity and value. High-end units continue to push the envelope of set-up ease, use and accuracy.

But there also several units pouring on the market that could give laser tools a bad name. These $29.95 wonders (sometimes even less) tempt users and concern manufacturers of professional quality laser tools.

“Low-cost tools are designed for the do-it-yourself market, generally have lower quality components and poorer accuracy than professional units,” says Mark Gordon, CST/berger national sales development manager.

Although some of the low-cost units have the same look as high-end models, that’s where the similarity ends, says Daniel Hill, vice president of sales and marketing at RoboToolz. “The accuracy of these units falls as price goes down,” he says, “They may be acceptable for short-range interior work, but if they are dropped, there is no way to recalibrate them so they are accurate. Their range also tends to be shorter.”

Computer analogy
The market for laser layout tools is much like the personal computer market, says Gordon. “Ten years ago, the average computer cost $2,500 and could do only a fraction of the things that a $399 computer can do today. The same is true in laser layout tools. Even with the high-quality units, prices are coming down and capabilities are increasing dramatically.

“The components used in the high-end tools offer great benefits over the low-cost tools. The lenses are a much higher quality and the diodes that produce the laser light are more powerful and built to last longer. For example, high-quality lasers are designed to operate for 10,000 hours, where low-cost units may last only 1,000 hours. The higher end units have glass lenses that project a clean, concentrated beam with a longer range of accuracy. Lower-powered lasers with plastic lenses can’t project as far and can’t produce a pinpoint dot,” he says.

Check accuracy
These layout tools should be treated with the same care that you would give a transit or other precision instrument. Hill suggests users check the tool’s accuracy before every set up. “It’s rather easy. Find a 50' wide area and set up the laser to be level on the near target, then shoot to the far target and make a mark. Next, move the laser unit to the far target, align to it and shoot back to the original target. If the tool is out of spec, it must be recalibrated. On most units, a professional shop must do it, but most RoboToolz models can be calibrated in the field,” he says.

Coming models
The competition in the laser layout market is driven by technology and companies continue to bring out new models that offer more. Here is a sampling of what the new tools offer and can do:

A. Lasermark Matrix laser:
This multi-beam tool combines the features of a line and dot laser that makes it a single unit that can be used for all layout tasks on a job. It has the brightest diodes in its class and is self-leveling. Horizontal accuracy is 3/8" at 100' range and can be used on interior and exterior jobs up to 150'. It comes with a laser line detector, target, glasses, trivet, Ni-MH batteries and charger and case. It’s also attractively priced for layout lasers in this class. Item 133

B. Dual Beam XP:
RoboToolz offers this model with a patented system that uses one tool with simultaneous level and plumb rotating lasers. A remote control allows users to position the level and plumb lines, which makes it handy for dropped ceiling installation and other jobs that require an offset from the original point. This reduces set-up time and improves accuracy. The unit is accurate to +/-1/8" at 100'. It also comes with an AC/DC adapter, rod bracket, enhancement glasses, target, user guide and kit box. Item 134

Published in the July/August 2006 issue of Contractor Tools and Supplies magazine.

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